Mount Rushmore and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Main Street, Sturgis, South Dakota

The trek across northern Wyoming is slightly more interesting than the southern traverse via I-80, particularly as State Route 14 winds through the narrow canyons and precipitous cliffs in the Bighorn National Forest.  But upon connecting with I-90, sightseeing options dissipated and speed returned as our raison d’etre.

As we crossed into South Dakota and approached Rushmore from the south, a curious sign caught our attention: “Jewel Cave National Monument, Next Right.”  David was the proud new owner of a National Park Passport Book, and since neither Maraya nor I had ever been to Jewel Cave, driving a few miles out of the way to check this out was a no-brainer.  We didn’t have enough time to take a full tour, but we did pop in to the visitor center to view exhibits and learn a bit about the second largest known cave system in the world.  Only Mammoth in Kentucky can top Jewel for total length.  With Passport Books stamped, we were shortly on our way, but only after doing the squeeze test on the visitor center patio. (photo to follow).

From Jewel Cave, we continued north, passing the Crazy Horse Memorial carving (which has been a work in progress since 1948) and South Dakota’s highest point, Harney Peak, along the way.  At 4:30 PM, we arrived at Mount Rushmore.  This was my third visit to Rushmore, so the sense of wonder and awe is no longer present, but as a Presidential history/sites buff, the uniquely American Rushmore is always worthy of a visit.

4 Guys on a Mountain and Bill

Bikers dominated the Rushmore crowd and points all around for that matter, giving credence and indeed new meaning to the oft seen bumper sticker, “Motorcycles Are Everywhere.”  Never more so was this true than upon entering Sturgis proper. Motorcycles filled side streets, tents filled residential front lawns, and buxom women filled out bikinis at numerous five dollar bike washes.

We were fortunate to find a free parking spot many blocks from Main and we began to walk.  The crowd was not the beer guzzling bunch of rowdies one might think.  To the contrary, Sturgis attendees were polite and courteous, and most were taking in the sights just as we were.  However, their dress was very different from my own, so before leaving the car I pulled on my only black t-shirt and a pair of jeans.  While I may have felt like a fish out of water, I at least tried to look the part.

Eco-Friendly Model

The scene around us was that of a state fair enveloping an entire town.  Food stands and various bike-related vendors blanketed the sidewalks in all directions emanating outward from the center of Sturgis.  I turned the corner on Main and encountered a sight unlike anything I had ever seen. Bikes of every make, model, and size lined the curbs along Main.  Two rows of bikes were parked end to end in the middle, and two lanes of bike-only traffic paraded the narrow thru lanes.

Batman-Friendly Model

For the next two hours we breathed in as much as we could of Sturgis, sampling the live bands at the Loud American Roadhouse, and the Ultimate Cage Fighting in the octagon at the world famous Knuckle Saloon.  We could have stayed all night, but fierce winds and a National Weather Service warning of nearby severe weather chased us back to our car.

Ladies Mixin’ it up and the Knuckle Saloon

Ten miles west of Sturgis, we stopped in Deadwood for photos, gambling and food before David drove a sleepy crew the final hour back into Wyoming and to the base of Devils Tower.