19 Aug - New Mattress, Liberty Haircut, Sturgis SD and Ed's Motorcycle History!

19 Aug
This morning we anxiously awaited the arrival of our new mattress, which we bought the day before.  I had to drive to the commercial gate at Ellsworth Air Force base and vouch for/escort the delivery guys, then we made our way to the FamCamp and they  installed the new mattress.   We are looking forward to an improved night's sleep!  Hopefully it will help with Doreen's back issues.

Liberty's haircut appointment is for 1130 hrs, so about 1100 hrs we drove to Petsmart about 5 miles down I-90 and dropped her off. Then we headed west on I-90 about 25 miles to Sturgis SD.

The iconic sign.  Our picture was taken by a couple from England, traveling on a Harley

Most have likely heard of Sturgis South Dakota, but it's claim to fame is it's annual motorcycle rally which is held usually the first full week of August for ten days. It draws participant's from all around the world.  It started in 1938 by a group of Indian Motorcycle riders and was originally held for stunts and races. Later it grew into hill climbing and other events.  Attendance has historically been around one half million people, reaching an estimated 739,000 in 2015, and generating around $800 million in revenue!

So the big rally ended last weekend and we were able to get in to Sturgis no problem.  Here is a picture of the main street during the rally and then one taken today!

Downtown Sturgis during the rally!

Downtown Sturgis Today!!

We walked around downtown and stopped at one of the iconic watering holes here for lunch, the Knuckle Saloon.

 There are many "watering holes" for the motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy and souvenir shops along the sidewalks.  

A little "Ed" history:  I have owned several motorcycles in my days and I have a true appreciation for motorcycles even though I no longer own one. Mine were toys compared to the big Harley's here, but I still enjoyed them at the time.   I also have no desire to get back into that at this point, but I still carry the motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license.

The very first motorcycle I bought was in 1971 as a sophomore in high school in Cedar Falls IA and it was a mint 1960 Yamaha 80cc, two cycle, single cylinder.  I bought this cheap from a college student in need of money.  It was immaculate and ran very smoothly.  It was complete, even with the little factory original tool kit.  Not a whole lot of "get-up-and-go" but at only 80cc's, the piston was about as big around as the neck of a pop bottle!  I had a lot of fun puttsing around town on this.

This is an actual picture I took of my first motorcycle in Cedar Falls.

The next one I bought was also in Cedar Falls as a junior in high school in 1972, a new 1972 Kawasaki KZ350, 350cc 3 cylinder two cycle oil injected 45 hp.  This sucker sca-reamed.  Would do a wheelee by just cracking the throttle!  My dad forced me to take out a loan to buy this even though I had enough money to pay cash for it.  He wanted me to build my credit rating.  I sold it right before leaving for the Air Force.

This is also an actual picture of my motorcycle taken in our driveway at Cedar falls

The last one I owned was in Norwalk IA.  I bought in 1984, just two years old, a  used 1982 Kawasaki 440 LTD.  440 cc, twin cylinder 4 cycle.  A beautiful black and chrome bike. I loved the seat on this bike.

This is a stock photo, not mine but the same bike.

I was on the Norwalk Fire Department when I owned this, and I had a blue light permit, so responding to the fire station I could turn on my blue lights and ask for others to yield to me.  So I mounted two chrome "loli-pop" lights with blue lenses on the front and they flashed in a wig-wag pattern!  

Enough reminiscing!  We stopped and toured the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, which is an amazing place!  There is a lot of history about the Sturgis rally and an unbelievable collection of motorcycles.  From Hondas to Harleys, BSA's to Indians.  Beautiful!  Here are a few pictures:

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

Harley's, various years and models.

1904 Harley Davidson Strap tank single, made in Milwaukee WI

1912 Flying Merkel racer.  Well known as one of the fastest racing motorcycles in it's day.

 

I would love to have this.  A 1943 Indian "Military Scout 741".  The military used many different Indian Motorcycles during World War II.  This one was used as a courier/scout.  Perfectly restored.

Some very old Harley's.

The Sturgis Hall of Fame

A 1908 Harley!

A 1955 Indian Woodsman

Sturgis 50th Anniversary bike.  24 carat gold plated parts and trim,

Leaving Sturgis we planned to drive to Deadwood SD but received a call that Liberty was done, so we headed back to Rapid City and picked her up.  We have plenty of time here and will do Deadwood another day.  

As a 'Comm Guy" in the Air Guard and Air Force my entire adult life, I had to laugh at the street the Pet Smart is on.  For those of you "seasoned" computer users, you will get a kick out of this:

Tomorrow we may drive to Devil's Tower, depending on how Doreen's back in feeling.  She is really hurting now and can't seem to get comfortable.  Ibuprofen does not seem to be helping.