Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Day 27 - July 08, 2015


Downtown Sturgis, SD - before the 75th Anniversary begins.



A happy T-shirt buyer.



Mt. Rushmore required photo.



Wall Drug Store - Wall, SD.  Much to see.



 South Dakota


July 08, 2015.  Overnight in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Pop. 170,000). Traveled east all day.


This morning we rushed to get our tasks behind us so we could see those things and places we wanted to visit before we left the area.  After leaving Deadwood we headed to Sturgis, a short ride (10 miles or so), where we did a ride through of the town.  The fixed vendors were preparing for the big event (75th annual motorcycle gathering – A million bikes are expected.), and some of the enthusiast were riding the streets.  I am not sure if the motorcycle riders we saw came early to stay for the gathering, or if they were like us, just passing through.  We fueled the bikes, Larry bought tee shirts, and we were quickly on our way.

Mount Rushmore is approximately 25 miles away so that was our next stop. Although it was early in the morning the parking lots were nearing capacity, and once we got to the viewing area of the memorial we were confronted with a mass of people.  We made the requisite photos, quickly went through the book/gift shop, and then we were again headed to the bikes.

We navigated our way back to I-90, which is the best way to cross the state from this point, and we were again headed east.  A hundred miles east of our starting point for the day is Wall Drug Store, in Wall, South Dakota.  Wall Drug Store is the biggest tourist shopping “store” in all of the Midwest, and possibly all of the US.  All approaching and connecting interstates for 300 miles from Wall Drug Store has teaser signage beckoning the shopper to stop at Wall Drug Store.  There are hundreds of signs, placed at infrequent intervals, all along the interstates.  These signs apparently are most effective as there were thousands of vehicles, campers, motorcycles, etc. parked over several acres near the downtown Wall area.  There is ample street parking too, but these were mostly filled. 

After leaving Wall we were back on the road again.  The rest of the day was spent riding on the interstate (I-90).  South Dakota is the 5th least populated state and the plains are extensive.  The last photo included with this posting is representative of the days viewing.

Another good day.

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