7/2 - Day 29

Ahhh, the sun.  It is incredible how well this natural sphere, so many miles away, can dry out bags, clothes, etc. just about as good as any drying machine.  In short, I appreciated the morning rays.

Cycling conditions were spectacular, with low heat and almost no wind.

Wind conditions were so calm that indeed it was a day of doubles.  With so many ponds, lakes, and water features strewn along the road, this made for some brilliant views.

Pheasant country.  It is crazy how many pheasant I see as road kill.  Truly.  Though I can say they have a rather strange exit flight pattern, leaving at barely the last moment before flying with killer speed away.  The wing motion is rather unique as well, with spurts of intense flapping followed by a flat horizontal for control.  Beautiful to watch.

One such unlucky pheasant.

The lonely road (no I didn't ride this one).

Gene and Ginger (or as she pronounced it with thick east coast accent, 'Ginja'), out for a morning ride along SR212.  They had stopped to take a photo of me, so we exchanged 1 for 1. 

This is what I had stopped to photograph when they pulled over.  A barbed wire fence ascending and descending into still water.  It was gorgeous.

Detail.  Oxidation of sky-blue painted water tower sparkling in the sun.

Power along the plains.

Hay bales with tractor marks in field.

Reflection.  Fence post.

South Dakota, state of small towns.

Cheese!  If there is one thing I've noticed on the many miles through the country, it is that cows love to stare.  It is rather amusing, and GREAT for photos...

EKG of the day's ride (reflected reeds).  So many exciting things happening.

Including meeting this amazing man, Glenn, who is running 3100+ miles from coast to coast (averaging 50 miles per day) as a means to raise funds for an Alzheimer's cure.  More information here.  He is a tremendous inspiration and a truly kind man.  Good luck Glenn!!!

All colors were so vibrant for the day.

Detail.  Truck front.

Close-up of the common gray weathered wood peaking through layers of red paint.  This on the side of a Honda store.

Red, white and blue.

Detail.  Hay bale.

Old house along SR212.

Preparing to cross the Missouri River at Lake Oahe.

While passing through La Plant along SR212 en route to Eagle Butte, I had the fortune of listening to some tribal chanting, which extended a good mile or so down the road, echoing off the surrounding hills.  It was spectacular.

Buttes of South Dakota.  (See definition)

Detail.  Post Office.  Ridgeview, SD.

Final destination for the day.  Eagle Butte, SD.

7/1 - Day 28

Leaving Dan + Angie's in the morning.

Glass distributor building.  Aberdeen, SD.

Detail.  Building texture 1. Aberdeen, SD.

Detail.  Building texture 2. Aberdeen, SD.

Grain mill.  Aberdeen, SD.

Puddle in the rut.  SR12 westbound leaving Aberdeen.  The morning's ride couldn't have been any better.  Running in parallel with the rail line on flat grades, cloud cover and temps in the low 70's made these the exact opposite of the previous day's conditions.  I never cease to be amazed by how much weather can vary from day to day.  It is especially notable when one is affected by it in such a direct way (as exposed on the seat of a bicycle). 

Crossing Snake River westbound.  I was struck by this railroad bridge reflecting in the still waters, surrounded by the lush verdant surrounds.

Train cars dotting the horizon.  Cars headed eastbound into Aberdeen.

I was super thankful to have escaped the morning's rain for the first 28 miles into Ipswich, at which point on arrival the rain starting coming strong.  As such I decided to tuck into the Yellowstone Trail Cafe, where I enjoyed some coffee with a cinnamon roll.  The kind owner Deb insisted on treating me.  Thank you so much, Deb the food and coffee were delicious!  The time allowed me to dodge some pellets and do a few more RWBB sketches.

In spite of my attempt to let the front pass, I was greeted by steady rain for the next 30 miles into Faulkton, SD.  Thank goodness for fenders as they aided significantly in keeping the gear 'dry'.

The rains ranged from moderate to heavy, and I was even greeted by a few close lightning strikes (wish I had a photo of them, they were beautiful!, though not as much while in the open on a bike, haha) which lit up the sky and made me shiver a little more from my already cold state.

Common sense told me that close lightning = potential problems, so I decided to call it a day upon arrival to Faulkton, SD.  I was soaked to the bone!  Yet I couldn't help but be entertained by the vast difference from one day to the next.  Saturated with salt, saturated with sky.  Saturated with great experiences (and thankful), that's for sure...

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