Sturgis, SD #2

When we got back to our campsight the other night from Deadwood, Jim realized he had lost our Cadillac car keys. He thought he lost them in the parking lot of the visitor center at Deadwood. It was too long a ride to go back that night so he just decided to suck up the loss. Well on Wednesday we took a ride up to Rochford, SD which coincidentally took us through Deadwood. So we stopped at the visitor center (where we had previously parked the day before) and sure enough, our keys were sitting on the counter when I walked in. It was amazing with thousands of people visiting that town, that some thoughtful person turned them in. So we were pretty happy campers to be able to get our keys back. Then on to Rochford. It was a beautiful ride -- hills, streams, rolling pastures, etc. Rochford is an old abandoned gold mining town, located between Deadwood and Lead. It has a population of about 25 people now. Basically all that is left in the town is the Moonshine Gulch Saloon and a antique store known as Rochford Mall. An old school has been restored over the years and serves as a senior center. The Moonshine Gulch is a draw to people who enjoy music and of course a cold beer. They serve hamburgers and french fries. As you can see from the 2nd pic above, it draws all kinds of different people. It is owned by a lady who bought the saloon about 31 years ago. Apparently every afternoon there is a one man guitar player and on Sundays it is a draw for local musicians to come and jam. The saloon was packed with junk and hats (see pics above). The hats serve as a guestbook of sorts and come from all over. There are dollar bills stapled to the ceiling as well as business cards stabled to the wall. We even saw a UNLV business card stapled on the wall next to the booth we sat in. (Our son went to UNVL). After our visit to Moonshine Gulch, we went on to ride the Spearfish Canyon ride. It is a really beautiful ride and a very popular ride during the rally. We stopped in the Spearfish Canyon Lodge and split a sandwich and ice tea out on the back porch and took in the surrounding beauty. Overall a great day! Thursday morning our friend, Ed Steckler, arrived from Fredericksburg. He had driven all night so he was ready to crash for the day once he got set up. Jim and I went in to town that morning to check out vendors and pick up a few things from the grocery store. Since it is still pre-rally week, not all the vendors are set up yet, but we managed to pick up a few things. We ate lunch in town and came back to spend the afternoon at the pool here at the campground. We thought we were going to read all afternoon, but we met several people at the pool and spent the rest of the day, exchanging ride stories. They told us we need to do Mt. Rushmore in the evening. They have an evening show which is lit up and narrated that is a must see. Se we decided to put that on our agenda. Friday, me, Jim and Ed decided to check out this event at a place called Top 50 Rally RV park. (That's Jim and I in Pic above as we headed out of our campground). They had all kinds of vendors to include the Ridley motorcycle. If I ever get a motorcycle for myself, I decided it will be a Ridley because it is automatic. We we tried out the Ridley (see Pic above) and I fell in love with it. They had a pink and white one that I'd really like to get. Meanwhile, our friend Ed, found these 18 wheeler motorhomes with trailers that haul 18 motorcycles. (see pic above). As you can see, it looks just like a regular 18 wheeler truck, but the inside of the motorhome looks like a Prevost. It has marble floors and granite countertops. It was pretty awesome. Anyway, we had a good time trying out stuff and rode back into the town of Sturgis. Ed had seen some Bikini bike washers when he had run into town earlier that morning. He decided he needed to get his bike washed! (see pic above). That evening, our friends Val and Ryan and Dean and Mary came over for happy hour and steaks on the grille. We had a wonderful evening enjoying good company and beautiful weather.