Since we wanted to get an early start, we decided to leave the alarm on and get up at our usual work time, 4:00 AM. We were both excited about our first trip to Sturgis in three years, so it wasn't a problem to roll out of bed. A check of the weather channel showed rain moving into Wisconsin, but we believed we could beat most of it with our early departure.

By 5:30 the bikes were loaded and we were ready to go. During our preparations it had started to rain a bit, but remembering the radar image we'd seen on the weather channel, we took off anyway. We planned on riding 100 miles or so and then stopping for breakfast. This brought us to the LaCrosse area. We'd seen a few vehicles pulling bikes on trailers pass us and one of them was at the same Perkins we were stopping at. So much for "I need to make better time so I'm trailering my bike," huh?

We laughed as we sat down, spotting the couple from the truck with the bike in the back. He had on shorts and flip flops, she had on shorts and a sweatshirt, acting like she was freezing. I guess that A/C is rough on you on a long trip.

After a filling and enjoyable breakfast, we gassed up, I put on rainpants, and we headed out again. We ended up riding through about 200 miles of drizzle. It wasn't unpleasant, though, and I only got a bit damp around the edges.

Lunch time came and we stopped at yet another Perkins, this time in Minnesota, then pressed onward. We'd started seeing more and more bikes on the road--and more and more trailers with bikes. CrowDog and I started giving these people a "thumbs down" when they'd pass. This would usually elicit an angry look from them, and sometimes a "middle finger wave." It was fun! Even with the wet weather, the trip was great. It makes for better stories when you say "that rainshower was something--it really stung on my face" rather than "that rainshower was something--the windshield wipers could barely keep it off the windshield!" Anyway, back to the "thumbs down" we were giving trailer queens. At one point, a pickup passed us pulling an enclosed trailer with a Harley logo on it. CrowDog gave them the thumbs down, then I did, and the passenger gave me a really nasty look. They pulled in in front of me and the bike that had been behind them passed me. I gave the couple riding the loaded-up Sportster a "thumbs up" and smiled. They laughed, then rode up even with the truck/trailer combination that was now ahead of me...and then they looked over at the driver and gave him a "thumbs down!" It was hilarious. I can imagine the conversation that was going on in the pickup at that point.

After lunch the weather finally cleared up and the sun came out. We stopped at a rest area so I could take off my rainpants and get a bit more comfortable, then we hit the road again. Before we knew it, we were crossing into South Dakota. I was looking for I29 north and saw some construction, which confused me. We needed gas anyway, so pulled off. I checked the map and saw that the exit I needed was just a couple miles down the road. I'd never ridden I29 north toward Brookings, South Dakota before. It's a nice, flat, boring highway and was under construction for a stretch.

We finally reached the proper exit and headed back east. Luckily Penny and Skiv had put out a sign at the road to their house. It was around 3:00 PM and we were the first to arrive.

After the formal howdy-dos and hugs we settled in and received the Grand Tour (and met the newestnewest member of the family!). Just about then, we heard motorcycles. Sam and Sparky had arrived! Howdy-dos and hugs were exchanged and we settled in to chat and relax. Penny and Skiv had made a big batch of delicious chili and fresh home-made cornbread for supper and it really hit the spot.