Head clearing ride...

It was a blissfully cool day today.  Yes, perspective once again, but it was in the low 70s for most of our ride.

I suggested we take Nemo Road to Norris Peak Road (there is a bridge out just north of the turn for Norris Peak Road), then head out to Highway 44, etc, etc, on to Vanocker Canyon Road.

Nemo Road out of Rapid City used to be a motorcycling favorite until they paved Vanocker Canyon Road.

We were cruising right along, and then... trucks blocking the road.  No sign, no advance notice.  We waited for a couple minutes and then I got off my scoot and went to talk to a guy who was just sitting in a large gravel hauler truck... "This road is closed - it won't be open until 4:00 and then it will be just one lane."

OK, so we rode that same road back to Rapid City; then, to Highway 44 and out to Highway 385...

A stop to re-hydrate and change camera batteries at the start of Vanocker Canyon Road...

And, we're off again...

We decided a picnic in Sturgis would be good.  Joan remembered that there were picnic tables at the stage area in the middle of downtown.  It's a couple weeks before the Rally - there are some motorcycles in town, but mostly cars.  We grabbed a parking spot across the street from the picnic tables...

Lunch was good.  My vantage point was towards Main Street, and there were people playing tourist, taking photos and looking around.  Time for us to roll...

Lazelle St, one of the main roads through Sturgis was pretty quiet...

Looking for a different route home, we decided to go past the Buffalo Chip campground and take Ft Meade Way back to the Interstate...

That is the sign for the Buffalo Chip Campground at right center above.  The road from there to the Interstate looked like it was paved on Maps... it wasn't.  I really don't like riding on gravel...

The 12" wheels on the Vespa don't mix well with gravel, and it is a foregone conclusion that the scoots will be dusty when we get back to Hart Ranch.

From there, it was Interstate and highway back to Hart Ranch...

We rode about 150 miles today, so I was ready for a fuel stop (Joan's Xmax was still at 1/2 a tank)... I got 89.4 mpg, Joan got 98.4 mpg.  A guy filling his car at the gas station asked if we get good gas mileage with "those."  He was astounded when we told him what we just calculated.

Back home, when it was time for supper, I grilled steaks; Joan made a salad, fresh bread, and baked potatoes.  As dusk closed in, I took Rufus for a walk.  In the site we are in, he is more inclined to walk in the grass along the street... three people (two kids and an adult) asked if they could pet him, and I had to say no... "Sorry, with the virus, we don't shake hands and no petting."

Of course, the small kids didn't understand... "Is he mean?" a little girl asked.

"No, he's a sweet boy.  But, no touching right now."

Rufus doesn't understand, either... he likes the attention.