Day Three - Dexter MN to Mount Rushmore, SD
Day Three got off to a late start as I was hurting from my
marathon day yesterday. I packed up and got some breakfast at the Perkins
in Blue Earth MN.
When
I crossed the South Dakota line I noticed that the first Exit number was 410.
This means that it is 410 Miles to the other end of South Dakota. Although
I was aware of the distances before I left on this trip, it does not really hit
you how big this country is until you cross the great plains. I was
lost in my own thoughts for most of the morning. Cruising at 85 with the
windshield up and trying to ignore the numbing pain that was radiating from my
Ass. The monster days of highway riding was starting to take its toll.
I found myself starting to stop with more frequency at the many rest stops along
route 90.
After Lunch I stopped at an overlook at the crossing of the Mighty Missouri River. I took notice of the signs at the overlook to beware of the rattle snakes along the path. Needless to say I kept looking around as I took this Picture.
Just after crossing the Missouri River the Winds started hauling out of the North. I would guess the wind was at a steady 25 to 30 MPH with an occasional gust of 40. This made for a very difficult ride. I had to keep leaning my bike into the wind on my right side. I had to reduce speeds which only served to prolong this day. I did have beautiful scenery as you can see.
About mid afternoon I made it to Wall SD the home of Wall Drug. This is a pretty interesting place as it is the biggest tourist trap I have ever seen. Lots of cheap western style clothing made in China.
By the end of the day I made it to a campground just three miles from Mt Rushmore. I settled in and started a fire. I was sitting there thinking that this was really cool that I was camping again. This would change as the temperature dropped to 38 degrees this night. I was not prepared for this temperature. I kept adding clothing and jackets but none of them seemed to get me warm. Finally in the morning I looked at the time on my blackberry and saw 7 AM. In my sleep deprived stupor I did not realize that I had not changed this time to reflect mountain time. It was 7 AM on the east coast but it was 5 AM in South Dakota. After I took a HOT shower and was packed up I caught my mistake. At this point I was already up and packed so I decided to get going.
Day One - Marlborough MA to Ashtabula OH
Day Two - Ashtabula to Dexter, MN
Day Three - Dexter MN to Mount Rushmore, SD
Day Four - Mount Rushmore, SD to West Yellowstone, MT
Day Five - West Yellowstone, Mt to Logan, UT
Day Six - Logan, UT to Cedar City UT
Day Seven - Cedar City UT to Williams. AZ
Day Eight - Williams, AZ to Durango, CO
Day Nine - Durango, CO to Amarillo, TX
Day Ten - Amarillo, TX to Little Rock, AR
Day Eleven - Little Rock AR to Cordova TN
Day Twelve through Fifteen - Memphis, TN