6-26-10
Thursday 6-24-10, rode from Avon to Pickstown with head winds most of the way, 34 ml. It was slow going. Had to stop here as not much between Pickstown and Burke. Finally caught up with my adventure cycling section 2 map I had left at Aimee’s. Many thanks to Mary the postmaster in Pickstown and Jefferson IA. I also meet up with the Murr family (Stewart, Kate, daughter Jane 5 yrs old, and son Bradly, 3 yr old) from the KATY trail (they are traveling from St. Augustine FL to Oregon on the L & C trail. They are staying an extra day in Pickstown for a pow wow going on at the casino. I learned that going SD 50 was the way to go as the route was torn up and had several miles of gravel. I stayed at the campground by the dam and where the old Ft Randle was. I toured the grounds of the old fort. It was built around 1850’s and abandoned in 1892.

Friday I rode from Pickstown to Burke, then Gregory 53 ml. The weather forecast was for mild winds with gusts to 26 ml per hour. There was a lot of gusting going on. It was a long ways between places. Made it to Fairfax early on, and stopped in at Lousie’s Cafe and cooled off, refilled on water and splurged on a 2 egg omelet for $2.85. When I finally got to Burke I stopped in at the Pump n Stuff C store to cool down and get a snack. There were three guys there, much like Casey’s in Varna but with tables. Got to talking with Slim (in his 70’s probably) runs the projector at the Drive in theater in Gregory. He suggested to save miles go up to Gregory on 18 then go north on sd 47 to Ft Thompson. The shoulders up to Burke were nice and wide, from Burke to Gregory not so much. I camped in the city park in Gregory. They had a community pool where I was able to take a shower and cool off. The park is a favorite for teens after dark I learned.

Saturday 6-26-10
Left Gregory after a not such a restful sleep. It is 46 ml to the interstate, I 90 and another 16 to Ft. Thompson (this way vs the official rt saves about 30 ml). The 1st ten miles went very well with no wind or a slight tail wind. Then the wind changed and it was a strong head wind. About mile 19, pushing the bike up a hill a wonderful rancher George K. stopped and offered a ride. I refused once but not the second time he offered. We stopped by his folks house for a cup of coffee and refill on the water. He also took me to see the peak where L & C first climbed and saw the herds of buffalo. He then took me about 23 ml up the road, past 2 large hills. George, I should have gotten your cell number. After being dropped off, about 2 ml down the road came across a herd of cattle in the road. Would have been good to give you a call so you could have let someone know. Fortunately a couple of cars came by and nudged them back to the opposite side of the road I was riding on. They just stared at me as I road by. Got to Reliance and rested a bit. When I came out the wind had died down a lot which helped the trip to Ft. Thompson. Saw a lot of different birds riding by some wet lands on the way to Ft. T.. Not much in Ft T., weather looks bad so am staying in the motel. Tomorrow on to the out skirts of Pierre. This will give me Monday to find a place to store the bike while in Cincy for Mom’s services.