Yesterday, we decided to slowly meander back to Nashville by putting in limited milage and stopping frequently to enjoy whatever roadside attractions we came across. So what did we do? We had our biggest ride of the trip today, 380 miles, and didn't stop to see much of anything. We didn't stop because the ride was wonderful.Sturgis, South Dakota, to O'Neil, Nebraska

380 Miles

2099 Total Miles

Yesterday, we decided to slowly meander back to Nashville by putting in limited milage and stopping frequently to enjoy whatever roadside attractions we came across. So what did we do? We had our biggest ride of the trip today, 380 miles, and didn't stop to see much of anything. We didn't stop because the ride was wonderful.

We left Sturgis and got on I-90 for the 40 mile ride into Rapid City, South Dakota. Once in Rapid City we got very lost looking for Highway 44 and spent the better part of an hour proving that men don't like to ask for directions. Finally, we did and within 10 minutes were happily leaving Rapid City on Highway 44.

Highway 44 is a lightly travelled two-lane road that borders the Badlands for about 70 miles and then continues on through the Pine Ridge indian Reservation. The scenery was incredible. It's difficult to concentrate on your riding when your eyes keep leaving the road to take in one grand view after another.

The view of the Badlands from Highway 44

We stopped in Interior, South Dakota (Population 77), to refuel and down a soft drink. While we loitered around the only store in town (and the first gas station in 75 miles), three riders rode up on BMW motorcycles. Paul, from Kansas, and his wife and sister-in-law were on the way to Alaska. Paul's wife has 350,000 miles on her bike and Paul has an older BMW at home with 475,000 miles on it. Serious riders!

Cleve talks with the riders from Kansas

We left Interior and drove on and on and on, looking for some place to eat. Finally, after almost 100 miles of no stores of any kind, we reached White River, South Dakota (Population 598). There we found a restaurant whose sign simply said "Restaurant." Catchy, don't you think? Anyway, they had the best burger, fries and milk shake within at least 100 miles. We sat at a table with Bob, a seventy-ish man who farms and runs a farm implement dealership. Sitting at the table next to us was Tom, who runs a furniture store on the square in Winner, South Dakota. We talked about cattle prices, organic farming, country music and politics.

We left White River and began our ride into Nebraska. We decided to go to Nebraska because neither of us had ever been there.

Well, now we can say we've been there.

Tonight we are motelling in O'Neil, Nebraska, a quiet little town of about 3,500 people.

Tomorrow, we will drive to Sioux City (the Nebraska side) and then take scenic Highway 75 to within a few miles of Omaha, Nebraska. We plan to overnight in Omaha and dine on a big slab of Nebraska beef.

If you did not read yesterday's comments, Nelson put in 600 miles of hard interstate riding yesterday and is now on target to reach Alaska on schedule.