What a change from yesterday. Not a cloud in the sky. Low 40s but forecasted to be 70. Windy but not like before

On the road by 9. We headed west. In a half hour or so we crossed into North Dakota. Beautiful country. After a couple of hours stopped at a small diner, in a small town, in the middle of nowhere. Locals asking where we were going. Everyone very nice.

Our breaks seem to be taking longer. Eating up time. Jeeeeez we have a lot of miles to go. Plan was to get to Rapid City / Sturgis / Black Hills area. Big push. Hah.

Rural roads here are 65 or 70mph speed limits. Cruising 70 / 75 all day. Wide open roads. We are the only ones on the road most times. Jonathan saw a water tower in a town over 20 miles out. The farther west we got, fewer and fewer trees. Now there are none.

Headed south after one or two hundred miles down into South Dakota. To be honest, I didn’t even realize it until 30 miles or so into the state. They should make it one state.

Miles of sunflower fields. Very cool. Corn, Soy and Wheat as far as the eye can see. Towns, 200 / 300 population 25 or 30 miles apart. Mainly giant grain elevators. The farming machinery is unbelievable. Huge tractors and trailers with treads. I’m like a kid. Still like that stuff. Big farms. Big money.

Stopped in Aberdeen, South Dakota mid afternoon for fuel. Alex suggested that if we weren’t going to make Sturgis, to stay over in Pierre. So we are here.

Camping on the Missouri River. Big Army Corp of Engineer’s campsite. We are one of the few here. This is absolutely beautiful Boys went out for supplies. We are having Brats. Ice, beverages and a campfire.

Ya know. This is how I expected this. About 1200-1300 miles on the bikes so far. Awesome experience. Bantering. Enjoying the sights. Jonathan just asked how come we didnt bring jet skis (2 guys are jet skiing on the mighty mo.) Campfire. Johnny Cash playing on pandora. The boys arguing who is going to cook the brats (Alex). I am at peace. Looking forward to the starry night. Not a cloud in the sky. Tomorrow Sturgis. Black Hills. Mount Rushmore. That place where Custer made his last stand – you know? Thousands of miles yet to go. What more is there?

Life is good.