|
I forgot to mention in yesterdays page Wall Drug in Wall, SD. I'd go back and add it to yesterdays post but it's already too long. Wall Drug is insane. I've seen their bumper stickers all over the country but never knew what it was until I spent the day seeing billboards for Wall Drug all along route 90. In August, South Dakota is insufferably hot and barren (I suppose it'a always barren). Not friendly terrain at all. The homesteaders out here were either insane or, well insane. Wall, SD is truly in the middle of nowhere. And in the middle of Wall, SD is Wall Drug. I don't even know how to describe the place except maybe it's the Disney-land of merchantilia. Just go look at the web-site: http://www.walldrug.com. Make sure you take the virtual tour.
So anyway, I woke up in Luverne, Minnesota this day and headed back onto 90 determined to make it to Albany, NY by Saturday, September 2. There wasn't much to distract me in Minnesota. I drove past an exit stating that Laura Ingalls Wilder home was close by; now I know. I met a fairly insane old American Indian guy who spent all of his time touring on his 1986 HD which he proudly proclaimed had 278,000 miles on it with only a head rebuild. While talking to this guy (or more accurately, listening to him talk) another HD rider sidled up. After a soda he and I rode off side by side down highway 90 for the next 75 miles or so. Eventually he turned off towards home with a raised fist salute and I was back touring alone. It's nice to ride with someone if only for a short time. It's also nice to watch the other person head off into their own life and keep on going.
Late in the afternoon I stopped at LaCrosse Harley Davidson in LaCrosse, Wisconson for an oil change. If you're ever in LaCrosse you owe it to yourself to stop in at LaCrosse HD and just look around. Not only do they have a good selection of bikes and gear but the place is run by beautiful blonde women. An oasis. I bought a gas cap emblem and stood around chatting with the parts girl while I waited for my bike. Nice dealership.
I made it to Elgin, Illinois that night where I got a bargain price at a Crowne Plaza hotel. Aparently the trick is to walk in late and ask for directions to a more affordable hotel. I got a suite with a jacuzzi tub that night for $75 bucks. Slept like a big fat baby. |
