The rest of the day was spent in windy overcast conditions mostly, it even rained and snowed lightly on us a few times as we transited Wyoming on I-25, heading eventually for the turn eastwards into South Dakota....basically taking US Highway 18 into that state.
We got to the KOA at Hot Springs, South Dakota shortly after 3PM and settled into glamping mode.
Sunday was a much better day in terms of weather. Sunny and though it started in the high 30s, would soar to 60 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the riding.
First it was a quick run into the town of Hot Springs where we met Martha's friend from Nurse College, Trish and her husband John for breakfast.
After breakfast, it was a visit to their nearby property on which they're working to eventually build a house and small horse ranch.
At around 11AM we set off going north on US385 to State highway 87 and eventually junctioning with US Highway 16A, a.k.a. Iron Mountain Road; a very twisty and scenic road with rollercoaster-like ups and downs with tunnels and views of Mount Rushmore.
We saw many Bison, some really close to the side of the road
that we were on!
photo courtesy Martha
photo courtesy Martha
Signage at a campground near the start of
Iron Mountain road and some Fall Color
Wonderful road, Iron Mountain Road, the tunnels that were blasted for it were designed to always frame the Mount Rushmore Monument's Presidents.
View from Scovel Johnson Tunnel
View of Mt Rushmore from C. C. Gideon tunnel,
he designed the Iron Mtn Road and the Pigtail Bridges
(Bridges that went under themselves)
Doane Robinson Tunnel
Scarlett and I, going and coming...
photo courtesy Martha
photo courtesy Martha
photo courtesy Martha
Near the entrance to Mt Rushmore Monument
Profile view point near Mt Rushmore
After fueling up in Hill City, we got onto the Needles Highway. Had to pay a $10 fee but it was worth it. See the film at the end of this posting.
We did also have an encounter with two adult mountain goats and their two kids. Sorry, didn't get a good pics of the kids, they had their noses burrowed into the ground, not sure trying to get at what.
Tunnel on the Needles Highway
This guy came a bit too close for comfort
and so we left!
photo courtesy Martha
A view of Cathedral Spires from the Needles Highway
Near Wind Cave National Park
photo courtesy Martha
10 comments:
Ride on C6 I love riding that area and you have gotten good pics and video
Spat
Thanks John/Spat...it was a good day of riding.
Some pretty cool photos from that area. I especially like the ones with the tunnels. I had not heard of the Needles Hwy before.
Now that looks like a great way to spend the day. Nice the you could get so many shots of Mt Rushmore with Scarlett.
Thanks RichardM , it's obvious why they named it that.
I've been wanting the tunnel shots ever since 2006 Trobairitz, thanks!
Fabulous! Richard and I will put that highway on our to do list for sure. Maybe we'll be there this time next year!
It's a good destination stop Bridget....thanks for commenting
Sat of you, to bring a camera woman along to get your tunnel shots, Dom. Well done, Martha!
She did a great job didn't she? Thanks SonjaM
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