Spokane Bob left for WA. this morning and Gray to FL. After prayer with all for God’s traveling mercy we headed out on 385 S with the wind against our cheeks as the sun peers through the treetops, reflecting off near by streams and lakes. There was the smell of campfires as we rode through the valleys of the Black Hills. Going out  16 A over to Needles Highway (87 S). At the the Needles Eye there was a slight delay due to a tour bus. Check out the photo below. The highway is laced with rock formation, sweeping turns and tight curves with speed limits of 5 & 10 mph.  Leaving Needles Hwy.back to 385 S  which allowed us to ride through Wind Cave Park. In the park we saw buffalo and prairie dogs. Continuing on 385 S we stopped in Hot Spring, SD for lunch at a place called The Vault (mom and pop). Then on to 30 W, 19 S, 113 S, 138 S and I-76 before getting to Fort Morgan, CO.. The landscape in southern South Dakota, western Nebraska, and eastern Colorado  all look the same. There was rolling hills with  shades of greens, yellows and browns , open ranges and a occasional stream or farm pond. It is still beautiful as part of God’s Creation. Everyone who has left the group is safe and dry tonight.

Paul saddling up for the days ride

Spokane Bob and Gary

Needles Eye

Rose,Sonya, Michele and Marsha.

Mike,Rick,Don R., David and Don.

Traffic jam.

Sweet dreams in Hot Springs.

Hot Springs, SD.

Wind Cave Park, SD

Hot Springs

Mike, Michele and David

Don, Sonya and David

Michele and Sonya

Big MIke

Michele with her little friend.

Hill City, SD.

Birthday Rick

Don and Sundance Kid

Devils Tower, WY.

Springfield, MO.

Rail Haven

Springfield, MO.

The Wild Flower Rose.

Spokane Bob

After saying our until the next times and be safe to Tony, Anna, Coop and Randy we headed to Sturgis. This year is the 75th anniversary of The Sturgis Rally. We spend most of the day in town and had a great time in fellowship. We had a good meal @ The Easyrider Restaurant. Tomorrow Spokane Bob will beheading back to WA. and Gary to FL.. We will be going to Fort Morgan, CO.. After see God’s creation and artwork here in Black Hills area, it reminds me just how powerful and amazing he truly is. God’s speed until the next time.

Michele with Wild Bill

Wild Bill Hickok

Tony and Anna

Coop and Randy

This morning we rode out to cool temps. going back 385 to 17. We where going to Hill City to ride the 1880 Train which is powered by a steam locomotive. It is a 20 mile run between Hill City and Keystone SD.. The engine that powered the train was # 110, which was used in the TV series Deadwood.  We learned that The Black Hills run 120 miles North to South and 60 miles East to West. The name Black Hills came from the Lakota Indians because they appeared black from a distance. The Ponderosa Pine is the main tree for the area. Afterwards we has lunch @ The Bump’in Buffalo before heading back to Deadwood. This evening we took the Boothill City Tour were we learned about Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and the town of Deadwood. Later we had dinner at The Midnight Star (owned by Kevin Costner). We walked around Deadwood before calling it a night. Tony and Anna will be leaving tomorrow for PA. while Coop and Randy for GA., please keep them in your prayers as they travel. Though Friday some may be leaving the fellowship and memories will always be there. Makes me think what will other’s memories of us might be. Will ours be one that reflected Christ through our words and actions.

Sundance Kid

Lucky from Texas

Myles from North Caroline

This morning’s ride started with sunshine and cool temps. Leaving Deadwood for Wyoming riding out 90 to 14 stopping first in Sundance, WY. to check out a local museum and to take some pictures with Sundance Kid. Went to the local Harley dealer where we met Myles a young man from Jacksonville, NC. riding a (89) 883 Sporty with a 1200 big bore kit. He was riding solo on his way to Washington State to visit his grandmother. Second individual we met Lucky a 65 year old lady from Cleveland, TX. also riding solo on a (12) Street Glide. She had been to Oregon and was now on her way to Lead, SD. to help a friend. We now headed out 24 to Devils Tower, the scenery was just beautiful rolling hills with shades of green and yellow. The mountains in the distance with blacks, browns and hues of gray.There were areas with plateaus, cliffs, cattle and a occasional deer. After the tower we came out on WY.24 to SD. 34 then riding 85 S into Spearfish,SD.. Our final ride for the day was through Spearfish Canyon with flowing streams and water falls. As sun bounced off the canyon walls you noticed colors of blacks, browns, grays, with some shade of red and pink. The day was a great time riding, of fellowship and enjoying God’s creation. Like the Sun has shined on our face may God’s light shine on your heart.

We left this morning riding out on Hwy. 385 under cloudy skies and chilly temps. Going through the Black Hills our first stop was Pactola Reservoir then on to Hwy. 16 A to Keystone.  Then 244 to Mount Rushmore to check out the faces of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. Afterwards continued on 16 A The Iron Mountain Road to Custer State Park. This road has curves that you can see your backside before getting through the curve. In the park we saw black pronghorn antelopes, deer, wild flowers and the king of prairie The Buffalo. At this time there are 1300 buffalo in current heard, next year there will be 1500. They have over 77.000 acres to roam on in the park. Leaving the park we headed north on Hwy. 85 then on to 16 A in to Custer. Riding Hwy 16 to 385 back to Deadwood. We went to town for dinner before calling it a night. May God bless you with joy and peace.

New friend Logan from Michigan

We left this morning by crossing the Missouri River with a chill in the air and fog rolling in all around us. Riding out 90 West we stopped just outside of Pierre, SD. (state capital). We meet Gary Miller a local rancher who owned 13,000 acres, 700 cattle. He and two other individuals with one dog worked the land. After our conversation with Gary we headed to The Badlands loop (240 W). Prior to entering the park we stopped at a 1900’s Sod Homestead. Paul made a new friend (Mr Billy), we also saw prairie dogs, farm structures and early century farm tools. Riding through the Badlands we where amazed with the every changing formations, colors the open ranges known as Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Leaving there we went to Wall, SD. home of Wall Drugs were we had lunch (mostly Buffalo Burgers). Then down to Black Hills Harley Davidson in Rapid City ( a little shopping for some). Then we rode out 14 A into the Black Hills through sweeping curves with sun reflecting off a near by river, cool temps. as a breath of fresh air letting us know we have arrived. In Deadwood we met up with David Cooper, Randy Alexander, Tony and Anna (friends from East Brady, Pa.).Today’s ride reminded me that God’s creation and artwork. has stood the test of time and man. Lets me know that his love is true today as it was then. We all are very thankful for his protection and guidance he has shown us through out our travels to date. Today we rode 287 miles before reaching Deadwood.

Gary Miller (Rancher)

Cowboy Mike

Paul’s new friend

Michele and Don @ the Sod Home.

Michele at Wall Drugs

Don R. after running 80 mph.

Corn Palace

Corn Palace

Michele and Don

Rose and Rick

Rose and Michele with Uncle Ezke

Sonya and David

Gary,Paul , Marsha and Don R.

Sonya and David with Uncle Ezke

Left Council Bluff @ 8:50 am up I 29 which was lined with more flat farmlands with old power poles dotting the landscape. The sun peered over the distant mountains which were stained by the morning clouds. Arriving in the Northwest corner of Iowa the scenery changed to rolling hills with farmlands and cattle. Stopped for lunch in Sioux City, SD. for lunch and the Sun was in full swing by this time, temps already in the 90’s. Brother David try to fine a opened Harley dealership but all closed for the 4th. Riding west on 90 to Mitchell, SD. home of The Corn Palace , which today is know for its mosaic artwork (it takes a 100 acres of corn to make these designs). I took time out to ride a giant rabbit before leaving Mitchell. Continuing out 90 to Chamberlain, SD. where we are spending the night again next to Missouri River. Today’s mileage was 320. We truly have been blessed with God’s grace and protection during our travels. The lesson is that sometimes you have to remove yourself from a situation in order to show someone grace. We are instructed in God’s word that we must demonstrate grace and forgiveness to our brothers and sisters in this life as he does us. May the Lord bless you with his love and grace.

We left Springfield around 8:00 am with a slight chill in the air. Traveling up Hwy. 65 N to 44 W. then taking 13 N to Clinton, MO. which carried us to Hwy. 7 N into Harrisonville, MO.. Getting on 71 N to Kansas City, MO. taking 435 N around to 29 N. . The country side today was rolling farmlands scattered with small ponds along with a few cattle farms here and there. We arrived in Council Bluff, IA. this evening after riding 367 miles today. The hotel we are staying in is on the Missouri River across from Omaha, NE.. Michele, Don R. and Marsha watched the fireworks from across the river in honor of July 4th. We hope all had a safe and great 4th, remember freedom is not free. This brings to mind that our choices that we make good or bad have a price. Most of all Jesus Christ paid the price for us all. What choice have you made? May God be the light for the roads you travel in life.

Left Paducah under cloudy skies riding out on Hwy. 60 crossing the Ohio River. That is were we went to the place called the Point. This is were the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers come together. Due to the all the rain we could only look from a far (road was flooded). We took a slight detour on Hwy 51 N to 57 S then we where back on 60. We stopped  in Bloomfield, MO the home of Stars and Stripes Newspaper, we also took time to check out their museum. Traveling down the 4 lane to Van Buren, MO. we had lunch @ a Mom & Pop restaurant called The Floating Stream (John this was another great meal). Took 103 to Big Springs which is the largest underground spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It pumps out 282 million gallons an hour.. Rode through Mark Twain National forest and Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Seeing God’s beauty and power in his creation reminds us how amazing he his. We are staying at Rail Haven Motel which the at the birth place of route 66, (Michele a little star struck for Elvis stayed here his in the day). 307 miles today. God’s Speed may his glory keep warmth in your heart.

We left this morning around  7:00 am to meet everyone at Cracker Barrel on Hwy. 20 in Cartersville. After breakfast we headed up 75N t0 24W . Rode to Clarksville, TN. where we went to Appleton Harley Davidson. Our stay there was extended due to the rain. After appox. an hour and half we headed out on Hwy. 41A to Hwy.79 where we encounter another rain delay. Finally made it to The Land Between The Lakes which ran north to Kentucky with rolling hills, slow sweeping curves, deer and a occasional turkey followed by a squadrons of large dragon flies. If in the area it is worth the ride. Made it to Paducah, KY. late this evening. Rode 400 miles today , leaving for Springfield, MO. in the am. Despite the weather and delays we were still blessed by our God to enjoy the fellowship and laughter of each other which gave us the sonshine we needed.