The "official" Sturgis Bike Rally is 8/7 through 8/14 but the motorcycles really hit the Black Hills the beginning of August. We have far more motorcycles in the campground this year than last. Tent sites are pretty vacant but the RV's towing utility trailers have descended big time. It is estimated that attendance for the Rally is up considerably for the 70th anniversary. To our eyes, we would have to agree. The weather seems to be cooperating as thunderstorms aren't being called for until Thursday or Friday and the temperatures are warm but pleasant.
We were woke up at 5:45 a.m. yesterday morning by a Harley that started up and sounded like it was right under our bedroom slide. From the sounds, it seemed like it was ridden down a short ways (to buy a newspaper?) and then returned. Did not make us very happy. Thankfully, no repeat this morning.
We had to make a trip to Rapid City yesterday to have new tires put on the truck (OUCH) and must have seen a hundred plus motorcycles for every car on the road. The road coming down from Mount Rushmore was backed up as far as my eyes could see with mostly motorcycles. It was quite the sight.
What was suppose to take only two hours to have our tires installed ended up taking four hours due to a boneheaded tire installer. Even-keeled John even lost his cool and was not happy. As we always try to make the most of any trip to Rapid City, we had errands to run after the tire install which put us back home a little before 9 p.m. - it was a long day. Then as we were trying to settle down to go to sleep around 10:30 p.m., we had a few Harley's driving past us (very noisy) and campers talking and laughing loudly right outside our bedroom slide (how rude). So much for "quiet hours". Other than a few instances of bad manners as described, I must say that the motorcyclist enthusiasts have been good guests.
The rest of the week is going to be spent laying low and working on the rig. Lots of hard work but we always feel better when the fifth wheel is clean and looking good.
Life is good here in the Black Hills.
