Sunrise was approximately 6:45am. We were up at 6am, watching the first light rise in the east. Coyotes yipped in the distance and I wondered just how far away they were.
It would be the first of several things – our first coffee, breakfast (scrambled eggs are possible using a plastic spoon when you forget the spatula).
We spent the morning experimenting with the GPS and also different apps to determine locations for the power meter we need to have installed. None of them worked very intuitively, but maybe it’s just me. It’s been SO nice staying out here and taking our time. We normally visit every year when we come to the Sturgis Rally, but it’s a good distance from where we camp. We only have an hour or so to explore our land and get acclimated with the town before we need to make tracks back to camp, usually in order to avoid weather that’s headed our way.
So today it was off in search of electric fence supplies and stakes to secure the trailer in heavy winds that are expected in this region. We went to Running’s in Belle Fourche, very similar to our newly discovered Rural King back in Michigan.
I love these people already.
After loading cabling, fencing, stakes and cable cutters we had to go back for, we headed further south into Spearfish to take in Spearfish Canyon, which I heard was in full peak in terms of fall color. I expected more reds and oranges, but I know that depends on the type of tree. Golden yellows dotted the familiar landscape, another first for us. We’ve only seen Spearfish Canyon during rally week in early August.
Ending up at Cheyenne Crossing, we headed into the Deadwood/Lead area and took the amazingly steep roads up into Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
I’d never attempt this on my bike – the last time we visited I rode with Bill. I can’t even imagine this area in the winter. Coming down from the cemetery we were pleasantly surprised to find Jerry Greer’s Engineering – a vintage Indian shop. We’d planned to visit this during rally week but were unable to go.
After an obligatory stop at the Spearfish Dairy Queen (another South Dakota tradition) we hopped on 85 north and made the trek back to our homestead.
The Sinclair/Henderson Oil is another familiar haunt, where we picked up ice and a quart of oil. I was surprised and happy to see no one had yet pitched my business card I had tacked up I don’t even know how long ago.
And this just cracked me up. (Yes, it says Jamaican Me Crazy, but Flavored is really the first thing you see. Flavored like what? Hahaha)
The Buffalo Cemetery is across 85 from the Sinclair and the sun was setting on this chilly fall day.
Upon returning home I hopped into a badly needed lukewarm shower and we discovered a problem with the hot water tank. Sigh. More challenges.
Right now, I’m about to bundle up and head outside to marvel at the AMAZING amount of stars here. The skies have cleared, as I hoped.
Until tomorrow!