Every day just keeps getting better and better. Today we left Hot Springs, SD and headed through the Black Hills. The last time I was in Hot Springs, SD with my family it was 114 degrees and I couldn’t wait to leave. I felt much the same way this time, due again to the heat yesterday. The people and the food were wonderful.

We had a lot of wind today, all day. It was hard work pedaling into the wind even when taking turns. But as we started into the Black Hills we almost forgot about the wind due to the beauty all around us. For many it was their first time to see live bison and fields of prairie dogs. Crossing on the road with bison on both sides and moving back and forth across the road is a bit disconcerting. We had two close encounters with bison today. Someone found out this is the bison mating season. We could hear them making a growling kind of sound and butting heads.

Prairie dogs sat up straight and barked at us as we rode by. I took that to be their way of saluting us as we rode through their territory. As we climbed toward Mt. Rushmore we got into hills and trees and rock cliffs. Be sure to look at the photo journal. I think the Black Hills are one of the most beautiful places in America.

As we stood at the base of the four presidents, we all felt like there is no better way to see America than by bike. Many people asked us where we were going and where we came from. People’s jaws drop when we tell them we have ridden from Astoria, Oregon and that we are on our way to Portsmouth, NH.

We stopped for lunch in Keystone, just at the base of Mt. Rushmore. Then we hit the road and headed for Rapid City. Winds persisted! We took turns pulling for each other and from time to time we would individually break away from the pack, only to be reeled in. Mary even smoked the three of us and left us in the dust. So on the next up hill the three of us dropped into a pace line and zoomed by Mary so fast it would make your head swim. All we could hear in the distance was, “Hey guys, wait up! I was just kidding!”

We made it into Rapid City about 1:00 PM. This is early for us. Good news! Karen should be released from the hospital tonight. She is in good spirits and she and her husband, Darrel, are working on fixing her bike and ordering her a new helmet so she can rejoin the tour. I am amazed at her resolve. We are all so glad that she will be all right.

The Stop A Lots talk all the time about how this tour brings people together from all over the USA and from very diverse backgrounds, and for 50 days we all become a traveling family. I mean, just like a family. We have quite a number of educators on the trip, a number of nurses, and other professions represented as well. We have a great group of people who support each other’s success.

Well, tomorrow we head to Wall. It should be fairly easy provided we get out early and beat the heat and the wind. Thanks for riding along and I’ll see you in Wall. ONLY 56.7 MILES TO WALL DRUG!

Click here to see more pictures from today!