I won't go into all that she taught me but you should never again read that I am having trouble posting pictures! Debbie, I will be forever grateful...I may even get caught up on my sleep!
Today was so much fun! Duane, Debbie, Glenn and I started the day by going to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in Sturgis SD. There they display antique, classic, rare, and unusual motorcycles dating from 1900 through 2010. The museum also chronicles the sport and lifestyles of motorcycling.
Now I know some of you are asking "why would they want to go there since they don't own or ride a motorcycle"? It's simple...the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an international phenomenon and is one of the world's oldest and largest motorcycle gatherings. It is held 1 week every August drawing motorcycle legends, superstars and around 800,000 people each year. It is also listed as one of the "1,000 Places to See Before you Die"! Need I say more! Ha! Anyway, while we were at the Museum, Glenn recognized Michael Ballard, the owner of Full Throttle Saloon who is also the host of a TV Reality Show that takes place the week of the Motorcycle Rally. This is one of those cases where I'm glad that Glenn is such a diverse TV viewer (that means he is always changing channels!). We had pictures taken with him and then decided to drive out to the Full Throttle Saloon. What a trip! They, of course, and the town are getting ready for the Rally and the whole place is unbelieveable! We laughed, acted silly (like the 4 of us tend to do!) and were really glad we decided to make that one of our "adventures"! Obviously, the people who were working there knew that we were "out of place"!
We left Sturgis and headed to Deadwood SD and Kevin Costner's restaurant, Midnight Star and Diamond Lil's for a late lunch. Movie paraphernalia from all of his hits, including Dances With Wolves, is a major part of the decor. And the food was good too! Deadwood is the town of the 1876 Gold Rush with thousands looking to make it rich and "where legends lived and died". The entire town is a registered National Historic Landmark! After lunch, and walking the streets, we went to the Adams Museum, where artifacts are on display from Deadwood's notorious past...lots on Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane! Then we toured the Adams House, an elegant 1892 Victorian Mansion with quite a history! Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photographs in the museum (other than the entrance) or house. We wrapped up our Deadwood tour with a trip to Mt. Moriah Cemetery where some of the West's most flamboyant characters now "rest in peace".
On the way back to Spearfish we detoured to the town of Lead, a historic mining town. The town was founded during the 1876 Gold Rush and was the site of one of the richest gold veins ever unearthed. The Homestake Gold Mine, which closed in 2002, was recognized as the oldest, largest and deepest mine in the Western hemisphere, reaching more than 8,000 feet below the town. Unfortunately the museum was closed but we were able to see the gigantic Open Cut where gold was first discovered and where it was last mined.
Did I say it was a fun day!!! It was...and we all laughed so hard we hurt!!!
Town of Sturgis and Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame
Glenn with Michael Ballard of Full Throttle Saloon
Full Throttle Saloon
Bear Butte (an "almost volcano", pioneer landmark, and holy mountain and founding place of religion for several tribes of Plains Indians) and leaving Sturgis.
Deadwood SD
Lead SD
Thanks Duane and Debbie for making this such a fun day!
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