For reasons totally unknown to me today is the day when the entire population of Sturgis, or at least the itinerant visitor part decides to go to the places in Wyoming hence the title. We heard that Bob had driven T-Roy, heavily sedated back to Minnesota through the night to get some treatment so none of our new friends from Minnesota were still in Sturgis.

We had arranged an early meet at the now second home of the Burger King car park at 9.00 but a phone call advised us that Jim Galford had broken down so we waited while some of the team went to assist.. We waited and waited until at 10.30 we decided to leave and let the rest catch up or do their own thing.

We blasted up the on-ramp of the I90 then slowed right down as we merged with a 15-mile tailback due to road works. After waiting stationary for a little we rode onto the shoulder and cut past the traffic until we reach clear road then had a brisk run along the freeway not stopping until we reached Sundance to fuel up. The road was not that memorable with a mixture of golden grassy fields, trees, rocky outcrops and hills and the weather again was hot and dry and the roads were incredibly busy with Harleys as far as you could see.

A right turn onto US14 through more dry rolling countryside with the hot air blowing in our faces and then in the distance on more or less flat plains the sight of Devils Tower starts to mist out of the heat haze shimmering and looking rather unreal. Its was difficult to keep my eyes of the tower but the slightly wind road and the amount of bikes travelling at varying paces required concentration.

We arrived at the car park and by this time the tower dominates the sky, a huge mass of rock in the middle of countryside otherwise absent of anything high. We parked up and looked at the tower now fairly close to us. It draws the eye and demands attention.

The visitor centre is a large wooden building stuffed with everything to do with the along with now familiar native American souvenirs and the highlight of all, some "Close Encounters" chewing gum with picture cards. This was not new packs but the genuine originals from when the film was first released.

We returned to the car park and took some photos of us and the tower from various angles and took a double take as some people passed in costumes from the end of the 18^th century on their way to get some staged photos.

We set off again on the road towards Hulett and on reaching the town probably wished we hadn't bothered. It was absolutely seething with thousands of bikes not moving very far. The traffic jams were bad the sun was hot and we probably didn't appreciate Hulett as much as we could have any other day of the year. We didn't stop and headed straight through the town and away from it as fast as possible.

We headed back east and reached a town called Alladin. Apparently the population of Alladin is 15 but today this had swelled somewhat with motorcycling visitors listening to a blues band. At this point we decided to head for different destinations. Michelle and I headed for Rapid City to have a quick look at the dealer before heading for a long awaited meeting with some cyber friends.

The dealer was well stocked with the usual round of Sturgis t-shirts and several external stands of alleged bargains. Michelle checked out some jewellery and we shared our very first Corn Dog, which was a unique experience but not one which we felt the need to do ever again.

(Some of you may have seen the next bit in a previous post)

We left and headed up towards our meeting place which was a bar just outside Rapid City, I approached the car park hesitantly but rode in and parked up. I'd noticed the bar seemed quiet with just a few people around. We parked up and as I dismounted a cheery cry " Hey Scotty, where's your f*!*ing kilt!!!!" I had this feeling things would be just fine.

I was met by Chuck Lanter, Penny Powers, Steve Tuttle and Jinks, yes they exist!!!!

After introductions and a brief chat I was whisked off to a secret location where I was assured that there were one or two more. We rode for a short distance along the road finally turning into a dirt drive. I did my best to keep up with Penny as she left me in a trail of dust and little stones, as we turned the final bend a garage appeared and in front was a large crowd of people.

WOW!!

A gaggle of Assholes (tm) a bevy of others and I didn't even manage to meet them all. Let me run through a list if I can and sorry if I've forgotten....I was in a state of shock after all,

Apart from Chuck, Penny, Tuttle and Jinks we had; (in no order of preference)

Sparky

Pooder

Skiv

Steve Ligett

Redbeard Emeritus

Redbeard (the original)

Bob Blanchard

Grumpy

Dennis Petersen

Dan Sorenson

Ghost

Dana and Andrej

Preacher

My apologies for those I've missed but blame the excitement.

My girlfriend Michelle didn't even have the benefit of knowing some of the names but managed to mingle so well I had to prise her back off Redbeard Emeritus, hands off!!! Now if it had been Preacher, the better-looking one, I'd have been really worried!

We chatted, had some of the best tasting Bud I've ever had and some of the sweetest corn. The burgers were great and the hospitality tremendous.

Dana's body art, (it's way beyond a tattoos) was amazing and more like airbrushing, the conversation was free flowing and when we had to go I was very reluctant to do so but the early morning ride of 600 miles meant I had to go. Secretly it was because we had to go past Burger King on the way home but don't tell Skiv.

Final test of the night was to negotiate back down dirt road on the hill without falling off, as I'm sure the cheer would have been enormous.

Thanks for the hospitality guys and I wish I was in the right country to do it more often, it's been a privilege to meet you all.

Those who treat this newsgroup as though it were any other and don't take advantage of the IRL meets are those who are the losers.

Finally, I wish I had worn my kilt! I wore it as I rode down Main St in Sturgis the day before but chickened out.