CFO, Day 2. 9-11-08, Thurs.

We left the KOA and took Hwy 90 all the way to Rapid City. The weather was kind of gray and gloomy. Most of the day looked like this.

From Rapid City we continued to Hill City and stopped for lunch at Subway. After lunch we went to Custer and checked into the Bavarian Inn. We hung around outside and watched the others arrive. Someone brought a huge Yamaha banner and hung it from the stairs. Most everyone spent the rest of the day socializing.

CFO-2008 Day 1. 9-10-08, Wed.

This is day one of my trip to the CFO-2008 (Central FJR Owners rally 2008) in Custer, South Dakota. It's my second trip to SD for the year, and my second CFO. I left home about 11:45 and met John about an hour later at a small parking lot at the intersection of Hwy 19 and CR 86 in Rice County, MN. We took 19 west to Marshall, MN. From Marshall, we took Hwy 23 down to Pipestone, MN, then 30/34 thru Madison, SD to Mitchell, SD. We stopped for the night at the Mitchell KOA and rented a camper cabin.

After we checked in to the KOA, we took off for downtown Mitchell to find food. We ended up at Chef Louie's Steak House. It was a very nice place with great food. We both had the full rack of bbq spare rib dinner, complete with potato, salad, and bread. The bill came to less than $15.00 each.

8-13-08 Day 8.... Back Home from Sturgis.

Wednesday, the 13th. This picture says it all.

A pretty uneventful day. Grand Forks to home by way of Climax, MN. We had to stop to get a picture of the sign.

Total miles = 2606

8-12-08 Day 7

Tuesday, the 12th. John and I packed the bikes, had breakfast at Hardee's and started out. We stopped 2 miles later at the air museum at the north end of the Minot airport. The museum had lots of old airplanes and displays. They are working on putting together a WWII vintage P-40 Warhawk.

There was a 9 cylinder radial engine on the floor in the back room, right next to a JATO unit (jet assisted take off).

Outside of the museum were a few planes.

In another area of the museum they had a dozen or so beautiful 30's to 60's vintage small planes. All in flying condition.
After the museum, we continued north and east. We headed for the International Peace Garden just north of Dunseith, ND. It lays on the border of the U.S. and Canada and covers over 2300 acres. It was interesting, but I've lived in MN and WI all my life so I've seen lots of trees and lakes before. Also, my maps showed it as being in ND, but we had to go past a U.S. Customs building to get into the garden. Not a problem, but I wasn't expecting to have to stop back at the U.S. Customs building and have to prove my citizenship status to get back in to the USA. We never went past the Canadian Customs building that was maybe 100 feet down the road. Call me dumb, but a sign telling the U.S. citizens that are visiting the Peace Garden, that they're actually leaving the U.S., and should have a passport, even though they never passed the Canadian Customs building, would be nice.

The garden has a display of steel from the World Trade Centers in NY.

Also on the grounds was a North American Game Warden Museum. It was full of interesting animal mounts taken from poachers. Each display also had the story of how the animal was confiscated.
We made it as far as Grand Forks, ND.

8-11-08 Day 6

Monday, the 11th. After things dried out in the morning, we headed north. We stopped in Regent, ND for a break and ice cream. Regent is the start of the Enchanted Highway. It runs north from Regent, up to Gladstone, near I-94. Along that stretch of highway there are huge metal sculptures every few miles.

The legs of the Pheasants are tall enough to stand under and still have 2-3 feet of headroom to the body.
We drove across the earthen dam on Audubon Lake and continued north on hwy 83 to Minot. We spent the night at the Travel Lodge Motel in Minot.

8-10-08 Day 5

Sunday, the 10th. We didn't do too much that day. Garth packed up and left for home. The campground really had emptied out.

We had a nice heavy rain shower in the afternoon. I got to take a 2-3 hour nap in the tent. The rain made the trails in the campground kind of muddy.

The rain let up around dinner time, so John and I went to the American West Restaurant in Belle Fourche and I had the beef tips, MMMM! I've said it before, their Rancher Plate Beef Tips are worth the 675 mile ride from WI to Belle Fourche.

8-9-08 Day 4

Saturday, the 9th. Lyle, Carl, Larrie and Julie packed up and left in the morning. It's just me, John and Garth left. We met up with Lee and Gabi and their friends Ruben and Christy at the DQ in Hill City. We went on a group ride through the hills. On the Needles Hwy, we had to stop to let a small herd of Bison cross the road. The Bison were along the shoulder licking the gravel.

We continued the ride and stopped in Keystone just as it started to rain. We endend up at a Mexican restaurant called Arriba. By the time we were done with dinner, the rain had stopped, so we headed for Box Elder. In box Elder, I broke off from the group and went back to Wyatt's Hideaway. John and Garth stayed in Box Elder for a few hours, then came back to camp.

8-8-08 Day 3

Friday, the 8th. John and I took a long 300 mile drive that took us down to Edgemont SD. We stopped and checked out the museum in town. They had a pair of old 105mm guns out front.

We also rode the old section of hwy 18 between Edgemont and Minnekahta Junction. We stopped in Custer and I made reservations for September at the hotel that will host the CFO again. From Custer it was on through Hill City and past Sheridan Lake. We made it to Lee and Gabi's house in Box Elder for a BBQ. We were joined by Lyle, Carl and Garth. We carved the date into the top of their picnic table.

John, carving the table.

The view from Lee and Gabi's back deck. That's Bear Butte in the distance. 27 miles away.

We made it back to to camp after sun down.

8-7-08 Day 2

Thursday the 7th. "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just isn't the same!"

We all had breakfast at the VFW, then everyone did a little collectable memorabilia shopping.  Everyone went for a short walk up and down Lazelle Street. I was shopping with John. After our brief shopping trip, we walked back to the bikes and found that ALL the others had left without us....
We went back to camp and hung around for a while, thinking that the others would come back and we'd go for a ride. No one came back...

So John and I decided to go on a ride through the Black Hills. We stopped at the Lake Pactola Reservoir. The lake has come up a lot this year, compared to where it was last year.

Ever feel Shunned???

8-6-08 Day 1 of the Sturgis Trip.

Wednesday, 08-06-08, All packed up and ready to go. On the road by 0645. Starting milage 15813.

675 miles later, I made it all the way to Wyatt's Hideaway Campground. Set my tent next to John. For some reason, everyone else had set up on the other side of the trail through the campground.

John got there on Monday ahead of me. Lyle, Larrie, Julie, Carl, and Garth got there on Thursday the 31st. Many months ago there was a plan in place, and agreed to by most of us, that we would attend the rally later in the week and stay after the crowds left. It wasn't many weeks before the rally this year, that I learned that most everyone had changed their plans, and would actually be at the rally, not on the usual Friday before the start, but even an extra day earlier. It was too late for me to change my vacation dates at work and was stuck showing up 6 days after most everyone got there.

August 3, 2008 Prep Day.

Getting ready for my Sturgis vacation. Today I'm packing a few things. I've waxed the FJR, changed engine oil and oil in the final drive. I've added the tail bag and the tank bag, and emptied the side bags. I drove it down to the gas station and filled it up. All that's left to do is pack my clothes and the rear seat bag with camping gear.

I'll leave on Wednesday 08/06/08 around 0600.

July 2008 John gets a New Bike

I'm starting to get the FJR ready for this summers motorcycle trips. I plan to leave for Sturgis in just two and a half weeks. This will be my 10th trip there. I plan to head out on August 6 and be back in time for work on the 18th.
I also plan to attend the Yamaha FJR rally, known as CFO, which is short for central FJR owners meeting. This years CFO will again be in Custer, SD. It will be on September 11-14. I still have to put in my vacation request for that trip. I'll be going with my friend John. Last year John and I went to Custer for the CFO and had agreat time riding in the Black Hills. It's so quiet there after the crowds from the Sturgis rally clear out.
On July 19th, 2008 I went with John up to Larson's Cycle in Cambridge, MN. John bought a brand new, black, 2008, FJR1300A.

First post of 2008

On 5-16-08 I purchased a new, lime green, 2008 Kawasaki EX-250 Ninja at the Hitching Post in Hopkins, MN. On the same day, I had a new Pilot Road rear tire mounted on the FJR at Full Power Cycle, also in Hopkins. The FJR now has 15035 miles on it. Both the front and rear tire were replced last year in July. It was just before I left for the WFO in Park City UT. The tires now have about 8500 miles on them. I can probably wait and replace the front when I replace the rear again. Three weeks ago I had a new Elite-3 mounted on the front of the Goldwing. I need to change oil in all 3 bikes next weekend. I also need to get the Goldwing ready to sell. I've been thinking of selling the Goldwing this year. Nancy can't ride like she used to, she just can't take the heat anymore. The days of 2-up, long distance trips are over. I'd prefer to take the FJR if I'm the only one riding.

CFO in Custer SD

Day 1. I headed out the door at 0730 on Wednesday 9-19-07. I met up with John at 0830 at the Big Steer Truck Stop on I-35 in Rice County. On other trips to SD, I've taken I-90 all the way to the Black Hills. This time we chose a different route, SD-44. We went down I-35 to hwy-14 and stopped at the Happy Chef for breakfast. We continued west on 14 to 169. Then 169 to 60. We stopped in Windom for gas.  The next gas stop was Parker SD. We stopped at the Missouri River crossing and took a few pictures,

then it was on to Winner, where we stopped for the night. We covered 450 miles and got to see a few new places.
Day 2. Thursday 9-20, John and I left Winner and continuted west on SD-44. We stopped for gas and a pop at the Cowboy Corner in Interrior.

From there we went to Hill City and had lunch at Subway. We then went to check into our hotel, the Bavarian Inn. We were a little earlier than most of the other CFO'ers, so we sat outside and watched people arrive.
Day 3. Friday 9-21, John and I took Stan and Mike on a 300 mile guided tour of some of the best roads around. We stated by driving through Custer State Park on hwy-16, Then went north on Iron Mountian Road (16A). On 16A we came upon a heard of Donkeys.

Through Keystone, and the east on Old Hill City Road. North on 385 to Lake Pactola.

East on 44, north on 173 to Nemo Road. Nemo Road to Vanocker Canyon and into Sturgis. We stopped on Main street to by T-shirts. Then lunch at the Sturgis Burger King. From Sturgis it was onto Whitewood then 34/24 to Hullet Wy. We gassed in Hullet and kept going to Devils Tower National Monument.

The next stop was the fire tower at Warren Peak, elev 6656' , John, Stan and Mike climbed the tower and talked with the Ranger. I, being terrified of heights, sat on the bike trying to avoid looking up.

After the tower, we headed south on 585, to 85, to 16, to Custer. A 9 hour tour!


Day 4. Saturday 9-22, John and I took a short ride up Needles hwy

and spent the rest of the day chasing the 1880 train along Old Hill City Road.

Then it was off to a prime rib dinner at the hotel. Pack up the bikes and get ready to head out by 0800 Sunday morning.
I had a whole lot of fun and can't wait to go back again next year. Even John, a dedicated H-D rider wants to come along next year too. It just proves, it's all about the ride, not the bike. 5 days, 1780 miles.....

A few days to go until CFO

Tonight, I learned that John will be able to ride with me to CFO. John is one of the guys that I usually go to Sturgis with. This will be my 3rd trip to South Dakota with John this year, and my 13th trip since 1999. I think the plan will be to meet up south of the cities and head west.
Tomorrow, I have to change oil in the FJR and cut the grass. I should have no problem packing stuff for this trip. It's only 5 days and all motels so I wont need to pack camping gear.

Say Yes to CFO

I have taken the time off from work. I've made reservations at the motel in Custer. I've sent off a check for the dinner, and ordered my t-shirt. I'm all done. On Wed the 19th, I'm off to CFO and riding in the Black Hills again.

C.F.O. 9-20 to 23 Custer, SD ??

Well, I just can't seem to get enough of the Black Hills. I have to check and see if I can get the time off from work, but I'm thinking of attending the CFO (Central FJR Owners) meeting in Custer, SD. I would leave home Wednesday, Sept. 19th, and spend the night somewhere in SD. Get up Thursday morning, drive to Custer, check in, and go riding in the hills!! I'd be home for work on Monday!! I would think that the weather would be a little cooler than the 90-100 degree days of last week.

Day 16. Going Home!

I started the day with the intention of going on the Thunder Run put on by the Dakota Thunder M.C. out of Ellsworth AFB. I got up early packed all my gear and had the bike loaded by 0700. John also had his stuff packed. We went into Belle Fourche and had breakfast at Hardees and gassed up the bikes. We were going to stop at Lee and Gabi's and drop off some gear, then head for the AFB to go on the ride. We were going to meet most of the others on the base too.
As I was east bound on I-90 between Sturgis and Box Elder, I decided that I was going home. I had a nice day, cooler temps, clear skies, light winds... Time to make tracks and head home! 16 days on the road was enough. I-90 to 60-169-19-86-47-61-10-35 home. 665.0 miles for the day, 4932.1 total miles for the trip. I was home in 11 hours. I love the FJR!!!
My only regret on the whole trip, was not stopping to say good bye to Lee and Gabi. They're fantastic hosts and really wonderful people!!!

Day 11 - Day 15 Sturgis, SD

I made the short run from Douglas, WY to Box Elder, SD, picked up my camping gear from Lee and Gabi and had set up camp at Wyatt's by early evening. John was there when I got there. Lyle and crew showed up that evening, Garth too. Paul will show up Friday. All together there are 11 people in the group.
There are so many really nice roads in the Black Hills. It's too bad that it's so hard to ride them during the Rally. There are too many people that shouldn't be riding, too many bikes on the roads, too much drinking & driving... I think things might be better the week after the Rally. The t-shirts would still be available, traffic would be lighter, prices would return to normal, but most of the vendors would be gone.
Over the next 5 days I put on a lot of miles in the hills. I got to drive hwy 16A from Custer S.P. to Keystone, one of my favorite rides. I got to see Devils Tower, Hill City, Rochford, Nemo Rd, Spearfish Canyon, Vanocker Canyon... I got to have the Rancher Plate at the American West Restaurant in Belle Fourche....mmmmmmm fried beef tips, twice baked potato, salad, bread....mmmmm well worth the 665 mile drive from Prescott.

Day 10. Provo, UT to Douglas, WY

Today I did a lot of miles, 510. I just tried to put on as many miles as I could. I think I could have make it to Lusk, WY or maybe even Newcastle, but I wasn't sure I would find a room. The motels have started to rise the rates for the Sturgis rally. Last week, when I checked on a room here the rate was $20.00 less. There was a lot of Sturgis bound traffic on the highway today. I'll be in Belle Fourche by Thursday afternoon. I'll be staying at Wyatt's Hideaway. http://www.wyattshideaway.com I won't have internet access for a while, so I might not be able to update the blog untill I get home.