Home Sweet Home...Kinda

Well, I made it back to good ole Illinois. I was welcomed by a big slap in the face from a guy named humidity. Holy cow, I forgot how awful it really is. I sweat more today unloading my truck than I did the whole two months I was gone put together. I'm settled in now, and it feels like I never left. Again, very bittersweet.

Last Monday I left Banff and headed south through Alberta and then Montana. I was a little nervous coming across the border since I didn't have proof of birth. I managed to answer their questions well enough to satisfy them and I drove through with no problems. Finally, back to the land of cheap gas prices...compared to Canada. I was paying $4.50/gallon while I was there, $3.00 never looked so good. I drove until I got to Billings, about the only good sized town I saw. I was going to try and locate a campground before it got dark. I stopped at a gas station and got directions to the KOA, it wasn't far...if you go in the right direction. The woman told me to go the wrong way on the interstate. Luckily I was going in the direction I needed to go anyway. I figured I would just drive to the next town and set up a tent in the dark. I forgot about the fuel problem I had and where I was. My fuel light comes on and I realize my next stop isn't for another 40-50 miles. I figured I'd be ok, but I have to say, I was a little nervous. It is pitch black and there is nothing out there, no towns and very little traffic. I made it though, and ended up in town called Hardin, MT.

First thing was to obviously get gas and then go find a camp. I gassed up and found a KOA 1 mile off the interstate. I hadn't had dinner yet, so I stopped at this place off the interstate, Shawna's Steak House and Casino. I guess in Montana, if you have about 20 slots you can call yourself a casino. I sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender and the guy next to me. They were both in the Navy and were there on a project in the Crow Indian reservation. I met Shawna and her husband and I was invited in on a game of Ship, Captain, Crew (6-5-4). They were of course curious as to what I was doing there. After I told them, Shawna said I could park behind the place and sleep in the back of my truck instead of paying for a campsite for a few hours. It was a nice night, so I did. I just put my sleeping mat and bag in back and went to sleep under the stars. I got up the next morning and drove another 4 hours to Sturgis, SD.

The actual Sturgis motorcycle rally didn't start until last Friday, I was just there as an "early-bird". I camped at the famous Buffalo Chip. The place is huge, it's an entertainment complex. Every night they have big name concerts, i.e. ZZ Top, Edgar Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, Toby Keith. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to be there,and even Rupert from Survivor stays there. I met some really nice people while I was there. I stayed next to an older couple, Spud and Captain, from Minnesota. They were experienced and had been coming there for years. I got to hear plenty of stories about what to expect. On Wednesday, I made a day trip to Mt. Rushmore and through the Blackhills to Deadwood. It's very pretty country, there's a lot of history around them parts. Thursday, I went golfing at a course I located on Wednesday.

Every day, more and more people filed in. When you think of a biker rally, 6 figure motor homes don't pop in your head, but there were plenty of them there. These people have some serious cash and they like to spend it on toys. I went downtown everyday and walked around. All the vendors were up and open for business. There were already 1000's of bikers there. I saw some beautiful motorcycles everyday. Now, I think I need one too. I left on Thursday night before the actual start of the rally. I was afraid I really might not want to leave if I stayed on Friday; I was getting a little anxious to get back too. I drove 15 hours straight and made it back Friday about 10:30.

I'll try to get my pics up tonight, if not they'll be up soon. I don't really know how this blog thing will go since I'm not on the road, my everyday life really isn't that exciting. It's been an unbelievable summer and I enjoyed sharing it with all of you. It's funny, back to the real world and already a full schedule. It seems like I have something to do every weekend for weeks. How does this happen?? Try to stay cool!

See ya,
Dough