Live simple and be content

 The main theme of this trip was 'There is always a reason for the way things happen'. Going in knowing how things would go on my trip and how they went down were two totally different things. I knew that I would meet extraordinary people and that I would have some laughs and great times. I have allot of friends with motorcycles but I personally haven't had a ride in over 20 years. This fact is probably why I approached and experienced this trip to Nemo, South Dakota with such awe and childlike enthusiasm.
One man that I met on the first day was a man named Mark. He hails from Missouri or as he says so cute in his dialect, Missura. His life there he shares with his wife Diana of 37 years and he has had the humbling experience of being pastor to over 70 in his community for the past 13 years and hopefully 10 more. He was camping right near our trailer so our paths often crossed and a friendly conversations occurred. Being a pastor wasn't something I knew right off about Mark. Even before I knew I had the strong thought in my head that this is a man that 'walks the walk'.

This is Mark's bike and 'tent/hammock'. Notice there is no cushion on his seat, and he drove this all over the region and to and from Missouri! He is one of the happiest people I met.
One of my favorite conversations with Mark happened one morning at coffee at Jimmy's trailer. Mark and his family live in the county where Jesse James and the Younger brothers created their colorful part in the history books as outlaws. His history lesson that morning and consequential lead into a mini sermon, so subtle that if you weren't paying attention you would have missed the message, helped me to realize perhaps the reason why I was drawn to go to Nemo this summer.
Mark spoke of his life in Missouri and the fact that his church does not have a computer, phone, electricity or until recently indoor plumbing. The tone that Mark lives his life by and leads by example in a very profound way is 'Live life simple and be content.' This resonated with me as I had just spent the last two weeks quieting my mind and enjoying the gifts that were given to me by being able to spend time in God's country. the Black Hills are beautiful and to enjoy their splendor and rich history is something I recommend every American citizen does. By the number of bike enthusiasts I encountered I'd say that there are allot of people rediscovering how great this country that we live in is.
This next photo is of two great comrades. Both rally attendees for near 15 years, meeting at Nemo Guest Ranch for many of those rallies. Mark and Bryan share a love of the road that is typical to the people that are beckoned to these hills to gather once a year and celebrate the thrill that is being on a motorcycle in the great open spaces.

Nemo Guest Ranch 73rd Sturgis Rally season 2013

I'm so glad we've had this time together

 After coming back from Deadwood and playing my infatuated tourist self, we had a date with Willie to enjoy one last fire by the Nemo General Store. She had the home fires burning when we got back to the ranch at dusk and it was a perfectly still night out to recap the past week's events and have some final moments of fellowship with this incredible woman. Willie's life is a colorful one filled with Vegas productions, marvelously successful children, marriage to a pretty decent man and for the last seven years hostess at the Nemo Guest Ranch. I know I have a new friend in South Dakota and I am certain Willie feels the same way about me because she told me that she really enjoyed having me at the ranch and that I am welcome back any time.
                                               

Representing Durand with my Outhouse sweatshirt!

Willie, myself and Marilyn

Willie and Troy

The Incomparable Wiladine Saye

There are other nice folks at the ranch.
David and Sylvia from Arkansas.

Monique and Daniel from Las Vegas.

Monique's dog, maniac, but I called him Toto.

Sharon and Bob, residents of Nemo whom helped out at the store.

Sharon worked in the store with Sylvia and Wille.

Bob ran the outside side bar at the store.

We spent time every day with Jimmy and his son Keith. you may recall from an earlier post that Jimmy had the coffee perculator!

There are a few others I will introduce you to in a another post, but for the most part this was my extended family for the last two weeks. Along with the family that ran the restaurant, I got to know these people as well as you could expect to in two weeks.
I would like to think I will make it back to the ranch and enjoy the 75th Annual Sturgis Rally, but that is two years away and I can only plan a week at a time!

Dances With Wolves

How appropriate the first night that I am back from the Black Hills in South Dakota that Dances With Wolves is on my television. Ironically, I had two different dreams about Kevin Costner while staying at the Nemo Guest Ranch. I discovered he had a Casino and restaurant in Deadwood so my trip to Deadwood included stopping by for a meal at his restaurant, and dropping a buck in the machines. I rarely dream of people in my dreams, let alone my celebrity crush. Whatever the reason it made me very happy and I was certain that either one#, I would walk into Diamond Lil's and sit down next to Kevin after him just returning from his county fair circuit with his band Kevin Costner and the Modern West and have a drink and get my picture taken with him, making my entire trip, or two# I would have a great meal with my new friend taking pictures like a tourist and revel in the fact that I was in his place of business. I am no fool and I do realize that a management group handles these things and his name is simply on the business as a draw, but an added bonus for us fans is that all of his costumes and film history are what make up the decor in the restaurant.

Midnight Star

Hatfield's and MCoys

Waterworld

Tin Cup

Dances With Wolves

Bodyguard

Wyatt Earp

The Guardian

For The Love Of The Game

Diamond Lil's

No Way Out

 

3000 Miles To Graceland

 

 

 

Deadwood is a great little 'western' town. Even though we didn't make it until Saturday and the Rally ended the next day, the number of bikes in town could have represented the first day of Rally. 

I don't believe that my 'obsession' with Mr. C. is finished. Goodness I hope not. Going to Deadwood was a great experience.

Indianology

One of the most anticipated groups to come to the rally besides the antique group that came earlier in the week was the group from France riding Indian Motorcycles. The organizer ordered a small house sign from Jimmy's signs and also a larger plaque with an Indian motorcycle. They stop here was brief, but I have to tell you that I got chills being around these extraordinary cycles and all of the french men riding them. Chico being a full blooded Sioux was included and interviewed for a documentary/article they are doing for their Indian Motorcycle magazine and french television network.

Chico in full Indian mode! He was excited to be included.

The directors waiting for the signs.

As this was happening at the mouth of the other driveway a young lady had been thrown off of the back of the bike causing her to flip twice and catch her leg on the fender of the bike. A nasty cut on her leg, a possible concussion from slamming into the ground, the EMT's tended to her until ambulance arrived. She was conscious and still with good vitals but her driver ended himself up in jail for reckless driving. he had gone full throttle out of the gravel driveway causing this senseless accident.