Damp Deadwood nights

So, the weekend didn't turn out the way we'd hoped for, not even close. Friday dawned cloudy and chilly, but it's supposed to clear off. We take off Friday afternoon and it's still not clear, but fairly warm. We stop at Murdo in some light rain for a bite and the weather forcast. Radar shows light ground clutter but clearing further west. We proceed (dark now) to Kadoka. No place to camp, still rain. We press on to Wall (world famous Wall Drug) where we finally say, enough is enough, and sleep on the ground because the rain has stopped. Sat. morning, more clouds and chilly, damp air. We head west and make it to Rapid City and the Flying J Truckstop where it's pretty much pouring. We wait that out under the canopy, then head west again. This time we make it to Sturgis, which looks strange because all the rally vendors are gone, revealing the dumpy little cow town it really is. We leave Sturgis via Vanoeker Canyon and are instantly in beautiful winding roads. I'd never been down this road before because until this year it was gravel. The road ends at Nemo, another little Hills town, where it's raining again. This time we take refuge at a dude ranch/bed'n breakfast, where we have lunch and wait for it to stop. Finally, it does and we're off for Deadwood. When we get there, we find that rooms are a figment of the imagination, because of Kool Deadwood Nights and also, the Central States Fair happening in Rapid City. We take the last 2 tentsites at Whistler Gulch resort, and are happy to get them. After set-up and a shower, we're off for downtown, which is absolutely packed. There wasn't even a place to park a motorcycle. But we persevered and found a spot of grass. After a really poor outdoor concert by Bobby Vee and the Grass Roots, I was ready to give up. We found that the world famous Saloon #10 had live music, so we went in. I must say, that band was the high-light of my trip. They are called Rude Awakening, and they are the best cover band I've heaard in a long time. Back at camp later that night, I held court with our next door camping neighbors from Minot, ND. Great guys, with better Canadian accents than I've heard on some guys from Canada. Sunday morning = more rain, and harder now. We ride to Lead for breakfast and coffee, getting completely soaked in the process. After the worst omelette I've ever eaten, we dejectedly go back to camp, still in the downpour. For lack of anything more worthwhile, we try to nap. By this time, my tent isn't waterproof anymore and water is dripping from the ceiling onto me and the sleeping bag. I'm using dirty laundry to try and keep the floor dry. Everyone is really disgusted now, so we pack up wet and go to town to get a room. But wait, even though it's now Sunday afternoon, it's still officially Kool Deadwood Nights weekend, so one person, single bed is $89.95. At that point, I would've headed for home, but it was just too cold and wet. By happenstance, Lee strikes up a conversation with a c-store clerk, whose mother had passed away a year ago and her house was still furnished but vacant. A deal was struck, $100 changed hands and we have ourselves a furnished house on Main St. Deadwood. Finally, a hot shower and a dry bed, food in the fridge and a washer/dryer. I wash all my wet clothes and sleep like a log. Monday morning it is bright and sunny, of course it is, this is the day we have to go home! Refusing to give up, we decide to ride south through the Hills, exploring as we go. When we finally wind up in Hermosa, I'm shocked to learn it's 4 pm cental time, and we've got 400 miles yet to ride. Still refusing to admit defeat, we decide to ride home on SD Hiway 44, which traverses the southern part of the state, from west to east. I'd never been on that road before and it was beautiful. You can really see a lot more of the Badlands than you do from the interstate. I really enjoyed it, but you can't make very good time. Mostly 65 mph, with some 55 mph, almost all of it through the reservation. Which is neither here nor there, until you've been pan-handled at the gas station for $ for "food". Really sad, it just seems to be an endless cycle of alcoholism, which I'm sure has been studied endlessly by smarter people than myself, with no answers. Home at midnight, cold, wet, exhausted, hungry. Better luck next time.