Sturgis, South Dakota

It was raining when we left Devil's Tower KOA this morning. We kept our speed between 60-65mph on the I-90. For the past two weeks we have seen thousands of motorcycles. No wonder! It was Rally Week in Sturgis. We heard reports that there were 400,000 in attendance. We just had to go into Sturgis and see what it was all about. Amye's brother was there, but he had already left. MacDonald's lot was so full of motorcycles, we had to park across the street at a business.

Proof We Were There!

Sitting under cover from the rain were four motorcyclists. They told us they were from Houston, TX. We had a wonderful time exchanging stories. They wanted to see the inside of our rigs, so we invited them into the Happy Turtle and The Road Runner to have a peek at motor home living. One of the guys called his wife in Houston and was telling her all about us. She told him she wanted to join us! There were also two younger couples from Colorado sitting under cover also. The TTT's having fun with our Motorcycle Friends!

Vickie, and I am sorry to say I didn't get all your names, took the above picture. Wish she were in it, too. She was so cute! We wished them a safe and happy travels on their bikes as they head to Yellowstone National Park. We are headed for the KOA at Mt. Rushmore.

I did a dumb thing today. I charged the camera battery to make sure I could get some pictures at the Crazy Horse Monument. We signed up to take the shuttle bus from the campground to the monument to see the night laser show. Guess who forgot to put the battery in the camera? So I don't have any pictures to post. It was very cool sitting out on the viewing veranda! I can tell you there have been changes at the monument, but not so much on the carving since I last saw it 6 years ago. The changes are all in the buildings, entrance and parking lot. Since it is not support be neither the federal or state governments, all funds come from public donations, admission, sales in the gift shop and food concessions. The Memorial contains an orientation center with twin theaters, the Indian Museum of North America, Education & Conference Center, Tipi-Museum, Native American Culture Center, Sculptor's Log-Studio Home and Workshop, Crazy Horse 1/34th Model and a veranda for viewing the laser lighting show. Quite a place. The future plans include an Indian University of North America and Medical Training Center and Avenues of the Chiefs. It's a remarkable place.

They are currently working on the 22-story-high horse's head. The painted outline shows the 45-foot ear and the 16-foot-wide eye, some 260 feet below the head of Crazy Horse. When finished, it will be the world's largest sculpture. Mt. Rushmore would fit in Crazy Horse's head!

Tomorrow our plans include Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore.

To our motorcycle friends...Thanks for a fun morning!

The TTT's ...we keep on going.