Wild Wild West Adventure episode 3

Mickelson Trail! 109 miles through the Black Hills. Day 1 on the trail

Alice and I set off to ride the first half of this amazing trail.  Many revelations were not long in setting in. Basically there are 2 directions -- either up or down. Climbing at an average of 7 mph up or 17 mph down. Who knew a 3% grade could make that much difference!!  Unbelievable. The up grade goes on for miles!  Out of Deadwood, it is a climb for 15 miles right out of the starting gate. The views from the top of that hill are quite spectacular. 

Then, the down grade....no pedaling necessary. Oh, that was the best!! At times hit 20 mph without even trying!   The RV campers chose to ride to a couple of some of the highlights of the trail. The timing could not have been better if we tried to arrange our meeting on the trail -- in the middle of nowhere. Just out of the most southern tunnel, there was the gang!  So fun to meet up with them!  All went well for all until Ronna, unfortunately, picked up something that punctured her tire ... Bummer.  Off to Eric's upon return to the twin cities. 

At mile 49 brought Alice & I into Hill City just in time to meet up with the biking RV campers. Of course we found one of the best "watering holes" for sustainance and some well deserved adult beverage. Oh my, did that taste good!  

Officially -- Alice and I rode 54 miles according to the Garmin -- average 9.9 mph, max 20.2 mph, 3809' ascent and 3180 descent. Just a minor warm up for some of our Minnetonka club riders.... :D

Tomorrow we climb Harney Peak. You must read about this! 

Wild Wild West Adventure. Episode 2

Woke up to significantly more manageable temps. We did not have to have the a/c on full blast!  :D The hotel treated us to a hotel breakfast, oh yum, then off we when to explore Badlands national park in the morning sun.  The striads of buff and pink and green colors just popped brilliantly. It was quite striking. 

Off to trips down memory lane for Brenda. She had the opportunity to work in the hills in her teen years....the revelation hit her... 39 and 41 years ago! She was one of the housekeeping team at Powder House Lodge. AND it is still running strong! What are those odds!?!?! You must ask her about her mangling sheets skills. We had a nice lunch and a lively chat with th current owner.  Upon returning home, she will be digging through her pics from the 70's ....

The hills are just beautiful! The granite spires, green forests, and brilliant blues skies. Checked into our home for the next 7 nights at the Rafter J Bar Ranch. This place is huge. Need to drive or ride our bikes to go from our cabin to the real campers.  They scored the best sites on the ranch, very nice!  Also, by evening, it was about a 60 degree swing from our arrival in the Badlands. We could even have and need the heat from a fire as the sun set.  Ahhhhh this is the life!

Tomorrow we ride!!  

Wild Wild West adventure. Episode 1

Dark o'clock, the excitement mounts, the moment is here! Time for the final packing of coolers, bikes, and just about anything we might need and off to the Black Hills of South Dakota!! The inventory of stuff is absolutely everything you need for camping....without the tent...  Our first night will be in the Badlands national park, the next 7 at Rafter J Bar Ranch...in a cabin. 

Travels by our entourage across the state of SD went without incident. YEAH! Sadly, the person who envisioned this trip and have been planning it for a couple of years, was not able to be a part of the adventure. Our most sincere condolences to Carol and her family for the loss of their father.  As a result, this Mickelson Trail ride will happen again sometime in the future .... So all you readers, suit up!

Arriving in the badlands was like jumping into an oven.  They say it is a dry heat... Ya right, it's still hot...

Never experienced ice melting that fast...in a cooler...in the covered bed of the truck... Could have cooked dinner on the pavement...

Then the wind picked up.. At about 1:30 a.m.  Those of us in the hotel room had no idea what was going on. Not so for our pals in their RVs. It was a rocking time had by them that night!! Without the fun...

Here is some look sees of the badlands. 

Bighorn sheep

The traveling troupe

Prairie dogs, everywhere, teeming acres of prairie dogs...

Tatonka

Pronghorn antelope 

Tomorrow, more adventure... Stay tuned

Aloha Hawaii 2016 epilogue

So much fun in the sun and surf. Most assuredly, none of the hanai want to leave, at the same time, we all are ready to go home. Kauai has treated us with its' lush splender and challenges with a rather high surf.  Hard to imagine swells of over 50'. One man, on the north side of the island, yesterday was sitting a bit too close when a 40' wave hit him, they have yet to find him. Given that, the hanai today were more than happy to stay on the leeward side (south) of the island for the second time sailing with captain Andy. Sad that we were not able to sail along the Na' pale coast, keeping our breakfast and lunch down, won out. A stone unturned for next time to this garden island. 

The las two days consisted of cooking our meals at our cottage, shopping, partying, pool time, down time, relaxing, sailing, snorkeling, having shaved ice treats, imbibing in local grown foods, drinks, and just a lot of darn good fun! 

Here are some visual captures of our last days in paradise :

Our 4 bedroom cottage

North Pacific humpback whales. One nose, one tail...

Aloha dear friends.  Thank you, mahalo, for traveling with us. 

More adventures later this year....

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 9

Theme today -- biking and exploring. A contingent of 6 rousted out of our snug little beds at 4 a.m. In excited anticipation to ride down from nearly the top of Wai'ale'ale. It was a ton of fun! The bikes have  had to of been from the 50's. Something your grandmother would have ridden. But very comfortable. They launched us at about 3000' elevation and off we coasted down to sea level. Wheeee! Good thing for disc brakes ... Mine were smoking  :D

After regrouping, the non bikers drove back up to Wai'ale'ale and beyond to the very end of the road on the Na Pale coast. Amazing views, had it not been socked in the clouds/mist. Interesting .. Sunshine on our shoulders and looking down into the clouds... 

Enjoy some of the views...

Private island of Niihua in the distance. Only native Hawaiians living traditional lifestyle -- no electricity, no running water, no alcohol, no tobacco, and, horror or horrors, no cells phones!  How to they ever survive!!?!?!

Waimea canyon. Breathtaking. 

These crowing creatures are virtually everywhere.

Another day in paradise...

News flash! For those of you avid readers, here is an update on Kelley. She is miraculously worked dilengently on her rehab to be released to fly Saturday !!! That is day after tomorrow and 1 week 3 days post hip replacement!! Way to go Kelley !  The other pieces of the puzzle are almost nearly in place - 2 of our hanai members must fly with her -- first class. That is the only way she could be on the plane. Of course that will apply to all 3. Oh bummer, first class! The tour company is footing the cost. Very very good of them to do so. Keep your fingers crossed and well wishes that Kelley is successfully transferred from the Maui hospital to a rehab center in the twin cities. 

Absolutely nothing scheduled, except cooking our own meals tomorrow, but one never knows what may happen.... Stay tuned!,

Aloha!

Aloha Hawaii 2016 part 8

Theme for today, snorkeling and sailing.  Our first day in many that we did not have to be anywhere at dawn's crack.  The hanai could sleep well into the sun rise and not before. A much welcomed rest. The seaside cottage we are staying in is really quite nice! Our travelista (rhymes with fashionista) who found this place is amazing and most appreciated. 

Our exploration of Kauai has been primarily from Lihue and west... south side of the island. There are white sand and some black sand beaches everywhere. Not too far away is the salt pond beach. Fun snorkeling! The camera did not travel with us, so no photos of this adventure. Just imagine some of the most fascinating snorkeling, and you will be close. 

Sunset dinner cruise on a catamaran.  All sailing was happening on the south side of the island due to high serf. That is if you consider 30' high.... Might be a bit tough to keep your peas and potatoes on your plate...:D   The crew did an excellent job feeding and beveraging us. What is not to like!?!  Enjoy some of today's visuals. 

The whole hanai minus our sweet Kelley. Who is still in Maui. Making excellent progress. 

Tomorrow biking, hiking, and socializing. Keep reading!