Day 29

Day twenty-nine, August 6, 2011

When we checked into Chief Motel last night, we were offered two breakfast vouchers for the Wrangler Family Cafe next door.  These vouchers cost $1.50 each and included eggs; pancakes or toast; hashbrowns; bacon, sausage, or ham. Of course we added these to our tab!  When we walked in all eyes were on us.  We definitely just walked into a towny restaurant and clearly we did not fit!  I guess it was obvious that we were not from around here.  We sat down and thats when I thought I spotted a celeb!  Whenever I go out to eat I usually strategically place myself in a seat where I have a good view of the rest of the restaurant so that I can people watch.  This morning I don't know what I was thinking, maybe since I hadn't had any coffee yet I wasn't fully awake, but I managed to sit on the far side of the booth, meaning my back was to the whole restaurant.  Of course I still took a scan of the room and this is when I spotted something strange.  This person was almost directly behind me so it was hard to look without being caught.  I had to clue Rob in, even though he isn't much into people watching or "over hearing" conversation.  I told him to check out the person sitting in the last booth across the way.  His jaw immediately dropped and he asked "what is that?" I explained that I was trying to figure that out also "man or woman?" We were baffled, and that is when compare him to Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire.  This person was clearly a man, a pretty decent size one!  Maybe 6 foot 4, 240 pounds?  Not over weight, just a solid, big boned man.  Yeah I know, pretty big right? Anyway this man was wearing a gray haired wig, pulled back in a bun. He had on a blouse, skirt, tights and heels.  His finger nails were  painted and he had a purse in hand, the only thing he did not have down was the walk.  He still very much walked like a man.  About 15 minutes after I pointed out Mrs. Doubtfire  to Rob he looked at me and said, "why did you point that out to me??? I can't stop staring now!!" We tried so hard to get a picture but people were sitting at the tables in between us and the cross dresser.  Rob got really excited when he realized a couple of tables were paying and getting ready to leave, he told me to get the camera ready, he thought he would be able to inconspicuously take a picture.  These families took too long though, a couple moments later he said that Mrs. Doubtfire just asked for his/her check too!  (I'm so proud of how his people watching skills  have improved!). I told him that this was ok because I had a perfect view of the cash register and that when it got up to pay I would snap away.  I told him he had to keep a really close eye on him/her because I had to get my phone ready to take a picture.  Next thing I know Mrs. Doubtfire is walking right past our table!!! Rob got so into his pancakes, that he took his eyes off the prize!!!  Thankfully I was able to work my magic, I quickly opened up my camera and before he/she left for good I snapped a few classic shots!

After breakfast we headed north to see Mount Rushmore.  We took the long, scenic way up Needles Highway, located in the Black Hills.  As we drove along Needles Highway we entered Custer State Park.  The beginning of this highway, was a regular two lane road.  But when we approached the first tunnel (one way, 8'4" wide and 12' tall)  it turned into a wide one-lane road, with no center strip, but plenty of turnouts.  This highway quickly climbs, taking you directly underneath one rocky outcropping after another. The tunnels were the most exciting part of this highway but coming in a close second was the fact that on either side of our car we were surround by tall, jagged, granite spears.  Rather than taking the entire loop around to Mount Rushmore and going through Custer's wildlife loop (Yellowstone was enough wildlife for me!) we took a short cut - Black Hills Playhouse.  This took us straight across to the other side of the loop.  We continued around the windy road and went through a few more very narrow tunnels.  About an hour later we finally approached the last tunnel.  This tunnel was absolutely amazing because as you drove through the tunnel you had your first really good view of Mount Rushmore!  Our photographer liked this scene so much that we had to pull over so that his shot wasn't "rushed!" 

We drove up to the visitors center so that we could get a closer look at the mountain and decided to park.  As we approached Mount Rushmore, we passed gift shops, food stands and memorials.  The side walk that leads you to the closest point you can get to the mountain is lined with every state flag. The visitors center was packed with information about the sculptor, the process, the tools used, timelines, why the presidents were depicted in the way they are, and also information about the four presidents chosen to be on the mountain.  We walked through the exhibits room, the book room, and watched a short video on the history of the mountain in the theatre room.  

After leaving Mount Rushmore Rob took a quick look at the map and realized that we were very close to Sturgis, North Dakota (where the motorcycle rally will be taking place next week).  He informed me that we would defineitely be getting off that exit and driving through the town because he was convinced that the town would already be getting ready for the rally.  Before the mountain was totally out of sight as we rounded the bend we were able to get one more cool picture of Mount Rushmore, the profile of George Washington.

After driving for about an hour we reached Stugis.  We got off the exit and were immediately bombarded by hundreds and thousands of motorcycles!  They were everywhere and the town was already absolutely crazy.  There were tents set up selling biker attire, helmets, bike accessories, and even some set up ready for someone to drop in and get a tattoo!  The men on the streets were decked out, leather jackets or vests, Harley Davidson shirts, leather pants or chaps, and boots.  The women, on the other hand were not all dressed the same.  One women were hard core bike owners, big, manly,  leather jackets, chaps and boots.  Other were biker chicks, cute Harley tank tops, jeans and knee high boots.  Then there were the group "other" girls in tiny little shorts, bras, and thigh high socks or boots, that were trying to pick up the bikers!  Anyway you look at it the streets were packed!  No street signs or stop lights were really being followed, it was free-for-all!  Most townies were loving it!  They had lawn chairs out in their front yard watching the bikes arrive.  Some were even trying to take advantage of this time and make a few extra bucks.  We pasted one boy holding up a sign that read, "pitch a tent in our backyard $15 a night." Another house we passed had a poster up that read, "room and tent space available."The last sign we saw said, "space available, comes with pool.". Next to this sign was a small kiddie pool so we weren't sure if there was another pool in the backyard or if it was one of those what you see is what you get things!  

The rest of our trip to Bismarck, North Dakota was very uneventful.  The rest of the time in South Dakota we saw many motorcycle that were most likely making their way down to Stugis for the rally but that is about it.  Once we got into North Dakota we saw nothing.  No homes, no cars, no towns, no buildings, NOTHING.  I was looking forward to getting onto the interstate and stopping for gas and a snack, but nope we couldn't.  Just about every exit was preceded with a sign that said, No Services.  Until reaching Bismarck we saw just about Rob.  Rob became intrigued and started to look up info on this deserted state.  He found out that there were 300,000 less people living in the entire state of North Dakota than there are people living in Bergen County!  Since we were unable to stop all day we made it to our campsite in Bismarck in pretty good time.  Don't worry we did NOT camp!  I still have not fully recovered from our Yellowstone camping trip and refused to camp again so instead we rented a log cabin in the campsite for the night.  We were both so happy we did this because the log cabin was so adorable!  It was a two bedroom log cabin!  When you first walked in there was a queen sized bed and a small table with 2 chairs.  Right off this room was the second bedroom, a room with 2 sets of bunks.  So this ended up working out perfectly for us.  

After checking in we needed to eat!  I tried to look up restaurants in Bismarck but there was not much to choose from!  I found one place that received 4 stars - Space Aliens Bar and Grill.  It was only 5 miles away and the menu seemed to have everything so that was the winner.  As we were driving on the highway we spotted this place from a mile away.  There were aliens and spaceships everywhere, all of which were brightly lite up!  We parked the car and walked in.  We were greeted by. Chuckie Cheese Atmosphere, arcade games everywhere, prizes to be won, and screaming kids.  I looked at Rob but already knew the answer, we weren't going anywhere else, this place has food and we were both starving.  As we waited to get a table, one of the servers asked us if we were over 22 and then quickly corrected herself and said or 21 whatever.  We hesitated but both shook our heads.  She said, "Oh ok, then you guys can go sit in at the bar if you want." Perfect!  The bar was still totally covered with outer space decor but at least it was missing the screaming children!  

We headed back to the log cabin, retreated to our computers, our own rooms, and BEDS!  Tomorrow is Minnesota.  Peace, love, and happiness, the Nomads!