I know you've just been dying to know the results of our patch job. I mean, we do specialize in patches, but the kind you sew to your vests not the kind you fix stuff with. Well...We woke up above the ground today!!! Our Dollar Tree remedy worked! Let's hope it stays that way...
Devin got up early to go to a different place to get a tire. I stayed behind to get caught up on work and do some laundry. While at the tire place, some guy came up to Devin and asked if he worked there. Devin, naturally, said "No, I'm just getting my tire changed" and the guy said oh. Devin said "I'm from Illinois" and the guy said "Oh well thats a long drive to work everyday" and Devin said "yeah it would be a long drive". Then the guy proceeded to tell him what he was shopping for and asking Devin if they had anything in stock. Devin again reminded him that "I don't work here" before an employee stepped in.
Devin returned to the tent and the bike returned with a new shoe (front tire). He says it rides a lot better now. We jumped back on and went into town to the same little cafe we ate at a few nights ago. We had delicious salads. While we were in there it started to rain pretty hard. We waited it out but still got caught in it on the way back.
Yesterday Devin went to put on his new DG sunglasses only to find they were broke around one lens. When we got back to the tent he took a nap, I use the air mattress glue to fix his glasses, then I did some more work before I, well, took a nap with him :-). Vacation sure is hard...
After we woke up we talked with a guy from across the road about bikes and stuff. They were from Arkansas. Then we decided we wanted to do that crazy ride again. It was around 5:30 and we figured the cool air and late hour would make for perfect riding. We were right. It was amazing. The traffic was minimal, the cool air refreshing, and the evening light gorgeous. See, the other day it was hot and long and full of traffic, so we skipped out on a portion of the loop called Wildlife Loop, which takes you a little further south in Custer State Park. When we made it to this point today we asked one of the park attendants how long it was, to ensure if we did it we would make it back before dark. 18 miles and 45 minutes she said...plenty of time; so we went for it. We saw turkeys (again) wild burros, prairie dogs, and some antelope thing. Challenge...see if you can find the prairie dogs & antelope in the pics below!
We nearly ran over some wildlife too. A rabbit ran right out in front of us. We got a good laugh about it though...roadkill in the wildlife park and a few other jokes probably inappropriate to put out publicly.
We genuinely thought we weren't going to see buffalo. Although we herd (get it, heard/herd?) they were all around, we went about 14 of the 18 miles without one sighting. And then...
They were everywhere. There were hundreds. My favorite is below...there were several calves playing with each other...running around and wrestling.
They were snorting and rolling in the dust. A few came right up to the roadside just down from us where a bunch of trucks were parked. Glad that wasn't us though, there are signs everywhere saying "Buffalo are dangerous, Do Not Approach."
They really are majestic creatures. We went a little farther down and there was another lone one just hanging out.
We continued on to needles highway again. So much nicer this time. I was mistaken last time, the Eye of the Needle is one of the rock features, not the road tunnel. Here it is:
Can you find Mini-B below? (didn't know this post was going to make you work, huh?)
Devin got up early to go to a different place to get a tire. I stayed behind to get caught up on work and do some laundry. While at the tire place, some guy came up to Devin and asked if he worked there. Devin, naturally, said "No, I'm just getting my tire changed" and the guy said oh. Devin said "I'm from Illinois" and the guy said "Oh well thats a long drive to work everyday" and Devin said "yeah it would be a long drive". Then the guy proceeded to tell him what he was shopping for and asking Devin if they had anything in stock. Devin again reminded him that "I don't work here" before an employee stepped in.
Devin returned to the tent and the bike returned with a new shoe (front tire). He says it rides a lot better now. We jumped back on and went into town to the same little cafe we ate at a few nights ago. We had delicious salads. While we were in there it started to rain pretty hard. We waited it out but still got caught in it on the way back.
Yesterday Devin went to put on his new DG sunglasses only to find they were broke around one lens. When we got back to the tent he took a nap, I use the air mattress glue to fix his glasses, then I did some more work before I, well, took a nap with him :-). Vacation sure is hard...
After we woke up we talked with a guy from across the road about bikes and stuff. They were from Arkansas. Then we decided we wanted to do that crazy ride again. It was around 5:30 and we figured the cool air and late hour would make for perfect riding. We were right. It was amazing. The traffic was minimal, the cool air refreshing, and the evening light gorgeous. See, the other day it was hot and long and full of traffic, so we skipped out on a portion of the loop called Wildlife Loop, which takes you a little further south in Custer State Park. When we made it to this point today we asked one of the park attendants how long it was, to ensure if we did it we would make it back before dark. 18 miles and 45 minutes she said...plenty of time; so we went for it. We saw turkeys (again) wild burros, prairie dogs, and some antelope thing. Challenge...see if you can find the prairie dogs & antelope in the pics below!
We nearly ran over some wildlife too. A rabbit ran right out in front of us. We got a good laugh about it though...roadkill in the wildlife park and a few other jokes probably inappropriate to put out publicly.
We genuinely thought we weren't going to see buffalo. Although we herd (get it, heard/herd?) they were all around, we went about 14 of the 18 miles without one sighting. And then...
We continued on to needles highway again. So much nicer this time. I was mistaken last time, the Eye of the Needle is one of the rock features, not the road tunnel. Here it is:
After the ride we went into town and ate Buffalo Burgers. MMMMMMM:
They are much healthier for you actually, less calories, fat, and cholesterol. Tastes about the same as beef but much leaner.
We returned to the camp where we got ice cream. We loaded up just enough laundry to get us through tomorrow and threw in a load. Tomorrow we pack up and head west towards Yellowstone National Park. It will take us 2 days to get there.
Today we rode 164 miles for a total of 2259.1 miles across America.
Glad you guys are doing well. I'm enjoying the updates. Ride safe.
ReplyDeleteCyclops
Do you know how you can tell if a buffalo is under your air mattress??? The ceiling of your tent is very close. G
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