“My Pilgrimage to Sturgis” is a multi-part story
chronicling my trip to the 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Week.
Part VI – Heading Home and Final Notes:
After three glorious days in The Black Hills, it was time
to head home. As we did on the way out,
we split the return trip in half, stopping at Badlands National Park on the
way. The Badlands is another area I
visited on my family trips as a kid, and it is probably the one area that made an
impact during my childhood visits. The
Badlands is a gorgeous, harsh environment, full of prairieland, and sharp,
desolate desert mountains. It’s also a
geologist’s paradise, full of fossils, giving a rich history of the Earth’s
evolution. And contrary as it may sound,
it’s also a tribute to God’s design.
We paused at many roadside stops, which provided
tremendous scenic views and gave brief historical stories of the area. We walked around and climbed some of the
hills in areas where tourists are welcome to explore. This is another instance where words can’t
quite do justice to the experience. In a
small geographic region, we transitioned from rich mountains to plains to a
stark relatively desert-like environment.
The Badlands are worth a full day of exploration, but if you do so,
please make sure to bring plenty of water.
You can spend an entire day adventuring, but you need to plan ahead.
The Badlands
Overall, the trip was wonderful. It was a trip down memory lane. My wife and I forged some great
memories. I tested my skill and endurance
as a motorcycle rider. I also learned to
appreciate well-maintained roads. (The
roads in Iowa SUCK compared to Minnesota and South Dakota.) I soaked in the sights and smells in a way
that you can only experience on a motorcycle.
I appreciated the fact that it didn’t rain at all while I was
riding. I experienced wildlife that I
may never see again. I was surrounded by
hundreds of thousands of fellow riders seeking the same memories. I learned that I, while technically could do
this type of ride on a Sportster, I would probably have enjoyed things more on
a touring bike. I was reminded that life
isn’t about things; it’s about relationships and experiences.
2 comments:
Bravo!!!!!! Thanks for the enjoyment of letting us ride along with you!!
It's been an enjoyable experience and I'm really glad you took an extended bike trip. My baby Brother, Charlie, has a touring bike and he and his Best Pal of 30 years(John-I call him our adopted brother) went on their trip they've talked about since they were 10 years old- From Coast- to coast. Charlie rode from South Carolina to Florida, where John lives....then from there they made the journey across the nation to California. in a week. I havent got to talk to him to see how it went- but I plan to do so in a couple of days.
It's all about making Memories- to live instead of just making a living. Right?
Would love to ride across the country. My retirement goal is to travel the country in and RV with the wife, towing my motorcycle. On nice days, she'll drive the camper and I'll ride.
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