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Sept 16: Broadus, Montana to Buffalo Gap, South Dakota

As the title says, this day started in Broadus, Montana and ended up in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota.  In between was Sturgis, South Dakota.

I spent the morning in Broadus, had breakfast and walked around town taking pictures while doing my weekly laundry.  Broadus is a breath of fresh air, an unassuming, unpretentious, zero hype little town of friendly and accommodating people.  At least that’s who I encountered.  What a contrast to the hype that was Cody, Wyoming.  I did meet some nice people in Cody, but the town was dominated by the circus that was the Buffalo Bill/tourism/all-things-western complex.  Broadus is not a tourist town, but in my view it would be worth going out of your way some distance to have a meal or overnight there.

Sturgis was all I was afraid it would be.  I’m not at all down on Harley riders, but I think Sturgis attracts a group of riders that represent a culture I don’t appreciate and I’m not comfortable with.  I rode around town and took some pictures, hoping to find something to change my opinion.  I didn’t find it.  May-be I need to loosen up.

The day ended in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota.  What a treasure.  It’s off the main road and I wouldn’t have known about the place, but needed to ride through it to visit my cousin John Beard who lives just outside of town with his family.  I didn’t see any restaurants in Buffalo Gap.  There were a few bars, a thrift shop, a big collectibles operation with lots of novel things, and probably some other places I can’t remember right now.

Lots of pictures today:

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This is John, who I ran into on three separate occasions in town.  He is riding from Philadelphia to California, the reverse of my trip.  He may not be the happiest, most positive person in the world, but he’s definitely in the top ten.

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This is Walt, who owns and is the main cook at the cafe on the west edge of town where I had dinner the night before. I met him during dinner and again at the laundromat.  He is a quiet, gentle and admirable person.

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Back into Wyoming for awhile

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Bullet holes on the backside of the Forever West Wyoming sign

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Buffalo Gap, SD

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The road to John’s house

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5 Comments

  1. Stephen Malm Stephen Malm

    Hi Mike,

    I’m jealous of the time you’re getting to spend back there! FYI – I passed up Sturgis for the same reasons – I’m anemic to straight pipes!

    FYI – two things I’ve found helpful on my trips:
    1). John Deere makes a GREAT flat fix that surpasses anything (Slime .etc) I’ve found – it comes in a caulk tube and is a reliable solution to a quick tire patch…..
    2) Seafoam fuel additive – this will keep your fuel system happy with the vagaries of fuel quality you may encounter….

    Nice pics!
    – Stephen

  2. Randy Pfyl Randy Pfyl

    Thanks for the update. I’ll bet those wide open Montana, Wyoming, and Dakota skies are impressive – especially if there is some weather on the horizon. Did you get to Devils Tower (Close Encounters of the Third Kind).
    Good Luck as you motor over to Minneapolis.

  3. I am really enjoying your journey, Mike. The trip, photos, and eventually the memories are priceless. The photos are of a quality that begs a detailed perusal to appreciate fully. Next best thing to being there myself. It’s great you’re finding the obscure hamlets that have the most flavor and charisma, as well as the iconic towns like Sturgis. They all have a place in your story.

  4. kitty kitty

    go Mike! wish you a safe journey.

  5. fledermaus fledermaus

    That gravel road must have been interesting. I don’t find it too challenging on my own GTS, on the other hand, I’ve never done more than a mile or less at a time.

    You have to feel a bit out of place on a Vespa in Sturgis. Could bring out the rebel in a guy. ;o)

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