They also were have some good sales. Again bought a couple of shirts for half price. Not a bad deal. I am sure they would all go back to "normal" HD pricing before the end of the week and the official start of Sturgis week!! Talked to a HD salesman in the bike tent. He told me they would sell at least 400 bikes in the next 10 days our of that tent. It amazes me the number of riders that go to Sturgis and trade/buy a bike! A lot of the vendors were already open so I did a lot of window shopping but didn't buy anything else.
Headed on west on I-90 up to the Sturgis area. Had to stop by the Full Throttle Saloon first. Not much going on there but a lot of preparation work!!
Next stop was downtown Sturgis!
Here is where I parked. As I was leaving my bike a guy came by and was looking at my bike close, so I walked back by and spoke to him. He was just admiring my bike and liked the color. He was from Ontario, Canada and was down for the week prior to Sturgis riding the Black Hills. We talked bikes for awhile and I headed on down the street checking out the vendors and bars!!
Always like to go by One-Eyed Jack's Saloon!
Saw this tee shirt in One-Eyed Jack's Saloon and I just had to buy it. It reminded me of the song I have on my mp3 player, "The Road Goes On Forever and The Party Never Ends"!! No doubt, my main theme song I play when I am on my motorcycle!!
It was pretty tame and quiet in downtown Sturgis. Here was a lady making beads in the shade along with her guitar and dog. Looked like she was having a great time!! A lot tamer than some of the "characters" that will be downtown Sturgis next week for sure!!
Have to make the visit to Sturgis HD shop. Didn't buy anything more!
One more visit to a saloon. I did just visit. Saved any drinking, other than water, for the evening when I got back to Hill City!! hehe
Headed back to Hill City on all the nice two lane roads in the Black Hills. Took Vanocker Canyon to Nemo Road to Rimrock Highway back to US385 into Hill City. This was one of the nicest rides on my entire trip. I bet I didn't pass more than 10 bikes/cars on the entire route. Just a beautiful motorcycle ride back the 60 miles to Hill City!!
I did have to stop by the Prairie Berry Winery just north of Hill City and buy a few bottles of the Red Ass Rhubarb wine and have them shipped back to Virginia for me! Did have another wine taste to make sure I liked it though!!
Several other bikers were there too. Here was one on a Norton motorcycle. It was really in great shape. I sat and watched while it took him about 10 times to kick start it. She had to get off one time when it stalled and he had to kick start it again. Pretty cool bike. I am sure they trailered in!!!!!
After I got back to the Lantern Inn, I picked up a Boulevard Brew from the market across the street. A friend Tom in Missouri put me onto Boulevard beer which is brewed in Kansas City. Pretty good stuff!!
On to The Alpine Inn for dinner. This is a very popular dining spot in Hill City. I can't imagine what it must be like the actual week of Sturgis. It opens at 5 pm and they do not take reservations. I got there about 4:20 pm and waited in line at the inside bar. I got seated within about 15 minutes after they opened at 5. As I was coming out after dinner, I heard them telling people the wait would be at least a hour and a half to get seated!! It is a really interesting "business model" for a restaurant. It really works for them and I am surprised other places haven't tried it. I am sure they are able to keep their costs low and the quality high with the model. They only offer two choices on the evening dinner menu. What size do you want your Filet Mignon and how do you want it cooked? Everything else is decided (except for your drink and if you want dessert). Their desserts are fabulous. I mentioned before, the maid, Barb, at the Lantern Inn makes all the desserts here at the Alpine! They are all excellent!
The standard wedge of lettuce. Nice size and the homemade ranch dressing is excellent:
Here is the main course! Cooked to perfection (medium well for me!). There was NOTHING left on the plate when I finished - but, hey, still had room for dessert!!
This is the bread pudding. It has no raisins or nuts, just pure delicious bread pudding (of course with caramel sauce and ice cream on it too!!!)
So, after that dinner I needed to do a lot of walking to help with the digesting process!! Lot's of bikes and activities going on in downtown Hill City on Monday evening! As a matter of fact, a lot more going on in Hill City than Sturgis today!! That will change next week, but still Hill City has a lot to offer and attracts a nice crowd.
I had walked a couple of blocks when I ran onto the guy from Ontario again that I had seen and talked to earlier in the day on the street of Sturgis (I mentioned him above). That was a real coincidence. He and I both recognized each other at the same time. Keep in mind it is around 60 miles between Hill City and Sturgis too! He was staying in Spearfish. We talked again for a while about Hill City and the Black Hills. Never saw him again in the Black Hills.
Even the dogs were enjoying the sites in downtown Hill City! It was a real fun evening in downtown Hill City!
Had to walk by and take a few pictures in the Black Hills railroad rail yard!
Here were some more of the bikes staying at the Lantern Inn. This was the group from Illinois.
Didn't have to clean my bike this evening!! Did spend the evening smoking a cigar and talking with all the other riders about their day and rides. I was talking to the couple next to me from Minnesota when they said, hey we saw you in Sturgis today! They were eating lunch in a restaurant downtown Sturgis and saw me go by walking down the street. Again that was a real coincidence again!
Early to bed tonight so I could get up again at 5am. Tomorrow would head up to Lead, Deadwood, Spearfish, Keystone and back down to Custer for another piece of rhubarb pie!!!!!
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