Sturgis 04 Main
Route Map
Daily Journal
Getting There
Being There
Getting Back
The Buffalo Chip, SD Sat. 8/7 (37 mi)
Got up (slowly), had a free pancake breakfast, organized my stuff, then headed out to Bear Butte,
then Sturgis for supplies. Got back to camp, took a nap, and hung out until a brief hail/rain storm hit.
Relaxed the rest of the evening before watching Montgomery Gentry.
The Buffalo Chip, SD Sun. 8/8 (12 mi)
Rode back over to Bear Butte to make the 2 mile (1000 ft vertical) climb to the top. Bear Butte is Lakota holy ground, and it was easy to understand why - it was an incredible experience climbing up it to see the beautiful view.
Spent some time with a woman who had climbed up there to pray for lost loved ones, as many people seem to do. I was quite moved by the whole experience.
Got back down and went over to the full-throttle saloon for some lunch (and a distinct change of pace).
Got back to the camp for some relaxation, cooked some dinner, and then watched Blue Oyster Cult and Styx (with some friends) from the camp site. Finally went to sleep after one of the most memorable and perfect days I have ever had.
The Buffalo Chip, SD Mon. 8/9 (100 mi)
Went to Rapid City to work out at "The Weight Room" in the morning. Rode around a little before returning
to the Chip, then made a dash up to Spearfish for supplies. Took a good back road to get home, but the
traffic getting back to the Chip was horrible. Still, made it back in plenty of time for the incredible
ZZ Top concert.
More ZZ Top Pictures
The Buffalo Chip, SD Tue. 8/10 (0 mi)
Got up late (and again, slowly) and cooked breakfast with the neighbors. Wandered around the Chip for a while.
Watched Carolyn Wonderland Band for a while (even dancing a little). Met Bo and went back to his RV for a few drinks.
Rode back to the stage to watch the Rock 'n Roll All-Stars Band (Alice Cooper guitarist, Rare Earth Drummer/Vocals,
Sugarloaf Keyboardist, etc.). 
Skipped the Beach Boys to have more drinks and food at Bo's RV. Went back to camp
to find some other friends, but had little luck. Nearly froze that night as temperatures dropped into the low 40's.
The Buffalo Chip, SD Wed. 8/11 (202 mi)
Got up and headed over to meet Bo and friends around 10:00 to take a ride through the Black Hills.
Took the back way out of Sturgis, down Vanacker Canyon, and stopped for lunch in Hill City. Stopped at
the Crazy Horse Monument, and then took Iron Mountain Road to Rapid City and home. Got back and took a
nap before heading down to REO Speedwagon and Heart.
Heart Pictures
The Buffalo Chip, SD Thu. 8/12 (10 mi)
Got up and went over to the Full Throttle to see the chopper exhibits and take a test drive on a Boss Hoss. Quite a Bike! Went back to camp and hung out to watch the very different Kid Rock crowd filtering in. Watched the concert (including Carolyn Wonderland) alone from camp.
Contact me at: rf6gunz@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2005, Rick Fletcher
