Here's the map link.
Eastward, ever eastward...
Stopped at the Field of Dreams and it was pretty cool to see the place almost exactly like it was in the movie. After that it was down to business to get to Indianapolis, but it was too much of a reach. Stopped in Peoria, IL and will have about 230 miles to go tomorrow to visit with a friend.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Disappointment at Wounded Knee
Here's the map link.
Left Custer and headed towards Wounded Knee, SD where the last group of Indians surrendered to the US Cavalry and then were promptly massacred through a series of missteps by the troops there.
I must say that I am extremely disheaterned by how the Wounded Knee event is overlooked. The actual area where it happened is marked by only one board that explains what happened in text. No pictures, no maps. As this was the site of an uprising in 1973, you would have thought that at least that would also be mentioned, but there is nothing. The small white church that was used by the activists is completely gone. It is almost as though both events never happened or they are overlooked as unimportant.
What is important is the condition of the cemetary. It was filmed in the movie "Thunderheart" and it appears to have deteriorated even more since the movie was made some 10 years ago or so. And this cemetary holds the graves of military vets that have the same white headstones that are used to mark the graves at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia.
Overall, I'd have to say that it was a depressing way for me to remember South Dakota as Wounded Knee, as important to history as it is, is a place forgotten to most, save for the Indians. It is also in an area that is tedious to get to (it is very much off the beaten track) and the economic depression in the area is palpable. Most of the residents in the area live in trailers and not much more.
Got back to I-90 through the Badlands and headed east towards Souix Falls. Hope to get to Dyersville to see the "Field of Dreams" tomorrow and then head towards Indianapolis.
Left Custer and headed towards Wounded Knee, SD where the last group of Indians surrendered to the US Cavalry and then were promptly massacred through a series of missteps by the troops there.
I must say that I am extremely disheaterned by how the Wounded Knee event is overlooked. The actual area where it happened is marked by only one board that explains what happened in text. No pictures, no maps. As this was the site of an uprising in 1973, you would have thought that at least that would also be mentioned, but there is nothing. The small white church that was used by the activists is completely gone. It is almost as though both events never happened or they are overlooked as unimportant.
What is important is the condition of the cemetary. It was filmed in the movie "Thunderheart" and it appears to have deteriorated even more since the movie was made some 10 years ago or so. And this cemetary holds the graves of military vets that have the same white headstones that are used to mark the graves at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia.
Overall, I'd have to say that it was a depressing way for me to remember South Dakota as Wounded Knee, as important to history as it is, is a place forgotten to most, save for the Indians. It is also in an area that is tedious to get to (it is very much off the beaten track) and the economic depression in the area is palpable. Most of the residents in the area live in trailers and not much more.
Got back to I-90 through the Badlands and headed east towards Souix Falls. Hope to get to Dyersville to see the "Field of Dreams" tomorrow and then head towards Indianapolis.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Custer, Four Presidents and Crazy Horse
Here's the map link.
Left Hardin, MT and went the 12 or so miles to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Walked the grounds for a bit and was very glad to see a very well done representation of the American Indian warriors that were involved and honored for their part in the battle.
I left the Memorial and then made my way to Devils Tower. Was very beautiful, both from a distance and up close. Didn't notice any climbers on their way up though.
Passed through Sturgis and it is still two weeks away from the rally, but the t-shirts are already on sale, so I picked up one for me and a couple for gifts for my brother and sister-in-law.
Continued on to Mount Rushmore and then on to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Was very impressed with both, but the Crazy Horse Memorial pulls at the heart-strings just a little harder for me personally. I'm not of native American blood, but the way that they were treated during the Indian Wars and all the failed treaties was criminal. (Correction: I was informed by my father that I am 1/8 Cheyenne! No wonder that I was affected by the presentation.)
Tomorrow it is off to Wounded Knee, SD, then east to Dyersville, IA to see the "Field of Dreams". Don't know if I can do both in one day, but at least there will be a lot of miles involved. Once the sightseeing is done, it will certainly be back to the grind of making tracks.
Left Hardin, MT and went the 12 or so miles to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Walked the grounds for a bit and was very glad to see a very well done representation of the American Indian warriors that were involved and honored for their part in the battle.
I left the Memorial and then made my way to Devils Tower. Was very beautiful, both from a distance and up close. Didn't notice any climbers on their way up though.
Passed through Sturgis and it is still two weeks away from the rally, but the t-shirts are already on sale, so I picked up one for me and a couple for gifts for my brother and sister-in-law.
Continued on to Mount Rushmore and then on to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Was very impressed with both, but the Crazy Horse Memorial pulls at the heart-strings just a little harder for me personally. I'm not of native American blood, but the way that they were treated during the Indian Wars and all the failed treaties was criminal. (Correction: I was informed by my father that I am 1/8 Cheyenne! No wonder that I was affected by the presentation.)
Tomorrow it is off to Wounded Knee, SD, then east to Dyersville, IA to see the "Field of Dreams". Don't know if I can do both in one day, but at least there will be a lot of miles involved. Once the sightseeing is done, it will certainly be back to the grind of making tracks.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Yellowstone National Park
Here's the link to the map.
Left Belgrade, MT and headed south to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Visited a couple of geysers and then headed to Old Faithful. If was PACKED with tourists, so after getting a pin or two, headed around the south end of the park to Lake Yellowstone. I can't possibly describe how beautiful this place is, but I was disappointed that the only wildlife I saw was a single bald eagle. No bison or bears. Although the bears I was kind of glad to not see as one just killed a camper a few days before I visited the park.
Left the park out the east side and headed towards Billings. This leg of the trip was marked by two drivers that were inattentive and attempted passing vehicles coming my way, forcing me to the shoulder while I hit the brakes. The second guy got the usual light flashes, but with the added single finger salute.
Also was treated to a car chase of sorts as well. Guy didn't want to wait at a single lane construction site and he attempted to run it when the lane monitor told him verbally to wait (along with a red light that was set up). He was boxed in my construction vehicles and the state police paid him a visit. He either got a hefty fine or possibly jail. I'm thinking the latter because as I travelled beyond the construction site a second trooper showed up a good 15 minutes after this whole mess started.
Lastly, had to backtrack to Hardin as there are no hotels to speak of south towards the Little Big Horn Battlefield. It was quite expensive too as there are all sorts of workers in town dealing with an oil spill in the Yellowstone River.
Tomorrow will be the battlefield, followed by Devils Tower and if possible, Wounded Knee, SD.
Left Belgrade, MT and headed south to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Visited a couple of geysers and then headed to Old Faithful. If was PACKED with tourists, so after getting a pin or two, headed around the south end of the park to Lake Yellowstone. I can't possibly describe how beautiful this place is, but I was disappointed that the only wildlife I saw was a single bald eagle. No bison or bears. Although the bears I was kind of glad to not see as one just killed a camper a few days before I visited the park.
Left the park out the east side and headed towards Billings. This leg of the trip was marked by two drivers that were inattentive and attempted passing vehicles coming my way, forcing me to the shoulder while I hit the brakes. The second guy got the usual light flashes, but with the added single finger salute.
Also was treated to a car chase of sorts as well. Guy didn't want to wait at a single lane construction site and he attempted to run it when the lane monitor told him verbally to wait (along with a red light that was set up). He was boxed in my construction vehicles and the state police paid him a visit. He either got a hefty fine or possibly jail. I'm thinking the latter because as I travelled beyond the construction site a second trooper showed up a good 15 minutes after this whole mess started.
Lastly, had to backtrack to Hardin as there are no hotels to speak of south towards the Little Big Horn Battlefield. It was quite expensive too as there are all sorts of workers in town dealing with an oil spill in the Yellowstone River.
Tomorrow will be the battlefield, followed by Devils Tower and if possible, Wounded Knee, SD.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Spokane to Yellowstone/Bozeman, MT
Here's the link before I go further.
Left Spokane a bit late after meeting a couple of online friends for breakfast. They got caught in construction traffic, so I didn't get on the bike until after 10:00 AM local time. My Dad headed back to the Portland area while I turned east towards Idaho and Montana.
Unfortunately, I hit the first bad weather that I have had the entire trip. Forty miles of rain wasn't fun, but it ended just as I arrived in the Yellowstone/Bozeman valley. The vistas were absolutely stunning and I hope to have pictures up when I get a better interent connection.
Tomorrow morning will be Yellowstone, then on to the Little Big Horn battlefield. If there is time, I'll make some headway towards Devils Tower (the stone tower from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".)
Left Spokane a bit late after meeting a couple of online friends for breakfast. They got caught in construction traffic, so I didn't get on the bike until after 10:00 AM local time. My Dad headed back to the Portland area while I turned east towards Idaho and Montana.
Unfortunately, I hit the first bad weather that I have had the entire trip. Forty miles of rain wasn't fun, but it ended just as I arrived in the Yellowstone/Bozeman valley. The vistas were absolutely stunning and I hope to have pictures up when I get a better interent connection.
Tomorrow morning will be Yellowstone, then on to the Little Big Horn battlefield. If there is time, I'll make some headway towards Devils Tower (the stone tower from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".)
Recap/New Posts for the Tour proper
Day One was from Idyllwild, CA to San Ysidro to Mammoth Lakes.
Day Two was from Mammoth Lakes, CA thru Yosemite and then onto Redding.
Day Three was from Redding, CA to Camas, WA, just north of Portland, OR.
Day Four was from Camas, WA to Blaine and then south to Mount Vernon.
Day Five was from Mt. Vernon, WA thru the Cascades and then to Spokane. This is where we are now, with my father planning to head home in the morning while I head east into a spot of weather.
Although I hope to get through Idaho, a visit to Yellowstone and then get into Cody, WY, I'm thinking it will be a long, long day should I hit rain storms along the way.
Day Two was from Mammoth Lakes, CA thru Yosemite and then onto Redding.
Day Three was from Redding, CA to Camas, WA, just north of Portland, OR.
Day Four was from Camas, WA to Blaine and then south to Mount Vernon.
Day Five was from Mt. Vernon, WA thru the Cascades and then to Spokane. This is where we are now, with my father planning to head home in the morning while I head east into a spot of weather.
Although I hope to get through Idaho, a visit to Yellowstone and then get into Cody, WY, I'm thinking it will be a long, long day should I hit rain storms along the way.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Yosemite to Redding, CA
The park at Yosemite is truly jaw dropping beautiful! After riding from Mammoth Lakes into the park, it seemed that every turn was another opportunity to feel rather small in this world. The scale of the moutains and valleys was something I'd never seen before, save for the Grand Canyon when I was much younger. I'm sad to say that I didn't get all the pictures I wanted to, but if I had I would *still* be there!
Once I left the park, I then headed to I-5 for the run north to Redding. As I was going to Merced, it hit me that I was about due for an oil change. Merced Motorsports put me to the front of the line when I told them I was on a Four Corners Tour and I very much appreciated that. It was also the first time that an oil change cost me less than $100. Not sure why it is cheaper here than in Virginia, but it must be the difference in labor rates.
Next is Crater Lake, then turning towards Portland to Camas, WA to visit my father and grandmother.
Here's the link to the route and the pictures I took along the way.
Once I left the park, I then headed to I-5 for the run north to Redding. As I was going to Merced, it hit me that I was about due for an oil change. Merced Motorsports put me to the front of the line when I told them I was on a Four Corners Tour and I very much appreciated that. It was also the first time that an oil change cost me less than $100. Not sure why it is cheaper here than in Virginia, but it must be the difference in labor rates.
Next is Crater Lake, then turning towards Portland to Camas, WA to visit my father and grandmother.
Here's the link to the route and the pictures I took along the way.
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