What IS that??

A spectacular day in the beautiful Black Hills.  I was craving some steak tips, so it was off to Sturgis, via Vanocker Canyon for lunch at the Loud American Roadhouse.

The Vespa with the phone plugged in and ready to shoot with the Akaso V50 Pro...

Leaving Hart Ranch, set your watch back to the 50s...

To get to the good riding, we have to go through the west side of Rapid City - and construction...

A taste of what's to come as we head out of Rapid...

That car that was in front of us chose to drive about 10mph below the speed limit on Highway 44 (Rimrock Highway)...

Not many opportunities to pass, so there was a line of traffic behind us until that car turned off.  We made our turn at Johnson Siding, getting on Norris Peak Road...

No traffic, perfect weather, and lots of curves - nice riding.  Turning onto Nemo Road, still no traffic; rolling into the community of Nemo...

Just past Nemo, we turn onto Vanocker Canyon Road - one of our favorites...

We have been asked if the scooters can handle hills...

Yep - lots of steep hills to add fun to the curves in Vanocker Canyon.

Pretty quiet in Sturgis.  This is Sturgis Harley Davidson, just before Main Street...

Main Street, just 4 days after the Rally...

We parked our scoots near the Loud American Roadhouse, and sat at an outside table for lunch (the steak tips were tasty!)...

We had no plan, but decided to head back on those same great roads that brought us here.  Another look at how quiet it is on Main Street...

Into Vanocker Canyon again...

Nemo Road...

We better slow down a bit...

Through the curves...

And the hills...

OK, now we really need to slow down...

And then back to the ranch...

What about the title?  Thanks for asking.  You have to clear security as you come into Hart Ranch.   One of the Security guys is from Spearfish, and knows us - he waved us on.  The other Security guy came out of the hut and asked me, "What is that?  That is the coolest thing I've seen!"

My response, "Um, this?  This is a Vespa."

Security guy, "Who makes that?"

"Um, Vespa."

"Vespa?  Is that the brand?"

"Yeah, Vespa - you know, like the original scooter."

"Where can a guy get one?"

"I'd try a Vespa dealer."

"Is there one of those in Rapid City?"

"No, there isn't a Vespa dealer in the entire state."  Joan didn't see the guy come running out of the guard shack and had already pulled away.  I said, "Well, I better catch up with my wife before she leaves me."

"OK - you go.  Vespa - I'll remember that!"

That was unusual.  Normally when anyone finds out we ride scooters, they ask, "You mean like a Vespa?"

Yeah.  ;-)