As it turned out, we had a 10-20 mile headwind from the East and threatening rain most of the day. As we would learn later in the week, headwinds are more difficult than hills because they never let up.....one pedals all the time with no rest. So this short ride wound up being a long ride into a headwind.
Like every day, there were unexpected surprises along the way and some good scenery. We did make it into Wall in time to visit Wall Drug. Here are a few pictures along the way:
Barry and Colin checking out the weather as we leave Rapid City - looks like rain!
Making Hay along the way! Lewis and Clark said no one could live off this Dakota land. Settlers have proved them wrong many times over with widespread agriculture and the lush farms of South Dakota. Hay for livestock is most visible. Wheat, corn, soybeans every where you look. This pic shows some interesting haystacks on the Road to Wall along the service road at I-90 East.
Power Lines across the Prairie
Spring Wheat laying in rows
Riding the big rollers near Ellsworth AFB! We had a whole series of rollers (up and down hills) for the first 30 miles. Here we had just passed the main entrance to Ellsworth Air Force Base. We could hear the large aircraft coming in an out of Ellsworth (but couldn't see them for the cloud cover).
Old Fashion Haystacks. I'm not sure how the farmers pile the hay in these big old style haystacks that are 20 feet high. We have seen very few of these so I couldn't resist a picture.
Barry at our only SAG stop this day. Barry is not actually the world's smallest biker, but we couldn't resist this picture
After the SAG, a stop at the Wickesville Community Church. We came upon this small country church at an intersection. Hardly a community, just a crossroad. (Barry and Russell Goins shown here)
We were compelled to go inside the Church. It was a little country church with enough pews to hold about 50 people. Nonetheless, we felt like were in a cathedral in Europe. We offered a prayer for the continued safety of our small band of travelers and our families and friend back home. We had this great feeling of well being as we departed. The Black Rocket and Mellow Yellow (Barry's Bike) took a little break as well.
Swallows at the Wicksville Church. As we walked out of the church, we were greeted by what seemed like hundreds of swallows that had built their nests around the church eves. Here you can see a few of the nests. It reminded us of Capistrano and how the swallows return every year at the appointed date. We wondered it the same was true for Wicksville. We took this as a favorable omen for our trip and were glad we had been guided to this spot.
Barry departing the Church - The sun appears
Across the Street from the Church - What a South Dakota View! (looks like the skies are clearing)
Onward to Wall, South Dakota
The first of some 40 billboards advertising Wall Drug. Wall Drug is a huge old-time store. Although designed catch tourists (billboards like this), it has many diverse offerings that are interesting (e.g. cowboy orchestras, art galleries, western relics, dinosaurs, mining exhibits, covered wagons, waterpark, etc, etc). These certainly draw a large crowd of tourists to Wall.
Climbing the Big Hill into Wall. This seemed like a 10 mile hill into a 20 mph headwind, just to get to wall. We kept saying "this Wall Drug better be worth it"
 |
| Buffalo Burgers!! That's worth a stop in Wall! |
Wall Drug at last! Wall Drug was opened in 1931 by Ted Hustead and wife Dorothy. Over the years they built this into a multi-million business that has put Wall, South Dakota on the map. On a good summer day, they will draw over 20,000 people. Ted Hustead said Wall Drug taught him his greatest lesson that there is no place on God's earth that Godforsaken, not even Wall, South Dakota. You go Ted!!
Barry and Buffalo. After our previous day at Wind Cave Park, we were in a buffalo mood. We were taken by the big buffalo's in Wall Drug (among a few other things).
We checked into the hotel that night - ominous weather pending for our Weds ride to Pierre. Thanks for tuning in to our trip to Wall. We are working our way across South Dakota. Tomorrow we go to Pierre (the state Capital).
Love to All,
ME
No comments:
Post a Comment