Traveling at Mach 0.012

Sunday June 8

Start: Pickstown, SD
Destination: Snake Creek Recreation Area, SD
Day total miles: 71
Journey total miles: 1903

Towns passed through:
Fairfax, SD
Bonesteel, SD
St. Charles, SD
Herrick, SD
Burke, SD
Lucas, SD

Sleeping at Kings Inn, Platte, SD

My day started with a hearty breakfast at Abby’s in Pickstown, SD. Abby’s seems to have it all, breakfast (and other meals), fuel, bait, fishing tackle, water sport accessories (small and large flipflops — look like either you are a 5 or 6 or bigger than a 12– glow sticks, hardware, pickled eggs, and i am sure hunting supplies too). Oh, and like many of the other gas station and convenience store combos, you can go to the “casino” and gamble on video games (not sure what exact games, but will investigate and find out; this will mean going behind the curtain, in a separate door, or some other way that the casino is blocked off from the general public).

Breakfast started with a surly chastising by our waiter (although one patron referred to him as the waitress and was given glasses by most of the other patrons in the store; he should have guessed from the beard?). We were chastised because it was not clear that we should wait to be seated (no) and then wait fro the waiter to come and take our order. To be fair, some places with similar layouts require you to order at the counter. I also guess they figured out quickly that we were not from around here, maybe my bike shorts gave it away. Once we got the hang of how to order, we got coffee (had to ask for the milk; they must like it black in these parts, which was ok by me). The waiter came to take our orders and I asked for 2 pancakes, since the menu said “pancake.” Looking down over his glasses, i was told that i only needed one, they are as big as the plate and if one was not enough he would bring me another for free as long as I ate it all. I settled for a single. It is so hard picking up on the nuances of the breakfast ordering as we move across the country. The pancake was great and as advertised as big as the plate. Life was good.

After several refills of coffee, the waiter warmed up to us and told us that most of the out of towners mistakingly ask for more than one pancake and that they are famous for them. It was a pretty awesome pancake for $2.95.

On the road. Across the Ft Randall Dam I went and up a hill for the first major climb of the day. Glad it was early, the road was a bit narrow over the dam. Some beautiful sites.

Looking back towards Pickstown

The valley from on top of the hill.

I saw similar views all day.

THe wind was at my back, the air a little cool (started out at 44 deg, brr). I put a lot of miles on pretty fast because the terrain was mostly gentle rolling hills, a fairly smooth road, and almost no traffic. Hit 2000 miles somewhere in Gregory county SD, near the sign advertising for O’Neil NE. Judging from the sign, they must be proud of their Irish heritage.

Kept moving until i saw the sign for Fairfax, 1 mile. Glad i don’t have to go to this one for work every day. Would be quite the commute.

Tis true…

First stop was in Bonesteel, SD, aka road to the river. Stopped for a quick snack, some warmth and to sample the local humor. The general store was busy with weekend anglers lined up for single day fishing licenses. Quite the process involving photo IDs, money, and scissors to cut out the temporary pass. I got to jump ahead since you “don’t need a license to bike (said with SD accent and a few laughs from the others in line. But “you better hurry, there is a storm coming and it is going to be bad.” I checked the weather on my phone and did see some storms out there. Had to move on. St CHarles is the next town, then Herrick, and then Burke (am I really not in VA?). Glad i did not need to stop at the first 2. Was on the lookout for potential shelter along the way in case the skies opened up. Contemplated sharing with various livestock, if necessary although the bulls did not look like they were in the mood for company. You know, even the cows, steers, and horses and yes the occasional sheep siting yields all of the animals staring in wonderment as the guy pedals by on the bike. Sometimes the cows and steers come running towards me, guess they associate a human with food. Poor things, all of the running and no grain from me. But the bulls, they can’t be bothered. most just ignore and one started pawing at the ground and bellowing. Made me think, can I out pedal a bull who is either mistaking me for a sweet young heifer (must have lousy eye sight, nothing about me and the bike should suggest sweet, young, or heifer) or doing the bull equivalent of chest thumping.

It did start to rain just about 3 miles from Burke. Stopped and pulled on the raincoat. I know now that I should have packed those rain pants today. I Burke, stopped at the Pump n Stuff. More coffee to warm up and a snack to keep me going. Fueled with stuff, observed that it is ok for the girlfriend/wife to pump the gas while the guy goes in for heat lamp food and then sits in the drivers seat to eat. She looked cold and i bet was thinking of a replacement.

Was following the map and directions but was a little disoriented and confused by the turn left onto the unmarked county route 6. Did not see that coming so i did not know that i was at only 0.4 miles from the last turn, not 0.6. After some confusion on Main Street, the gentleman who confused me with the odd, wrong side of the road driving along with the cars, i mean pickups, parked facing me on both sides, stopped and asked if i needed directions. How could he tell? He was very helpful and pointed me in the right direction. “lots of bicycles come thru here” to which i replied, “because adventure cycling has this on their “Lewis and Clark Route.” Both of us left enlightened.

Then the skies opened up. There was rain, some hail i believe, it was going to be a wet finish.

Ok, not really, but it is a great picture…

The ride was bearable because the terrain was still gently rolling, only a few hills, and the wind not a factor. One long downhill and across the bridge over the Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River. And into the Snake Creek Recreation Area. The nice young lady greeted me with “how was the ride?” to which I replied, “wet” she again asked “how was the ride” and i said “wet” then she noted that I have a southern accent (really) and could see that I was indeed wet. She was expecting me and directed me to the car and also let me know that the restaurant was open where I could warm up. Quick stop at the car for more clothes and then to the restaurant.

The Dock 44 restaurant was great. Warmed up with coffee and onion rings (loving the diet). The staff were great. EK showed up about an hour later, after I got my fill of Fox Sunday (enough said). What to do about the night? We could stay and camp, in the rain, ugh. or we could try Platteville about 10 miles away. Warmth in Platteville was ok with me. Call to the Kings Inn confirmed that rooms were available for about $40 something. Now, do I ride there or do something with the bike. The waitress, daughter of owner, arranged for me to leave my bike there. YESSSS! no more riding in the rain, still on course tomorrow, and a hotel for the night.

Got upgraded to the queen instead of the economy double bed room. SUch a bonus. THe Kings Inn is great. Stayed at much more expensive places that were no where as clean or friendly. Dry clothes for the morning and i am set.

WIll leave you with this: