Day 16: Wednesday June 13, 2012

Today was to mark the goal for the ride. We packed up the bikes and said goodbye to our new friends Robert and Brian from Wisconsin and headed to main street Sturgis to have breakfast at a local favorite- Weimers Bakery and Diner. We left the restaurant under sunny skies and 75 degree temperature. Our first stop on interstate 90 was the town of Wall, home to Wall Drug. Wall also happens to be the gateway to The Badlands of South Dakota. We briefly shopped Wall Drug and then rode thru the Badlands. I was somewhat nervous about the weather in the Badlands as previous visits the temperature was in the high 90's if not 100. But not today, we had an 84 degree ride on the 35 mile loop. The landscape, canyons and colors were amazing and the photos do not do the experience justice. (remember you can click on the photos to enlarge them). After leaving the Badlands our next stop was the Ernst family farm. My great grandfather homesteaded the property many years ago and my cousin Sonia still farms the land today with the seasonal help from her twin sister Sandra (who is a full-time teacher). We got to the farm about 7:30pm (we lost an hour changing to central time) but all was good as they had made 8:00pm dinner reservations at the diner in town. My aunt Dorothy and cousins Lori, Kari, Sandra and Sonia who all live near the Roscoe, South Dakota area showed up with available family. There were 11 of us for dinner and we had a great time catching up. We figured it had been about 17 years since I last was on the farm or in Roscoe. Lori and Dale were gracious to open up their home to Dave and I for the night. I had a wonderful time reconnecting and look forward to spending time on the farm tomorrow. Total miles rode today 371 total for the trip 4185.

Psalm 18:1 I love you, Lord, my strength.