From Presidents to Praries - 302 miles

We started reasonably early along a road I picked out simply because it had a lot of corners. Turned out to be a good ride. The road took us through Custer State Park which is a wildlife refuge. The road winds through the park and we came across deer, bison, big horn sheep and burros. It was great to get up close.

Then we found a little cafe set back in the woods. A great breakfast at very good prices.

We were actually on our way to Mt Rushmore and Jack and Linda had already been there and wanted to find another road. So we split up and both had great times on fun roads. Ours had three tunnels: one lane at a time and sound your horn. One of them we entered a great rock and came out the other side 20 feet above ground. they had built a circular bridge to bring us in a loop back to ground level. Twice more we came across these "Pigtail turns". Interesting way to build a road through very rocky terrain.

Back on the main road, we found Mt Rushmore and paid our $10 to park and walked up to the viewing area and took pictures and had ours taken. What else is there to do?

We went back out and waited for Jack and Linda to turn up so they didn't have to pay to park.

Back together, we set out for Rapid City and Sturgis. There are lots of motorcycles around the area as Sturgis Rally is on in a couple of weeks. The area - not just the town - is all set up for it. Never seen so many T-shirts set out on tables.

We passed on through and headed out north east on to wide open praries. The road was straight for mile after mile and with no trees, the wind was from the side.

At one time we suspected we may be running a bit short on fuel and hoped that the next small town had fuel on Sundays. Turned out the servo was the only thing in town open so we were in

luck.

Refuelled and refreshed, we continued on towards the Missouri River through rolling open prarie mostly under cattle feed and corn. We spotted a large prarie dog town in one part with a coyote prowling the edges.

Then we got to the Missouri River which is quite wide here due to the Oahe Lake being quite full at the moment.

In to a small town we went. Gettysburg SD has one feature we need - a Honda dealer. We need to get the rear tyre changed and the old one sent home. In the morning we'll find out if it can be done.

A few photos from the day:

Once again, friendly roadside deer

Also some bighorn sheep

More deer

and some bison

The burros didn't move - we had to ride around them

Into a narrow tunnel

and around under a pigtail turn

Finally saw the President's Heads

And this is Bear Butte. Legend says it is the bear that put the stripes on the side of Devils Tower

The road across the prarie was straight

and finally the bridge across the Missouri River.