Formation...

 

The Air Force is having some aerial training at Ellsworth Air Force Base this week, but this is ground based...

 

A group of Hells Angels rode by us in a very tight formation yesterday.  Apparently, there is a Hells Angels gathering prior to the Sturgis Rally.

Yeah, the conditions were very smoky.  No, I didn't see a Vespa in that group, although there were bikes other than Harleys.

----------

Car Show...

There was a classic car show at the Hart Ranch Rodeo Grounds this morning.  I really enjoy stuff like this, so I rode my bike down to the rodeo grounds, bringing along the 4K module of one of my 360 cameras to shoot some still images.  Lots of fun cars to enjoy...

I was captivated by the 65 GTO (above and below) - the owner seemed happy to be able to tell someone about it.  If it were mine (he's had it since it was new), I would be proud, too...

Yes, the lens on this camera is very wide angle - I felt it worked for this outing.

Just the car you need for riding down the Freeway of Love.  ;-)

Another highlight of this outing was seeing friends Scot and Marlene - nice to catch up with them (it's been a couple years).

Pedaled back to the motorhome, where Joan and Rufus were sitting out on the patio, with the sunscreen out on the awning.  I took Rufus for a walk, where he got to be nose to nose with an Old English Sheepdog and an Australian Shepard.  Apparently a first "cat experience" with both dogs, and all three handled it well.

Then, smoothies on the patio and I got the Emerald X20 out for some music while Joan brushed the big furry boy.  Nice way to spend this less smoky morning.

When the rain comes...

 

... they run and hide their heads.  If you said, "The Beatles, 1966, on the B-side opposite Paperback Writer," you get 30 bonus points.  Yes, there have been other songs and writings with that phrase or title, but: The Beatles.

We had rain overnight.  It was lovely - no severe weather, but a steady rain that gave us somewhere on the far side of 1/2 inch here.  We sat outside on the patio yesterday evening, took Rufus for a walk, and just enjoyed the nice weather.

The view out the dinette window this morning...

 Last night we agreed that today would be a "slack day"... I chuckled... our days often start with that thought in mind, then: "We can't waste a beautiful day like today."  Which is a lot better than: "It's too damn hot to do anything outside."

Might be too wet for a morning bicycle ride today.  Unlike my Vespa, the e-bike didn't come with fenders.

Oh, and: 58º to start the morning.  I think the last time I saw 58º was during "the big freeze last February in Texas."

So, that's more like it!

 

Out on the scoots today.  No cameras, no 360 video, just fun riding.  And while the riding was big fun, the weather was glorious: around 78º for most of our ride.  Through the curves, up the hills, and very little traffic.  Not sure what good thing I did to get Mother Nature and the Traffic Gods to agree on this fine day, but I'll take it!

At a short stop...

 

That was a brief stop, nothing to do with a baseball player.  Yes, the chin bar was off my helmet, 'cause I was taking a drink of some nice cool water.  It was back on for the ride.  Yes, I'm still considering another helmet.  Information overload on that front; don't want to cloud my head with those decisions while I'm riding.

Did I mention: glorious?!!

:-)

--------

Fueling up the Vespa on the way back to the coach: 88.8 mpg.  Joan didn't need gas, since her Xmax has about twice the range of my Vespa (bigger fuel tank and she gets better mpg).

One Day At A Time...

 

If you said, "A TV sit-com series that ran from 1975 to 1984," you get 20 bonus points.  If you said, "A TV sit-com series that ran from 2017 to 2020, based on the series first mentioned, with a newly single Cuban-American Mom," you still get 20 bonus points.

Nothing to do with sit-coms, though - one more day with a high at or around 100º today.  Then, predicted to be back in the 80s for a few days.  I haven't thought of 80s as being cool, but it will be a welcome relief.

Also, a delight to be back on a premium site.  Well, "premium" is my description, because all the sites in the main part of the resort, except those in the Meadows, are double-wide paved sites.  It was nice when Rufus wanted to sit outside this morning, and I could be on the nice, level pavement, while he could sit in the more manicured grass, watching people walk by.  And no gravel.  We walked in the wide-open grassy area behind the motorhome, and he got to meet a couple more neighborhood dogs.  And, two more ladies telling him how handsome he is.  He likes that.  Who wouldn't?

It was 73º when I first got up at 6:30; shortly after 7:00, when Ruf and I went outside, it was already in the low 80s.  We face north on this site, so I put the awning out to block the morning sun on the east-facing patio...

 

An easy, slow-paced day is the plan for the day.  A trip into town for groceries this morning, then kick back.  I consulted my horoscope for today: "Ice cream is in your future."  Yeah, I'm kidding - I'm not into that horoscope stuff... and ice cream is always in my future.  ;-)

------

Self-fulfilling prophecy...

Above, I mentioned "slow-paced"... whoda thunk it would be wall-to-wall people at the Wally World this morning?  Pretty sure it is like Roller Derby: some of the players are "blockers" - they are there just to make sure you can't get through.  Wally Derby... they aren't buying anything, they are just there to slow you down.

From there, we stopped at Jimmy John's to get a sandwich we can put in the fridge.  Just in case we want to have a picnic while out on the scoots.  They advertise that they are "freaky fast."  They weren't.  I mean really slow.  Next: I felt like a brisket sandwich at Arby's.  And a potato cake (those triangle-shaped hash brown kinda potato).  They no longer have potato cakes.  And, after waiting for 20 minutes in the drive through line, just to get to the menu, I had to settle for their new "Krinkle Fries."  Had to wait almost that long again after we ordered.  Not saying they were slow, but they made Jimmy John's seem freaky fast by comparison.  Joan ordered their new chicken nuggets... if you've seen their ad on TV where James Earl Jones says that whoever designed the competition's chicken nuggets "just gave up."  Well, the Arby's nuggets were so-so, and then I find out it isn't James Earl Jones who does the voice for Arby's, it is Ving Rhames!!??

I need a nap.  Joan says it will help me feel rejuvenated... I don't remember ever feeling juvenated.

------

Getting that Jimmy John's sandwich only drove home the point that I haven't been out on a scooter ride in over 3 days.  Getting in scooter rides is why we come here.  Well, that and getting away from the heat.  How's that workin' for you, Jim?

No, moving the scooter from the RV site in the Meadows to the one we are now in (less than a half mile) doesn't count as "a ride."

The best present EVER!

 

A late birthday present?  No.  Joan got a package from Amazon yesterday, and when she opened the box and put it aside...

 "OMG - this is the best present ever!  I love this box!  It's what I always wanted!  Thank you so much!"

Instead of tossing the box, Joan made it even more comfortable for the furry boy, putting in a quilted pad she made for him.  This morning... he walked around the box, not wanting anything to do with it.  He may have loads of personality, but he still has cat qualities.  ;-)

I had a package to pick up, also: a LidPicker kit.  "What's a LidPicker kit?" you ask.  Thanks for asking.  I have been considering another helmet.  Looking at reviews and specs, I've narrowed it down to 3.  While you wear a helmet for the protection that you hope you will never need, the fit and comfort is important.  Not to mention the visibility and how quiet it is.  Noise while riding can be tiring.  We both have helmets we like, but I do wear ear plugs if I know I am going to be doing a lot of highway riding.  The three I'm looking at have the best ratings for quiet.  Fit, however is a very personal thing.  My current Nolan helmet fits the shape of my head.  Their modular (flip front) model gets good ratings on everything but noise.

I have not been able to find any motorcycle dealer around here who handles premium helmets.  They can order them (well, one dealer said they won't order a helmet if you haven't already tried on one of that same model), but you have no idea how it will fit the shape of your head.  Nothing beats being able to try on a helmet to know if it will fit.

Enter LidPicker.  It is a kit that has a set of wooden calipers, a cloth tape measure, and what I'm calling "a head sock" (like a cloth condom for the top of your head).  When you order the kit, you follow their instructions for measuring your head: circumference, width, and length.  You send them that info and they have an extensive list of helmets that they tell you should or probably won't fit.  Along with the admonition that "trying on a helmet is still the best way to determine if it will fit you."  As an added incentive, they were throwing in a free pair of sunglasses... inexpensive to be sure, but they seem designed to fit well under a helmet.  I went for it...

It's a look.  ;-)  I entered my measurements on their form and received my "personal" recommendations for what helmets they thing will fit.  This is also part of the cost of the kit - you have to have a password to get the PDF form for you.

I got lucky a few years ago when I was looking for the Nolan: Nolan had a display set up in the Harley dealer during the Rally - I was able to try on the helmet before putting down my money.  I have never ordered a helmet online; that may change.  Thanks to YouTube, there are thousands of helmet reviews online, for any model you might be considering.  That still doesn't take the place of trying one on in person.  Many of the online retailers will ship you the helmet and allow you to return it if it doesn't fit.  I'll look around during the Rally to see if any helmet dealers are here... realistically, helmets are not a big seller during the Rally.

So, if nothing else, I can still wear the head sock.

------

So Damn Hot...

The weasels were calling for 104º today.  They only missed it by 2º... yep, 106º.  We planned to keep things light today.  Out for lunch at a Chinese place in Rapid City.  We talked about getting some groceries, but decided to do that another day and check out some helmets again... in person... 'cause I now have a head condom.

Of course, none of the RC dealers had the models I was looking for.  One dealer did have two carbon fiber helmets... a small and an extra-small... in a brand I'm not familiar with.  I did try on a few that could be a fall-back if no one at the Rally has what I'm looking for (and I'm not putting much stock in that).

When we came back to Hart Ranch, we drove by the site where we are supposed to move to tomorrow - it was vacant.  I checked with the Front Desk, and the nice lady there said we could move onto that site now if we wanted... or first thing in the morning when it might be cooler.  By this point, it was down to 104º - it was a unanimous vote for "Let's get out of the gravel!"

We agreed that we'd "take it nice and easy."  We kid ourselves like that a lot.  As usual, a move here is done in stages: today it was motorhome first, then the scoots, and all our patio stuff in the cargo trailer behind the Honda.  The coach makes its own afternoon shade on the patio (and, yes, it is a lovely double wide concrete site); that meant all the utilities, which are on the other side of the coach, are in the blazing sun.  We were able to trim that one-hour job down to an hour and 45 minutes.  Moving slow and drinking a lot of water.  And every joint feeling the aches of dehydration.  On the bright side, we are moved!  We can sleep in tomorrow if we want (likely won't).  We're back out on the perimeter, where Rufus will be able to walk as far as he wants in the grass.  One catch: the fenced-in dog run is behind our coach... Rufus loves to sniff around that fenced area, but he will be able to see every dog come and go... he may make some new friends.  This site is around the corner and 3 sites away from where we were during our first 21 days - we like the neighborhood.

Now, at 7:00pm, it is down to 96º... the a/c in the coach is blasting on high.  With the trip from the other site to this one being about a half mile, we ran the generator so we could have the house air and the dash air both on hi.  It helped.  Some.

One more hot one tomorrow - they're calling for 100º as a high temperature.  Nothing we have to get done; glad to have this move out of the way.

The new digs...

I'll get a better photo tomorrow, if Ruf and I get out for a morning walk before it gets too hot.

More Hot...

 

Hotter or just more of the same?  Thanks for asking - more of the same, through Wednesday, which will be moving day for us.  I'm looking forward to getting back on a paved pad again.  Yes, it is easy to get spoiled by the nice RV sites in the main part of Hart Ranch.  It is supposed to be 101º on Wednesday, so I'm hoping we can get an early start on it, like our last move.

We had planned to get out and about with the car today, but sometimes life gets in the way.  Looks like we will be staying closer to home.  One of us needed a prescription (yes, we're all fine), so it meant a trip to Urgent Care.  All things considered, it was a relatively easy process.  While waiting to go back to an exam room, I watched people come in... there is a sign on the outside door that says "Masks Are Required"... hey, it's a medical facility.  Yet, people would come in without masks... "This is bullshit - do you have a mask I can borrow?"

Apparently, it is not good form to say, "Yeah, here's one - the guy that wore it last died, so he won't be needing it."  Borrow?  Who wouldn't know that you need a mask to go into a medical facility?  Medical science hasn't come up with a cure for stupid, yet.  When/if they do, stupid people will think it is a conspiracy.

While messing with my phone, a thought came to me: one of the newest, bestest featured on my iPhone was facial recognition... pick up the phone, and when it sees your face, it opens.  No button pushing.  In fact, there is no home button to read your fingerprint.  Just in time for the pandemic and face masks.  So instead of one button with your finger print, you get to type in the numbers of your password to open the phone.  Technology is great. 

We have a new neighbor here in the Meadows.  The guy came roaring in with his UTV to toss out bicycles and flower pots.  Storage must have moved their 5th wheel onto the site, since there is no sign of a truck.  They put up a fence to contain their dog (haven't see the dog, yet).  They have "spread out a bit", with their UTV on the grass in our site.  No, we aren't "using" that grass, just shows how the demise of polite continues.

I took Rufus for a walk this morning.  Already hot out.  A guy who is working on cement patios being installed saw Ruf and said, "What a great looking cat!  That mane is gorgeous, but it sure looks hot!"  (He has been pouring cement, in the hot sun.  The cement guy, not Rufus.)

I said, "Yeah, all the girls tell him he is hot... oh, probably not what you meant, huh?"  They first notice him because he is walking on a leash, then go on to say how good looking he is.  They rarely comment on the good looks of the guy walking him, but that's probably because they don't want to seem too forward.

So, a bit of random thoughts today instead of a "what's happening" post.  Hot.  Hot is what's happening.

;-)

Hot!

 

Or, as we in the business say: "Hot!"

Three more hot days, with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s, then it is supposed to moderate.  Back to the 80s; I'm looking forward to it.

Back from my morning bicycle ride, Joan asked, "Are you wanting to go for a scooter ride today?"

"I don't know - it's pretty hot out there."

She said, "I think I will get some laundry done.  If you want to go ride, I'll meet you back here in two hours and you can take me to Sonic for some ice cream."

She had me at "ice cream."

So, out into the blast furnace on the Vespa.  I decided to do our favorite "loop": the 4 curvy roads to Iron Mountain Road, then loop around back home again.  I thought I might make a narrated video of just the Iron Mountain Road portion of the ride.  My Instamic and Insta360 One R camera had different ideas... apparently, they aren't talking to each other.  I understand - the heat makes everybody cranky.

I rode the twisty stuff to a pull-out on Iron Mountain Road, where I knew there would be some shade.  A Harley was parked in that spot, but plenty of room for me next to it.  The couple from the Harley were sitting in the grass about 100 feet away... they didn't ever hear me pull in.  I was cooling off with some ice water and getting my video gear ready when they came back to their bike... we visited for a bit before they left.  I fussed with the camera and mic some more, then just turned the camera on and let it run while I rode.

Here's 27 minutes of Iron Mountain Road in "hyper-speed" (don't watch this right after eating)...

 

It's what you do when what you planned to do didn't play out.  ;-)

A couple rain drops found their way to my windshield and helmet face shield before I got back to the motorhome.  The heat left me wiped.  Joan pulled in about 5 minutes after I got there.  Laundry put away then off to Sonic... that was truly refreshing.

We we got back to the coach, I told Joan I was going to lay down for a bit.  Rufus came back to the bedroom, hopped up beside me, put his big furry face up to mine, took a sniff, and said: "You had ice cream, didn't you?  You had ice cream and you didn't bring me any??!!"

We don't give him ice cream, but he did get some refrigerated tuna, and then he breathed that in my face.

It will probably be too warm to take him for a walk until after 8:00 this evening.

More of the same tomorrow weather-wise... there is some discussion of some cruising around in air conditioned comfort in the car tomorrow.

Let's cut to the video...

 

Here's the narrated video from the ride where the Vespa and Bambi made contact on Needles Highway.  Well, there is very little about hitting the deer in the video - the camera wasn't on at that time, and the rest of the ride was very nice.

I shot a lot of video that day, with a plan to narrate the video during the editing process.  Took me a while to get into the editing.  No, I wasn't traumatized - we just had other stuff we were doing.  From my perspective, the coolest part of this video is the number of buffalo that were all over on either side of the main road... and some on the road.  You don't want to mix it up with those big animals.

Plenty of fun views of the ride on Needles Highway, as well.  Without further adue, here's the video...

Those three little words...

 

No, not the ones you want to hear.  When I got back from my bicycle ride this morning, Joan was sitting outside with Rufus.  Not unusual; it was a lovely start to the day.  When I rolled into our site, she said, "There's a problem."

I really don't like to hear those words... too many things go through your head: the poop tank backed up and the motorhome is full of shit... Rufus bit a neighbor kid whose Father is a lawyer (with one of those phone numbers that are all the same number)... Steph and Dan called, they quit their jobs, and they (and their three cats) want to move in with us... Joan was gambling on-line and lost our nest egg.  Really, all kinds of bad scenarios run through your mind.

"Do tell," I said.

"The Magic Bullet I use to make smoothies died.  I tried it in a different outlet, so that isn't the problem.  I wiggled the power cord, still dead."

I said, "Well, you've done all you can do.  Let's go into town, I'll buy you breakfast, and you can get another Magic Bullet."  In the grand scheme of "there's a problem," this is WAY down the list. 

The bacon/chicken/honey maple sandwiches were good for breakfast, and Wally World had the updated version of the Magic Bullet.  You pay good money for something and it only lasts 16 years - no, that's not a problem, either.  Wally World wasn't even crazy busy on a Saturday morning.

Back home, with a fruit smoothie in my belly, we saw a head go by the window in our side door.  I stepped outside and asked, "Can I help you?"  The guy was taking a photo of the raised letter ASPECT on the side of our motorhome.  While standing on our patio matt, under our awning.

"Oh, hi - I want to get an RV, and this one is really pretty..."  I visited with him for a bit, including explaining RV site etiquette about not walking into someone's site uninvited.  He has never had an RV before.  "These RVs are not like going to an RV show - each site is like someone's yard, so if you want to ask them questions or look closer at their motorhome, you knock on the door and ask permission first."

I think he got it.  His friend stood by quietly, looking moderately embarrassed.

When I came back inside, Joan was dressed for a scooter ride.  Yep, time for me to gear up, too.  We took the scoots on our usual twisty roads, eventually onto Iron Mountain Road.  The weather weasels were calling for a 0% chance of precipitation today, so... of course, we got into some spitty rain; something I want to avoid without a front fender.  We doubled back, stayed in the clear, and had a lovely ride.

Not a bad way to enjoy a warm Saturday.  No photos - I still have some finishing up to do on the "deer day" video and don't need to add more work to my agenda.  Kidding - I don't have an agenda.

Envy...

 

I am generally not an envious person.  This morning, I felt a bit of that creep in.

We were sitting out under our awning.  Joan made us fruit smoothies (it's how I get my morning fruit) after I got back from a bicycle ride.  Contrary to what some had surmised, I wasn't feeling any aches from the sudden stop yesterday.  Rufus was sitting out with us...

 You might notice that I said "under our awning" and not "out on the patio."  One of my favorite things about Hart Ranch is the double-wide paved pads in the sites.  Except when you are doing your "9 days out," and are in the Meadows.  Where you have a single width gravel site.  The front of our site could use more gravel, so with the rain we've had the past couple weekends, it is a bit of a mud-hole.

While out there this morning, we watched a beautiful Prevost motorcoach pulling out.  No, I was not envious of the their coach... they get to go back to the main part of the resort... with paved pads, lush grass, level sites, and no dust (from the gravel road here).  They are so lucky.  ;-)

Our site here isn't bad - we've certainly stayed in worse and paid more for it...

... it's just that you get used to how nice the resort is.  Before you have to "do your time" here in Purgatory Flats.  Yep, next Wednesday, it will be our turn.  In the meantime, as each RV pulls out, you can tell which is heading for home (all packed up) vs who is heading to one of the nice sites (some, like us, just roll down the windshield cover instead of taking it off).

I did check on the Vespa this morning, while it is in the cargo trailer: no evidence of any leaking brake fluid up front, all the connections look good, the front tire has stayed fully inflated.  The poor thing just looks... odd.  That front tire that looks wide and powerful under the fender, appears a bit less so when it's just hanging out there by itself.

--------

Just got off the phone, speaking with a Progressive agent who called. It was clear she was reading from a script and had no understanding of what a Vespa might be. I recorded my statement, then she asked some questions. One of which was "Did you get a photo of the deer?"

It took great self-restraint to NOT say, "Yeah, we took a couple selfies before Bambi bounded off into the woods." Instead, I said, "I was more concerned with getting myself off a narrow two lane road before I got run down, but my wife said she saw the deer run off."

When asking about the photos I took, she asked, "Did you take pacific photos?"

"Pacific?" I asked.

"Yes, from pacific angles?"

Again, great restraint to keep from saying, "Well, we are 1,500 miles from the ocean..."   I took a breath and asked, "Did you mean photos from specific angles?"

"Yes, from pacific angles."

My wife reminded me that finding good staff is tough these days. I assume they will reimburse me if I have to ride this scoot to the West Coast to get photos? 

 --------

I took Rufus for a walk this evening.  It has been a gray, occasionally spitty rain kinda day, with the occasional sun break.  Like much of the country, we have been experiencing smoke in the air, from the fires in the west.  This is what the sun looked like around 7:00...

 A few minutes later, the sun disappeared behind a heavy overcast.  Rufus and I had a nice visit with a couple from Oklahoma who came by on their golf cart.  I saw them coming towards us, homing in on us as their eyes locked on Ruf.  They have been away from home for almost three weeks (it's that 21 day thing here at Hart Ranch) and left their cat at home with a neighbor boy taking care of it.  It was clear they missed their fur boy.  I asked, "Why don't you bring him with you?"

"Oh, he would not be a good traveler, and sure wouldn't walk on a leash like Rufus."

"It took a while to get him used to the leash, but he is good with the traveling part, too," I told them.  Gave them something to consider on their 9 days out (going back to Oklahoma) before their next 21 days here.

Rufus is a good ambassador for traveling cats.  ;-)

Vespa vs Deer...

 

Yeah, I hit a deer today.  No winner in that confrontation.  The deer ran out, I slammed on the brakes (LOVE the ABS brakes - saved my hide), I zigged, Bambi zagged, I braced for impact when it made a last second decision to throw itself in front of me, plastic parts went flying, there was the first thump at impact, then a thud-thud as the Vespa went over the top of Bambi.  I kept the bike upright and stopped.  I heard Joan holler in my helmet communicator - I replied: "Yes, I'm fine," and got off the bike to see how much damage there is.

The front fender is toast, about 2/3 of it is busted clean off.  Vespas are known for being metal construction, but the fender and most of the glove box area are plastic.  The plastic cover over the front suspension pieces is broken.  The front brakes and suspension appear to be intact.

 My sexy blue Vespa is wounded, but it kept us upright.  We rode a short distance to get where we could get off the road.  There were several Harley riders in that same pull-out.  "Whoa - are you OK?"  I held the wheel in place while one of them pulled off the last piece of fender that was undoubtedly going to come off sooner rather than later.

I strapped the remains of the fender onto the cooler I was carrying...

Not sure why, 'cause it isn't going back on in pieces. 

We had been having a great ride: rode Needles Highway, stopped for a picnic lunch, and were riding south on Needles Highway when Bambi decided to take on the Vespa.  Joan looked around where she saw it run... It ran off?  Pretty sure it was messed up after having the Vespa run over it.  But, she couldn't find it.  She did help me pick up pieces.

Here's what's left of the pieces...
 

An insurance claim has been filed.  I called my Vespa dealer to get parts ordered - as you might expect, they have to come from Italy... so, it looks like I will be riding a Vespa "bobber" for the rest of the summer.  That is the good news: the Vespa seems to be rideable.  Well, I rode it back to the motorhome.  Looked it over some more; didn't see any other damage.  We'll see if the front tire is still holding air tomorrow.

So, from the front, my lovely Vespa is butt ugly - it really needs that big ol' fender out front to flow the sexy lines of the scoot.  But, from where I'm sitting on it, it looks just fine.  The other good news: no damage to me; I'm grateful I was able to keep the scoot upright.  For sure, I am not going to want to be riding in any rain, 'cause without that fender, the scoot will be a muddy mess.  Not, that I'm looking to ride in the rain... but, sometimes you get caught.  Guess I will be "fair weather riding" for a while.

I did shoot a bunch of video before the deer impact - I'll work on that tonight.  Maybe.

Besides the parts, there will be about 4 to 5 hours of labor because the steering head has to come off the bike for the fender to fit around it.  I guess we'll be making a stop at AF1 Racing on the way home (in a couple months).

And, here's the pretty Blonde at our picnic...

She complimented me on "taking this well"... what are you going to do?  Being pissed at Bambi won't help anything, plus I'm thinking it may be seriously worse off than my Vespa.  And, as much as I like my Vespa... it is just stuff.  With time, parts, and labor, it will look like new again.  I am well aware that the situation could have been far more serious.  Later on that ride, we saw a mountain goat (yes, in the road) and a huge herd of buffalo, spread out on both sides of the road... it would have been WAY worse to have hit one of those!

Video?  No, it wasn't on when I hit the deer.  There may be some footage of the mountain goat and the buffalo.  As they say on the news: video at 11:00.  Maybe.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

 

If you said, "Used for a scene change in the old TV series Bonanza," you get 25 bonus points.  It is also the title to a children's book.  My use of that title has nothing to do with Hart Ranch.

To digress: we had a lovely afternoon rain here at Hart Ranch.  We can use the moisture.  I was appreciative that it was a nice steady rain, a couple thunder-boomers, but no severe weather.  It also kept the heat down a bit.

To un-digress, I am talking about the situation on our island back home.  Seems that it has been more of the same stupid behavior, with underage drivers racing around in golf carts at 2:00 am with music blasting and other general inconsiderate behavior, and parents threatening our Security people when they try to stop the kids.  As usual, it divides the community, with people (owners and renters) who come to the Village as their get-away (and feel they should be allowed to do whatever they want) and those who live there and resent the loud and dangerous behavior.  It becomes "let kids be kids" (and it isn't kids - it is the parents who allow the behavior) vs "Someone is going to get hurt."

I side with sanity: a person's idea of "fun and freedom" ends when the behavior infringes on the safety and peace of others.

Being here at Hart Ranch, where Security does enforce the rules, makes me appreciate the "midwest politeness" here vs the "macho attitude"... rules are generally put into place as a response to stupid behavior.  The problem becomes: some people are so stupid that they think the rules don't apply to them.  That's when enforcement becomes necessary... and things often go south from there.  Nobody "wins."

Unfortunately, our Board of Directors doesn't meet in July, and in years past they have tabled any discussion of the "summer behavior" until September, when the problem magically goes away.  This year, it looks like the board is going to be forced to deal with it.  Our new security company is wearing body cams, so it won't be a "he said, yeah but, he said" situation.

Fall and spring are my favorite times there because the island is generally pretty quiet.  The more exposure I've had with stupid people since we re-retired, the more I like my cat, the dolphins, and I miss the whales.  I'm glad Joan and I are of a like-mind on this.

 

Northern Hills...

 

Joan had an appointment for an eye exam this morning, then shopping for new frames; she was also thinking of looking around for clothes.  Nothing I can do to help with any of that, so out on the Vespa for me.

The weasels were predicting a hot and windy day today, but the lovely blue Vespa was up to the task.  I rode out Highway 44 (Rimrock Highway), turned onto Norris Peak Road, to Nemo Road, slowed down for some bridge construction work, through the town of Nemo, then down Vanocker Canyon to Sturgis.  My goal: steak tips at the Loud American Roadhouse... "Table for one, please."  ;-)

Pulling up to the Roadhouse...

 The steak tips were as good as I remembered.  Having never been to the Indian dealer in Sturgis, I made a quick stop there to check it out...

Then, a stop to see my friend Dick at Sturgis Motorsports; Dick and I have been friends for decades... we can go a couple years without seeing each other and pick up right where we left off.  Well, as we have both gotten older (seems I have been doing that faster than Dick), there is more of the "organ recital" that old guys discuss, but it was great getting caught up on each other's families.  Dick won the Grandpa competition, 6 to 0.  Of course, some talk about how the pandemic has affected us.  Really good to see my friend again.

I considered a run through Deadwood, Lead, and Spearfish Canyon, but when I came out of Sturgis Motorsports, the wind was gusting over 30mph and the temp was pushing 90º.  I took the Interstate back to Rapid City.  The Vespa dealt with the head and cross winds with no fuss, but it was a hot breeze.  It was refreshingly cool in the higher elevations on those fun curvy roads; you could feel the temperature getting warmer descending through Vanocker Canyon, approaching Sturgis. Still, a nice ride today.

Here's the video...

Moving Day...

 

That went fast.  Our first 21 days were up today.  In the past, we have been able to get our "9 days out" (which our membership allows us to "buy in") up in the main part of the resort.  They are so full, that we have to do our 9 days in "The Meadows."  That is an overflow area in the resort that is more of what a typical RV park/campground is like: gravel sites that aren't double wide.  Until last year, the sites didn't have a sewer hook-up, so you had to be very conservative with your water use or move the coach sometime during that 9 days to dump (there is a separate dump site here).  It has always had electric, water, and cable TV, so it isn't a hardship being here - even better now that there is a sewer connection.  But, it isn't as level as the sites in the main section, and I really appreciate having a double wide paved pad to be on.  Still, it beats the heck out of having to go somewhere else for 9 days.  Many of the RV memberships here don't offer that option of buying in the 9 days.  The price for buying in is only $25 per day, so it is way less expensive than other campgrounds in the area.

Before having the sewer connections, some members referred to The Meadows as: Purgatory Flats; in a somewhat humorous way.  Or not.  The original design of this area was for rallies, where a large group wanted to all be together, and overflow parking for when the resort is full, but a member still wants to be here (and didn't reserve in advance).  This "9 days thing" was an incentive for early membership purchases.

The site we are in now was vacant this morning when I went for my bike ride, so we started our move.  It takes a while to get everything moved over, with this area being about 1/3 of a mile from the site we were on.  We move the scoots separate so we don't have to strap them down in the trailer for the short trip.  In their place, we put our outdoor living stuff in the trailer.  Then, make trips.

We started our move around 8:00 am, had everything moved to the new site by 9:00, and jacks down, slides out, and all utilities hooked up by 9:40.  Yeah, a short moving day; good, because this is going to be a hot day (and the rest of the week), with highs in the low 90s.

Moved in...

Since we sit in a different direction on this site, we took the time to connect the sun screen to our awning...

"But, what about the most important part of the move: what does Rufus think of the location change?" you ask.  Thanks for asking.  Rufus is a pretty easy-going boy - he wanted to get out right away to make sure we have "good grass."  To my eye, it isn't as manicured as the main part of the resort, but Rufus gave it his chomp of approval.  He will have to learn some new walking routes.  Well, in the morning and early evening, when it is cooler.  After checking out the grass, he took some time in his patio chair...

I know what you're thinking: he is such a handsome boy.  I agree; and a good boy, too.

I expect this 9 days to go by fast.

 

On this day, 68 years ago...

 

No, not from one of those historical signs.  Today is my birthday.  Never thought I'd live this long.  My dear ol' Mother said, I have often related it: getting old isn't for sissies.

"What are your plans for your birthday," you ask.  Well, we had talked about taking the weekend off from riding, since there is SO much going on around the Hills this week; I did get out yesterday on the Vespa - a couple trips down to the entrance to Hart Ranch to photograph some of the Scooter Cannonball folks, and an errand run into Rapid City.  A funny selection of items to get, that would definitely fall into the TMI category, but I'll relate them when in person if anyone asks.

Today, we got to visit with Steph by phone.  It's a family tradition when we aren't together: open cards, visit, and get all mushy.  Joan made me a great breakfast after I got out for a bicycle ride.  Rufus is sitting by me as I write this.  We'll hang close to the motorhome today.

My Mother used to tell of me trying to be born breach; she would say, "You came out telling the world to kiss your ass, and you are still doing just that."  She had a way with words.  ;-)

And there they go...

 

The Scooter Cannonball participants.  Bar Harbor, Maine, to Eureka, California.  Ten days.  Over all kinds of roads, some dirt/gravel.  Approximately 4,500 miles.  The "winner" isn't the one who gets there first.  You get points for passing through all the checkpoints and a bunch of Bonus Point options, some along the route, others where you may have to go out of the way.  Over 100 people were signed up.  By the time they started in Bar Harbor, that number had dropped to 60 to 70.  As they come through this area - literally, right outside Hart Ranch - they are on Day 6.

There is a tracking map and website to follow along...

 These are some tough men and women.  The maximum scooter size is 278cc... which happens to be the displacement of the Vespa GTS (seems to be the favored choice), but there are plenty of smaller scooters.  There is a defined route, with designated overnights along the way.  Most day's runs seem to be taking 8 to 10 hours.  They are making impressive time.

After 3 hours or so of riding, my butt is about done for the day... yes, these folks are doing all these hours and miles - every day - for 10 straight days.  Yes, I am impressed.  No, I have no desire to do this.

Watching the tracking map, we went out to the entrance road to Hart Ranch to see some of them blast by.  We found out the tracking map isn't quite "real time" - we missed the two front runners by a couple minutes.  But, we waited and watched the tracking map...

Yes, we are candy-ass: we went for some shade while we were waiting...

 

The participants don't have that option...

 

While there was a break between scoots going by, we went back to the coach to have a quick breakfast... I missed two of the participants I really wanted to see by about 20 seconds when I returned - I saw them from the road, but not soon enough to get photos.  Then, more coming by...

Some of these folks I "know" from the scooter forums I frequent.  Joan asked me if I wanted to ride along with any of them for part of this leg - I do not want to be in anyone's way or slow anyone down.  These folks are serious, I am a "for the fun of it" kinda rider.

Their stop-over tonight is in Hot Springs, South Dakota; a little over an hour away by direct route.  Their routing was anything but direct.

Looking at the leader-board, there are still 40+ riders participating.  There are still some making the trek, even though they have dropped out of the competition, driving support vehicles.  There is a real comraderie among the participants, helping each other with repairs and spare parts.

Quite the event.