Since yesterday was officially our last day together, we elected Dan ride leader and no surprise to any of us he took us to a Starbucks for breakfast since it wasn’t included with our room last night. The weather looked quite threatening, so we were in the midst of donning the wet weather gear after breakfast when the sky really opened up and we got very wet getting it on and later riding as well but were able to remove it later when we fueled up and the temperature was higher. We shared lunch at Saint Charles and then the others headed off. Seems weird without them!

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Saint Charles USA – 229m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Breakfast at Starbucks with all of us present.

Finally, into Saint Charles and lots of eclectic architecture A small example with our hotel in the distance,

Our departing members getting ready to depart.

And the last pic of the whole group, compliments of a passerby.

1 gone.

2 gone.

And a lovely Art Deco sculpture at our hotel. 

Last nights' accommodation:

Knickerbocker on the Lake, Milwaukee.

A lovely period hotel beautifully maintained and cared for. Staff friendly and helpful. Restaurant on site and the food was delicious. Comes complete with stove and fridge and all the implements to self-cater but that wasn’t our choice. Secure parking for a small fee.

A collection.

We headed off at a comfortable pace and drove on HWY 9 then HWY 23 / 18 so saw lots of lovely countryside, some very specie real estate and even some Amish farmers doing some harvesting then drove right through the guts of Milwaukee to the Theater district to find the statue of ‘The Fonz AKA Arthur Fonzarelli’ from ‘Happy Days’.

This was our last dinner together as we separate tomorrow, and Lyn & Graham and Mal & Danny will be heading home in a day or so and we will be heading east to catch up with Ashley & Gee before our departure. The hotel was a nice spot for our farewell dinner. It will be very different travelling by ourselves again.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Milwaukee USA – 188m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

We headed into the little town of Jefferson for coffee, and they had the main street closed off for an art and craft day so got a few clear shots of some of the architecture.

Yay seats for the bikers to have their coffee.

What was once a boarding school across the bridge is now apartments.

A couple of old school burglar alarms caught my eye. One above a jewelry store. Wonder if they still work.

 We drove by a number of waterways and lakes and cute little houses on the way. A couple of examples below.

Then into Milwaukee and found a parking spot to explore and find the Fonz statue. Some very specie buildings and this is one of them.

And of course, The Fonz.

Last nights' accommodation:

Best Western West Towne Suites. Madison.

A comfortable space again. Hot cooked breakfast and parking included. Walking distance to restaurants. No pic.

We headed off in pursuit of some hills and winding roads instead of just cornfields and did pretty well for ourselves, even found some dairy and potato growing areas on our way as well as some nice sweeping corners compliments of HWY 9 to 73 then 18.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Madison USA – 266m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Four street view pics in Osage. There were some lovely and quirky buildings.

And we crossed the mighty Mississippi River again as we headed for lunch.

And the quirky sights continued. This car was parked beside our diner. No way would it fit in any parking spot at home, apart from the width all the boot would be out in the traffic lane.

And as we headed into Madison we found this sitting on the shoulder of the driver of a Mustang.

And it may be true that I led the group along a 'recreational track' to avoid another closed road as we looked for a lunch spot yesterday.

Last nights' accommodation:

AmericInn by Wyndham Austin.

A nice spot to stop for the night. Comfortable room and comes with hot breakfast and parking included. Some of the group made use of the pool as well. Friendly welcoming hosts. No pic.

We had planned a ride around Sioux Falls to get some shots of some of the awesome work that has been done in the downtown area bringing new life to it but after a late phone call to the Indian Factory the push was to get to Spirit Lake which we managed … just and the boys did the factory tour and the girls sat in comfortable chairs and watched it on the TV screen.

We travelled through sweeping farmland with grassland and cattle, crops of corn and others I couldn’t identify, a number of feed lots and increasing and more prolific tree growth. The farms have been largely well kept and like at home the activity, farm and machinery size has increased to an industrial scale.

Very few photos today unless the pillions can supply me some.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Austin USA – 369m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

A couple from our walk last night.

A view of the river behind our hotel on last night's walk.

Can't a guy make a phone call??

A tribute to the Bert Munro ride at the Indian Factory. No photos were allowed on the tour in the factory, but this was in the public space out front.

And this describes the thinking behind the piece.

And lunch time at Estherville, and yet more bikes amongst old buildings.

The library.

And our lunch spot at City Perk.

Last nights' accommodation:

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sioux Falls.

A lovely comfortable spot to just drop, have a hot shower and head for a walk then dinner, and even better an on-site restaurant which wasn’t here when we booked, yay what a bonus for these weary travelers! Extra bonus for us was a very spacious suite with separate bedroom and sitting room. Felt like we were being spoilt and a little later start in the morning with a couple of hundred less kilometers to travel. Aaahhh. This is a view from behind on the river.

Another big day of riding and awesome sights. Lots of plains and grass and a few cattle but we so miss the hills. Check out the pics below…. not many because we rarely stopped.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Sioux Falls USA – 446m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travels today – 1,023m

An awesome sculpture in Chamberlain in stainless steel, and the old codgers in front to give a bit of perspective only.

And the description of exactly what it is and represents.

And a view of the mighty Missouri River behind the statue. Such a huge body of water.

And an interesting footbridge and sculpture behind our hotel in daylight.

And in darkness.

Last 2 nights' accommodation:

Comfort Inn & Suites Rapid City.

Comfortable spacious suite with everything we need. Breakfast and parking included. A pool on site, there have been many but only one prior to this which anyone used. Must have been the wet ride in. Comfortable public spaces. Also, gym and laundry on site. Bed comfortable and a couch to relax on, that’s a first for the trip. No pic.

Another day of awesome riding and sights. Check out the pics below.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Rapid City USA – 1,023m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travels today – 1,932m on the Needles Highway.

A couple of views of the Mount Rushmore National Monument.

Then on through the Custer State Park and to Custer for lunch at a quirky little cafe. We pulled up opposite Calamity Janes Coffee Shop and in the distance, you can see a sign spelling out the CUSTER name as one young kid commented in passing 'look it's like the Hollywood sign', I think the locals would have been impressed. It was a lovely Main Street, larger than we remember but it hasn't lost its character like we think Deadwood has.

Then onto the Crazy Horse Monument which has progressed since our last visit and the humanitarian aspect has also progressed as well. It was good to see that the Museum was larger than the gift shop and beautifully done though sobering to visit.

And then the celebration of riding the Needles Highway with pigtail bridges, tunnels and chasms with single lane sections. All just wonderful. Had to ride it then turn around and come back as well.

Another day of awesome riding a number of Scenic Byways rather than 4 lane intestates, and awesome scenery and in spite of the last bit of the trip being wet and Rapid City being awash when we got in the day was terrific. The pictures can tell the story again.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Rapid City USA – 1,023m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travels today – 1,761m

The Devils Tower. WOW!

And all the bikes parked up and exploring about to begin.

Departing and a hint of some of the other rockwork we would travel past.

Deadwood seems to have been taken over by Casinos and Saloons of all descriptions. Such a shame, not as we remember.

Parked up at the old Railway Station. The arched entrance to Main Street can be seen in the distance.

As we headed off it literally looked like there was rain spiraling down over the top of conifers and we pulled into an old servo to don the wet gear. Turns out it was pollen from the trees and dust and the sky became really dark. We headed off along another Scenic Byway and outran the rain until almost into Rapid City.

Last nights' accommodation:

La Quinta Inn Suites by Wyndham Gillette.

A Lovely comfortable suite which looks new and / or well maintained. Staff welcoming.  Roomy and well set out. Yet another way to turn the shower tap on, never ceases to amaze me how many ways are possible! Good distance out of town but dining options available nearby. Includes parking and breakfast. A pleasant stay.

Yet again we had a beautiful day of riding through spectacular countryside, this time making our way through high altitude dessert country benefiting from irrigation and winding our way over a massive mountain range through the Bighorn National Forest on Highway 14, one of the original highways established in 1926, a far cry I’m confident from the road and surface we we rode on today!

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Gillette USA – 1,388m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travels today – 2,765m

The first lot of pics is all on Highway 14 initially through a great craggy canyon as we climbed and then as we descended on the other side. All kinds of awesome!

We lunched at a quirky little Café in Sheridan for a little longer break than usual because we could. This is outside in the street. It was an attractive little town.

We fueled up in Buffalo as there were no services for 70 miles from there. It is a pretty little town and was where the Netflix series ‘Longmire’ was filmed, one of our favorites. The writer lived close by according to the servo proprietor. Thanks to Lyn who snapped the following shots from her pillion seat which give a little hint to the sort of architecture, very old American west cute, she even got me in the first one.

Last nights' accommodation:

Green Gables Inn Cody.

A budget option but everyone on the ground floor and bikes outside our doors so we like that. No breakfast included so had a Starbucks breakfast at the local supermarket just over the hill. Also, no restaurants in walking distance so we had a ride to a family diner then back to the motel for bed. Comfortable space. Staff welcoming. Guest laundry available. No pic.

We took a loop route through Yellowstone this morning to see the Old Faithfull Geyser and then headed for the East Gate out of Yellowstone National Park and we had a glorious day of riding over beautiful roads, road surfaces and through magnificent scenery. Mountains, river streams, canyons, raging rivers, lakes both large and small, snow, rugged rocky outcrops of monolithic size and assorted wildlife. Not huge kilometers but low speed limits and winding and at times steep roads so not a fast trip but magnificent from start to finish. Some pics which are a poor reflection of an awesome day.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Cody USA – 1,523m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travels today – 2,670m

One of the bears spotted.

Half of the crowd waiting for the Geyser to blow.

A half-hearted start.

Then 4.5minutes of WOW.

The Yellowstone General Store at Fishing Bridge …. Where you haven’t been allowed to fish from the bridge since the 70’s.

A good-looking sort waiting for the group to reassemble and make a mile.

An awesome vista opening up as we descended, and the geography just got even more rocky and quirky, and the Shoshone River galloped all the way down to the Buffalo Bill Dam at Cody. We got to the dam just in time to hitch a complimentary ride to the Visitor Centre and check out a video of the construction from 1905 - 1910 complete with hydroelectric plant. A remarkable achievement, at the time it was built it was the tallest dam in the world. Later the plant was renewed, and the wall raised between 1985 to 1993.

The wall (it is a high and narrow dam). You can see where it has been extended in recent years.

And one of the gates is open with the spring melt so was roaring.

Looking from the carpark back to the road tunnel initially built to facilitate the building of the dam at the left and the visitor center on the right.

Last 2 nights' accommodation:

Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner / Yellowstone Park area.

A budget option for a significant price. Rooms have been refurbished and the bed was comfortable, but maintenance could use some work. Staff helpful. Included a snack for breakfast and parking. Guest laundry which was handy. Onsite restaurant which did a nice breakfast and grab and go lunch. Walking distance to a few meal options.

After such a huge day yesterday (as in travel time, not kilometers) we decided to have a quiet day today and did some washing and have enjoyed a chance to draw breath for a bit so only a few photos.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Gardiner USA – 952.2m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

A hint of sunset last night as we headed back from dinner.

Some of the resident elk and we could see why all the gardens and trees in town are fenced.

Yellowstone Post Office.

Parking up to climb and have a look at the Mammoth Springs which look much larger than the last time we were here.

The Liberty Cap an extinct travertine work of the Sulphur springs and looking down into Yellowstone.

One of the many glacial valleys carved into the landscape.

Slide Lake.

Yellowstone Gate no longer used except by photographers (I think, many of whom park in the middle of the road, one could grow old waiting for it to be clear, so I gave up).