Since this campout followed a just ending camp event at Ward Mountain in Ely, NV many IBMCers just rode on directly to Wind Cave in particular Don Western and Bob aka “Chester from Gunsmoke” Bencsko from Nevada. Bob rode in with a previous foot injury compounded by stepping on a pine cone in this camp. More injury. Jim Williams, California arrived a couple days early as well to tour Rapid City and Sturgis. There is so much to see and do: Mt. Rushmore, curvy roads with tunnels, crazy people trying to pull huge RVs through a narrow single lane tunnel. Plenty of entertainment also at Sturgis Rally, it was their last weekend. Many visited Hill City which has become a mini-Sturgis with the main street only open to motorcycles which lined both sides and down the center as well.
We were trying out a different loop from last year. Some though camped at the old Loop like Terry and Kariann Pilling of North Dakota. We were glad to see them too as he showed off his biker touring atlas. After his old battery died in camp, Jim “I like all that I am” Stewart, Colorado, knowing it was on its last legs popped in the extra battery he was carrying. John and Brenda Dixon, recently recovered from illness and surgeries from Arkansas with Jim Miller, Ohio were under a canopy shade with cool beverages and camp rocking chairs. Later they were joined by Michelle Goldsmith retired Director of IBMC, Utah. Director Ray and Judy Koerzendorfer, California were at the apex of the loop. Kathy Regnier, Wisconsin and Desse Johnston, Iowa with all their gourmet camping accoutrements joined by Chuck Rabideaux, Minnesota. Alan Peterson also of Minnesota brought his custom-made pop-up camper trailer. Mike van Horn, New Mexico arrived with me, host Carla Sartwell, Arizona after delays from fog in Colorado. Fog?? About 30 miles of less than ¼ mile visibility.
On Friday night Don and Bob led Mike Vanhorn and me, Carla to the Alpine Inn at Hill City, SD for a steak dinner with luscious dessert. Bet they can still taste it even now. Kathy, Desse and Chuck rode to Custer Park seeing herds of bison. They also splashed their toes at Cascade Falls southwest of Hot Springs. Michelle took a ride through the Badlands to view the erosion and colors that resembled Arizona’s painted desert. Dixons and Mike Miller toured the historical Hot Springs Museum. Jim Poitra visited us from Chadron, Nebraska, riding up on his Honda with folding chair strapped on.
Since many arrived early or fearing bad weather, several saddled up and left on Saturday morning. This plan didn’t work too well for some. By Sunday, Don and Bob encountered strong thunderstorms. They decided to ride like the dickens the last 800 iron butt miles to get home on Sunday. Others left Sunday bound for more distant sightseeing. A few even stayed beyond Sunday basking in the breezy pines. Hope to see you all next year. Happy Camping!
Submitted by Carla Sartwell
