We have an adventure we’d like to share with Dixie Biker readers. Back in 2005 we went to Sturgis for the first time and had the best vacation of our lives – or so we thought. When we got back home I told Stinky, “We’re going back in ‘07, even if we have to sell the house!” Guess what? We went back to Sturgis this summer, even added a side trip to Yellowstone National Park (thanks, Steve!), and we still have the house.
Sturgis 2007
Soon after are arrival, we hit the streets of Sturgis and surrounding areas which brought back many fond memories. Stinky and I have been to lots of Florida events and in other states, but I got to tell ya, “There is no substitute even close to Sturgis.” The people the sights, the smell, and the sounds of Sturgis make you proud top be a biker! And the riding in the Black Hills is among the best in America! If you’ve dreamed about going to Sturgis but haven’t pulled the trigger, Get your ass out there. We promise you’ll never forget it.
Anyway, on Saturday and Sunday we rode our asses off trying to cram in as much shit as we could with our Sturgis virgin friends: Mark, Trish, Ray, Joey and Lenny. On Saturday it was lots of saddle time as we made stops at Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Keystone, and Iron Mountain road then back to camp for some tasty adult beverages and chow. Early Sunday morning we set out for Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, then out Hwy 585 which is an awesome ride with pigtail roads and wooden bridges which leads you to Deadwood. Stinky did her thing such as feed the slots and the boys and I fed our thirsts and bellies. Befor heading back to camp we went up to Mt. Moriah to the cemetary were Wild Bill Hickock is laid to rest. What a view.
On Monday we set out for Yellowstone to meet some of our scooter trash family. Eleven hours later, at 80 mph on I-90, we arrived with sore asses, tired and hungry. I’ve got to give it up to Joey who hasn’t ridden in awhile and made the long ride on a borrowed Fatboy - thanks Ray. It was certainly not the best way to get back into riding - an 11 hour journey on the superslab.
After a good meal and a good night’s sleep we got back on our bikes to ride out to explore Yellow-stone. Man, we rode all day and still didn’t see all of the park. It was absolute sensory overload! On just one day’s ride we saw so many wild animals, including ourselves, it was amaz-ing. We saw elk, deer, grizzly bear, moose, and buffalo. And we didn’t have to venture onto backwoods trails to see them, either. They’d just be grazing or walking along the side of the roads. It was kinda scary considering we were on bikes and the people in cars would stop with “Uhs and ahs” and create huge traffic jams. Cousin Steve thought a few times that the buffalo wanted to mate with his ride.
The sheer size and scope of Yellowstone National Park is just so hard to put into words. And pictures just can’t seem to do it justice, either. On our ride we took in Old Faithful geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, lush meadows, mountains and deserts, all in one place. This is truly God’s creation. Ray, our fearless leader, especially enjoyed the Springs at the Hwy 44 parallel. There’s simply too much to see in such a short time. On Wednesday it was back to Sturgis,
Steve, Ray, Joey, and Lenny with Stinky on the back, planned a route back that included some different scenery. We rode from Yellowstone – which was 42 degrees at 7 a.m.! – through Cody, Shell, and over the Bighorn Mountains. And, man, just when you thought you have seen it all it gets even better! Oh, by-the-way: if anyone found a helmet in Sundance, Wyoming please send it back. It was Stinky’s, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
With the traveling out of the way, the rest of the trip was spent doing what we do best: eatin’, drinkin’ and lookin’ at lots and lots of boobs! In ‘05 we’d stayed at Glenco Campground, but this year we stayed at Days End Campground. It was great, especially since there were no assholes doing burn outs all night long. It was very clean with great
showers and real bathrooms with toilets that flushed - no holes in the ground here. As you get a little older you tend to enjoy some small comforts and they attended to those. They also have a big beer barn with entertainment nightly and two dollar beers. You can’t beat that after a long day’s ride. It’s recommended by us - lifestyles of the broke and horney. Back home in Citrus County, while reminiscing about this year’s great adventure, I told Stinky we’re going back for my 50th birthday. She said, “Ride on!”
I’m sure we’ll be seeing ya on the rode as there are many great rides and events coming up here in our own neck of the woods, Hope to meet ya out there.
PS – If you found my helmet bring it with ya to the next event! Love, Stinky.
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By T-shirt Gary and Stinky
