Loooong day 5

Decided to go to the Badlands today...Google's "avoid highway" route is no joke. So the only way to get from one little town to another little town is through even smaller towns with cool names like Red Shirt, Porcupine, Scenic, and Interior-population 94. We stopped in Interior at a bar to leave our mark (on a dollar bill in the bar), and meet Double-wide, the bull. 

We finally made it to the Badlands and rode through to see the ages-old formations. It's amazing to me what a beautiful and diverse planet we live on. We even recreated our pic from five years ago. 

We stopped in to Wall, SD and then headed home. Made it back to camp, logged 310 miles, and bonus(!) missed all the storms!

Monday, Day 4

We woke up this morning and figured out our plan for the day. We were on the road by 8:45 AM in order to try and fit everything in. I was surprised that so many bikers were already on the road. Hit up Rapid City HD, then downtown Sturgis for the "main event". While the boys walked around a bit (this boot is really limiting my walking) the girls sat and people-watched, with wine! We then navigated through the throngs of scantily clad people (of all shapes and sizes) to head up to Deadwood. The amount of people in the Black Hills for this rally is unbelievable! 

We ended up back in Sturgis to check out Full Throttle Saloon and have dinner. It's everything the TV show makes it out to be, and more. A real playground for bikers. (Took some pics, but they aren't what you'd call "blog friendly"). A select group got a tiny preview via text, and for that, you're welcome. ;)

Day 3, part 2

As it turns out, I posted yesterday's blog too soon! Once we got back to camp and relaxed a bit (with beverages) we ended up going back through the wilderness loop to see what might be there. We had heard that early morning or early evening were good times to see buffalo. Since we know that the early morning viewing ain't happening, we went around 7pm and saw a HUGE heard of buffalo grazing and trying to cross the street. Very cool! It's really pretty amazing how big (and ornery, yet tame enough to put up with hundreds of gawkers) they are! 

We got back to camp and threw some steaks on the grill. Had a nice little campfire with marshmallows and decided to call it a night. 

Sturgis vacay day 3

Since days 1.5 were spent in a truck, then the last half of day two was a sleepy haze through the wilderness loop, we were finally able to make it out of camp and see stuff on day three! Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Hill City, then finishing it off with a ride through Needles Highway. 

Beautiful riding weather today!! Lots of bikes, sights, and sun for the 75th anniversary Sturgis rally.

Sturgis 2015

Five years later and we're headed back! Can't wait to see what we'll get in to at the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Stay tuned... 

Laundry with Lou Lou

Just about every weekend Lou Lou tries to give me money for doing her laundry. The convo is usually the same, but today's was particularly amusing.

LL: look under the clock and get some money.

Me: no

LL: please, sugar, it's the least I can do. 

Me: I'm not taking your money, Lou Lou.

LL: but it's just a little bit. You can buy a Co-Cola. 

Me: I don't want a Coke.

LL: well, then you can get a Pepsi.

Me: I definitely don't want that! 

Pepsi might be born in the Carolinas, but Coke Is It!

Buddy's new ride

Buddy and Bailey, aka 'the boys', will be 11 years old this month. I know they aren't young pups anymore, but I wasn't prepared for just how quickly Buddy would age. Over the past nine months or so, Buddy has slowly lost the use of his hind legs. It's a disease called degenerative myelopathy, or DM, a disease of the spinal cord that starts with his hind legs and progresses to the rest of his body over time. There isn't any medication for this, but luckily, he isn't in any pain.

We've been researching doggie wheelchairs. There are several types available, but most just didn't seem right for Buddy's needs and size. So, Jim built one. We determined what a basic design would need to look like and he made it come to life. It took us longer to purchase the supplies from Lowe's than it did for him to actually make it! When we put Buddy in it and he took some steps, I couldn't help but cry. Tears of sadness that he needs this assistance, tears of happiness that he was able to use it and get around.

Here's a little video of Buddy sporting his new wheels. The corners are a bit tricky, but with chicken as the prize, he'll do pretty much anything!