TODAY'S TALES: 

Great morning...we planned an early load at 5:45 to beat the heat and with breakfast at 6, most everyone got on the road in good order and we were off for another day of riding.  The route was a lonely road out into the rolling grasslands with terrain much prettier than yesterday's high desert...it was nice to start seeing more green.  Even with all the grassland, it is still really dry out here.  The fire hazard signs say "Extreme Danger" for grass fires.  One good bolt of lightening or a stray cigarette could ruin thousands of acres of grassland.  Two years ago we had to dodge a range fire to get to Hot Springs so we know how tenuous it is to live out here.

Yesterday took more out of people than they thought, but the cool departure temperatures, light tailwinds, and a drop in the terrain put some life in their legs as they were riding a pretty brisk pace by the first SAG.  I spent most of the morning bouncing around taking photos of the vast open spaces while trying to get good composition with a rider somewhere in the frame.  This area really lends itself to some awesome snapshots.  I'd like to just have that job...take photos and just see how many great ones I could take in one day.

The navigation today was pretty easy...turn left out of the motel and then turn right at 44 miles and continue to Hot Springs.  The wind was pretty brisk and helping at times before the turn, but, as has been the pattern lately, the wind blasted us in the face again after we turned east.  It wasn't nearly as strong as it was into Casper, but pesky all the same.

We kissed Wyoming good bye today at about the 55 mile point as we entered our 4th state...South Dakota.  The only thing that we noticed was the road got a little narrower in places and we picked up a few more hills.  At right,  a couple riders pose while I take the obligatory pictures of the entry sign.  In years past, the sign was filled with bullet holes...they put up a new one last year, but this year the sign was riddled with holes again.  I guess they just put up signs out here for target practice.  I guess our riders better keep riding to at least present a "moving target."

All in all, it was a pretty uneventful day.  Everyone seemed to move down the road pretty well and even the big climb after lunch didn't seem to slow anyone down.  We did our usual water stop 6 miles from lunch after everyone got up the hill.  Deb took Jeff to the top to fill water bottles for the last 14 miles to the motel. 

We were lucky with the weather too...the temps are still pretty mild for this time of year...only about 89 today.  With the mild temps we get easterlies for winds...we'll take the mild and deal with the winds as long as they don't get too stiff.  Tomorrow we ride to Mt Rushmore...maybe our second toughest day so far but plenty of neat sights to see.  There will be lots of climbing and it's going to be hopefully mild again.  The riders are looking forward to seeing the monument and riding the Black Hills.  It should be a good day...see you then.

SOME THINGS WE HEARD TODAY:

"This SAG stop is talking to me...it's saying 'Linger.'"

"When we had that headwind at the turn, I was having Casper flashbacks."

"Hey Barb do you have any "no excuse juice" at the SAG?"

"Well, just how long is this mythical hill?"
"When you get to the top, you let me know if you still think it's mythical."
"OK, how long is that legendary hill?"

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