Perfect day for a Black Hills Tour
Deadwood was hopping with tourists, Saw one mask on an employee, the COVID Carriers were all breathing on one another and there were lots of them trying to double their welfare checks. Once clear of Deadwood it was a straight shot South on US 385 to Hill City.
Just past Hill City I turned off onto the upper section of the Needles Highway,
I like this section of road as it doesn't get all of the traffic that the official "Needles Highway receives and it is FREE! No Custer State Park Pass required.
At Sylvan Lake I cut South to Custer on SD 89 avoiding the traffic and the Fee associated with the Needles.
After Custer the US 16 heads West to Newcastle WY.
There is quite a dramatic change in geography as soon as you clear the Jewell Cave National Monument, the hills are gone and the High Plains begin.
Entering Wyoming
https://photos.smugmug.com/06112020-RID ... 804-XL.jpg
A welcome change
A brief stop in Newcastle for sustenance - not Food Porn Worthy burger and a Root Beer.
Heading North out of Newcastle on US 85
Every time I pass this "Rock" I wonder "Why did this one not erode" it looks like it should just wash away in the next rainstorm but it hasn't changed much in the 25 years I've been going past it.
At this point, I passed a Harley Road Glide with a guy wearing some kind of a Patch. I was following him and we came upon a State Truck blocking for the Road Line Paint crew. After a mile or two at 15 mph, the Harley passed the truck and paint machine, I passed all three. He gave chase, I was only running 5-10 over and he would haul ass on the straight stretches to catch up but disappear as soon as there was any kind of a bend. He followed me into Spearfish Canyon where I passed a few slow-moving cars and never saw him again.
A great day to be out and about.
One more 200-mile day before the 42,000-mile service (Oil/Filter/Air Filter and a once over before Red Lodge)
