Day 21 - Entering South Dakota: Raibows, T-Boomers, and Bowling Alley Dining

We start with a shot from our motel room last night in Lusk, S.D., after a quick, rolling thunderstorm passed through right after our outdoor pizza dinner (good timing).  Note not only the beautiful rainbow, which was a double at times, but also the sheets of rain against the gray-brown clouds.

We awoke at 4:18 am this morning to a flash of lightening and a huge thunderclap that brought more morning rain.  Starting out on the wet pavement at about 6:30 or earlier, most bikers were relieved to find the storms had finally passed, leaving only their remnants and some beautiful filters for the sun to shine through in the early hours.

The morning travel was fantastic!  The roads dried quickly, the winds were favorable, and a lot of flat or downhill travel made for some record-breaking riding times.  Here's fellow PDX-er Drew along with new Canadian friend Fred at a photo-op in the day's first half.  A good time was had by all enjoyng the rolling landscape and fantastic ride.

About 56 miles into the 93-mile day, we stopped for the sun to come out and to shine on our South Dakota State Line photo.  It's hard to see, but the sign in the background has a yellow outline of the four US Presidents atop Mt. Rushmore.

The day was not without team adventures, as shown by Greg and Don, giving it their Oregon/Duck best at changing a flat along the roadside.

Today also brought us time together with local citizens.  The photo below is of a Vietnam Veteran who built his modified Snapper-Chopper Hybrid and had it decorated  for a fly-by at our snack stop at a truck stop parking lot.  And it still cuts grass!

During the last part of our day, we ascended two beautiful climbs that took us to the beginnings of the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Hay harvest had recently happened, and here are a couple of shots of the cut fields and hay bales.  A gorgeous day!

Bowling alley Dining?  Yes!  No pics here, but tonight we dined at the Hot Springs SD Bowling Alley and Casino.  A buffet dinner was set up, and we spread out to eat amongst the bowling alleys themselves, sitting at the chairs at the end of each lane.   Don brought his lucky bowling socks just in case, but the lanes were too still tonight to disturb the quiet conversations about the ride today. 

Tomorrow - Journey to Rapid City, Chief Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mt. Rushmore.