“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                                  Summer Trip 2023

Now you have some idea of the weather I rode inn ALL DAY!

     The fourth day of the trip proved to be the most difficult. I only rode about 340 miles, but hit rain by     9 am. The rain would be heavy at times, really reducing visibility down to yards. There was fog at times, and windy conditions. Very challenging riding conditions. 

As I rode across South Dakota I went through this town. 

For a minute I thought I had made a wrong turn!

        The route today was simple. Ride US 212 across South Dakota from Watertown SD to Belle   Fourche SD. The route was not the challenge, the weather was. Hour after riding through rain, heavy at times, and the Gold Wing did not miss a beat. I stopped for lunch at Eagle Butte SD, eager to get out of the rain for a while. Just west of there I came to a sign that said pavement ends. No…this can’t be right! Right away I had to brake hard. The road turned into mud with many pot holes for about 2 miles. Not fun on a big bike, in the rain…obviously very slippery conditions. 

Not many pictures today. It was simply too wet to stop for photos!

        By the time ( 11:00 ) I stopped for lunch I had ridden a little over 200 miles. I had about 140 miles to go. This should have taken 2 1/2 hours or so. It ended up taking just about that. I got to the motel around      3 pm. When I ride in these type of conditions I ride “gently.” No sudden braking or turning. Easy on the throttle, leave plenty of room from me to vehicles in front of me. I reduced speed, looked over the windshield, not through it. By riding gently I got to my chosen destination. The weather is supposed to break tomorrow. Around 260 miles to Billings MT. Plenty of time to “smell the roses.” After today I’m looking forward to it!