STURGIS

As I mentioned yesterday, the small town of Sturgis, S.D., becomes ground zero for the biker world, during early August each year. It was a little strange, not having the Harley, as we drove around this small town of about 5,000, and visited several locations that brought back many memories of my annual pilgrimage to this biker mecca. It has been about 16 years since I last participated in the rally, and a lot has changed over the years, especially the addition of several huge saloons. The annual Sturgis motorcycle rally is one big party, and my friends and I participated in a lot of the craziness, particularly in the Glencoe Campground, where we pitched our tents each year. The upper left photo is of the short track, where the action is fast and furious. One of the main reasons I loved to attend the rally each year was the many forms of motorcycle racing (drags, hillclimb, short track, and 1/2 mile) that takes place in the area. We drove into the world famous Buffalo Chip, where it has been described as the worlds best, and most outrageous party. The stage pictured, is where music goes all night, and the sideline action is often the most entertaining. The "Chip" is about 4 miles out of town in rolling prairie, and is a combination campground, and small city, where all the essentials, like food, drink, showers, and other vendors provide for thousands of bikers. We also drove thru Glencoe Campground where the improvements from 15-20 years ago were noticeable, especially the addition of hundreds of RV hookups. I remember checking at the gate in 1990, (50th anniversary rally), as to how many motorcyclists had checked into Glencoe, and the answer was over 17,000!

We topped the day off by visiting the Fort Meade Museum, just outside of Sturgis. Fort Meade was established as an Army post in 1878, to protect the miners and pioneers that were establishing themselves in the Black Hills, after gold was discovered a few years earlier. George A. Custer's 7th Cavalry was based at Fort Meade, prior to his demise at the battle of the Little Big Horn. The fort today, is part of the Veteran's Admininstration Hospital Network, and a training center for the National Guard. There was a pretty spectacular thunder and lightning storm late last night, and the weather looks a little unsettled this morning. We'll probably head toward Mt. Rushmore today.