Sturgis - Black Hills Tour (Last Day)

Friday was the last day for us to ride the Black Hills before we headed back on Saturday.  We had planned to trim the trip home from 4 days to 3 days and stay on until Sunday, but after completing the trip up, Rhonda and I knew that simply wasn't feasible.  Having three 650 mile days back to back was not going to work.  So we had to squeeze as much as we could into the last day.  The weather cooperated as it was the best day of the trip so far.  It was perfectly sunny, cool and no forecast of rain!

We started heading south into Deadwood.  It is a cool town, but unfortunately walking around Deadwood is something Rhonda and i will have to leave to the next trip.  We only drove through on this go.  We continued on past Deadwood toward Hill City in search of the Prairie Berry Winery for some Red Ass Wine.  We had seen the signs for it and also seen the ads for their Rhubarb and Raspberry Wine.  No way it could be any good we thought, but we had to try it right?

We stopped at the winery along with several other bikers and proceeded to try the wine.  I guess it won't win any awards, and I know Rhonda and I are not wine connoisseurs, but we shipped a case of it home! We really liked it.  It will be perfect sitting on the deck or porch in the summer time.  So when we get home, we will have a case of wine waiting on us.  How strange is it that we came to a biker rally and ended up shipping wine home?

After that, we headed to the Crazy Horse Memorial.  You can read more about that and the town of Custer in another blog entry here: Link to Blog Entry.

We also rode Needles Highway/Road.  And you can read more about that here: Link to Another Blog Entry.

Beware of non-existant buffalos

We met up with Sherry and Rich and drove through Custer State Park in search of buffalo.  We weren't lucky enough to see any buffalo, but we did see some prairie dogs and a ton of wild donkeys.  In fact, one time we topped a small hill and immediately in front of us in the middle of the road were 2 donkeys. just standing there.  Looking at us like we were out of place.  And I think we were!  It was a good run through the wildlife loop even without the buffalo.  Some good roads and some great views.  Maybe next time the buffalo will cooperate.

We turned the bikes toward Rapid City and on to Spearfish.  That was it for riding the Black Hills.  But I think we did about as much as we could in the days we had.  Tomorrow is the ride home.  I will be happy to get home, and happy to see so many sights on the way home, but I will always wonder what things the Black Hills hold that I missed on this trip to Sturgis!