Colorado 2020

Spearfish 1

We had a lot of Harley related neighbors in our camp near Spearfish so we decided to take a drive through Sturgis to see the bikes. There were an estimated 250,000 bikes in town! The last time we were in Sturgis, two years ago, it looked like a ghost town. Now I know what they mean when they say the economy revolves around this one event. Every store was open and doing business, empty lots had large tents for bike-related items. I actually bought a Sturgis shirt (from a vendor from Michigan).
Bikes, bikes and more bikes, everywhere you could park one!
We saw little bikes . . .
BIG bikes (502 Chevy with NOS) . . . and everything in between!
Little dogs were welcome . . .
BIG, cool dogs were welcome too . . . .
These police officers were on a walking beat. They were from Ohio and North Dakota. The local force brings in a lot of officers for this event. They both indicated that there was very little trouble for a group this size, at least until the bars close.
This is the Sturgis police chaplin. He alternates between a uniform and this shirt. Today we caught him with his 90 pound cross, which he carries up and down the street. He told me that he has been doing this for more than twenty years!
Harleys, Indians, Hondas, BMWs, just about every configuration imaginable were here. There were several trikes with massive V-8 engines and, yes we did see some (regrettably) topless ladies in the crowd.
Every camping spot within miles was occupied. There were even tents set up on local lawns and yards.
Harley-Davidson sponsored this photo memorial to all the soldiers that have fallen since September 11, 2001. Unfortunately, there are more photos here that you would imagine.
After spending the afternoon in Sturgis, we drove through Spearfish canyon, to identify the trailheads that we had interest in. There was plenty of water in the creek and large rainbow trout were very visible.
This was right off the embankment where we parked to try to hike a very narrow, slot-type canyon. We were heading for Eleventh Hour Canyon, named because only one hour of sunlight a day hits the bottom of the canyon.
This is our first look at this short hike.
This first boulder field convinced Cathy to wait here for me. These rocks were bigger than her!
It got progressively steeper, there were even makeshift ladders to climb up. Unfortunately the ladders were wet and very slippery. I used the rocks instead.
Sometimes I had to scramble under rocks.
I started up this steep section and decided, what the heck am I doing? We are the only ones in this area and if I fell, I would be stuck for a while. I got up to the tree and turned back.
Heading back down, I had a little reprieve in this one flat spot where you could actually almost stroll.
After slipping through this narrow spot, I rejoined Cathy and we made it back to camp for lunch.
Unknown's avatar

Published by

travellingwiththeschinglers

2 thoughts on “Spearfish 1”

  1. I am with Cathy! I would have waited for you also. Rocks are NOT my friend. I am surprised that you got a spot in Spearfish! I bought 2 tee shirts in Sturgis. One for Dan and one for a grandson. Where are you headed now??

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment