One sleep...

 

Not to be confused with the small town of Ten Sleep in Wyoming.  This is our last full day here in the Black Hills.  We have had a good summer.  As I write this, the bikes are strapped down in the cargo trailer.  Everything is packed where it is supposed to be.

I did get one last ride in this morning - no photos or video, just soaking up every minute of the pleasure of riding.  It was refreshingly cool and sunny.  Only one vehicle tried to kill me today: a dumbass in a Class C motorhome came across the highway from the opposite direction and drove into the turn lane I was using to make a right turn onto Iron Mountain Road... yes, the turn lane on the right side of the road.  No idea what he was thinking, but I had to swerve back out onto the highway, go around him, then make my right turn.  I'm guessing he thought (mistakenly) that it was a pull-out... on the opposite side of the highway.  Looking at his face through the windshield, he looked like he was pissed that I was making a right turn... in that turn lane.  If I hadn't swerved, it would have been a head on... on the bright side, I was slowed down to make my turn... in the turn lane that you're supposed to use.  The rest of the ride was delightfully laid back.

 I did get one last ride in this morning - no photos or video, just soaking up every minute of the pleasure of riding.  It was refreshingly cool and sunny.  Only one vehicle tried to kill me today: a dumbass in a Class C motorhome came across the highway from the opposite direction and drove into the turn lane I was using to make a right turn onto Iron Mountain Road... yes, the turn lane on the right side of the road. No idea what he was thinking, but I had to swerve back out onto the highway, go around him, then make my right turn. I'm guessing he thought (mistakenly) that it was a pull-out... on the opposite side of the highway. Looking at his face through the windshield, he looked like he was pissed that I was making a right turn... in that turn lane... where I was supposed to be. If I hadn't swerved, it would have been a head on; on the bright side, I was slowed down to make my turn... in the turn lane that you're supposed to use. The rest of the ride was delightfully laid back.

I did get one last ride in this morning - no photos or video, just soaking up every minute of the pleasure of riding.  It was refreshingly cool and sunny.  Only one vehicle tried to kill me today: a dumbass in a Class C motorhome came across the highway from the opposite direction and drove into the turn lane I was using to make a right turn onto Iron Mountain Road... yes, the turn lane on the right side of the road.  No idea what he was thinking, but I had to swerve back out onto the highway, go around him, then make my right turn.  I'm guessing he thought (mistakenly) that it was a pull-out... on the opposite side of the highway.  Looking at his face through the windshield, he looked like he was pissed that I was making a right turn... in that turn lane.  If I hadn't swerved, it would have been a head on... on the bright side, I was slowed down to make my turn... in the turn lane that you're supposed to use.  The rest of the ride was delightfully laid back.

I did get one last ride in this morning - no photos or video, just soaking up every minute of the pleasure of riding.  It was refreshingly cool and sunny.  Only one vehicle tried to kill me today: a dumbass in a Class C motorhome came across the highway from the opposite direction and drove into the turn lane I was using to make a right turn onto Iron Mountain Road... yes, the turn lane on the right side of the road.  No idea what he was thinking, but I had to swerve back out onto the highway, go around him, then make my right turn.  I'm guessing he thought (mistakenly) that it was a pull-out... on the opposite side of the highway.  Looking at his face through the windshield, he looked like he was pissed that I was making a right turn... in that turn lane.  If I hadn't swerved, it would have been a head on... on the bright side, I was slowed down to make my turn... in the turn lane that you're supposed to use.  The rest of the ride was delightfully laid back.

I took Rufus out for a walk first thing this morning; he was not happy when I told him he needed to get all the walking in he can, because that is going to change as we get down the road.  He was not happy...

 That is his "I'm ignoring you," position.  The big furry boy likes it here at Hart Ranch.  Besides having to leave behind all this grass, he was a bit miffed that there was no one out and about to make a fuss over him this morning.  He has gotten quite used to people saying, "Oh, look at that cat walking on a leash!" or "What a beautiful cat, can I pet him?"  He is a pretty social boy these days.  He, also, had a good summer: no dog attacks; no attacks from the sky by Mother Nature.  Lots of walks, lush grass, and a few personal stashes of catnip.

I, too, had a good summer.  I got out on my bike 5 to 6 days each week.  The riding has been great, and the highway capability of the CTX means I could ride wherever suited me on any particular day.  Mother Nature was good to me, providing decent weather for riding.  Yeah, plenty of heat, but I have gear for that.

Joan will have to speak for herself, but she got plenty of time for reading and listening to music, and rode with me a couple times a week.

But, today (after my ride) was all about the last of the getting ready to hit the road.  We went out for lunch, topped off the fuel tank in the Equinox, and came back to get the bikes strapped down.  Then loading more stuff in the cargo trailer.  Then, getting my e-bike and other stuff packed into the Equinox...

We were pretty well done by 3:30.  Before we turn in for the evening, we'll put away the patio chairs (in case we want to sit outside).  In the morning, we'll unhook utilities and be ready to roll.

I already miss the riding.