Today we visted Sturgis, a small rural town in Meade County, South Dakota. According to the 2010 census, the town's population is just 6,627 people. What makes this town famous is its annual motorcycle rally which started 74 years ago when the Jackpine Gypsies motorcycle club decided to find a place to gather. The event is held during the first week of August and the population of Sturgis mushrooms to double of the entire state's resident population. Last year, there were over 750,000 people who visited Sturgis for the motorcycle rally. It is predicted that in 2015, there will be over a million visitors who will come for the 75th anniversary celebration.
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Visiting the main street Sturgis in on the bucket list for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.
The city generates sufficient income from vendors and visitors during the week justifying their existence. Today many of businesses were not yet open.
This is one of the several drinking and entertainment establishments in Sturgis. We were told that they earn 95% of their income in the 10 days period in August.
Visit http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/ for more information on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The Sturgis RV Park is managed by Bill and Sherrin Fortner. It is located only two blocks north of Main Street and just across the highway from Lynne's Dakota Mart.
J.J. and I were able to find most of the staple food items we had on our list. This is not a fruit growing region of the country. Prices of apple, pear and grapes were comparable to the prices we pay in Safeway Supermarkets in Honolulu.
My sister mentioned she recalls that when she visited South Dakota several years ago, she saw large round bales of hay. In California, where my sister lives, they are rectangular shaped. Sure enough while we were driving on I-90 heading west, I saw large round bales of hay. Apparently, farmers can harvest hay more quickly if it's round. However, rectangular bales are easier to haul and more marketable.
Stopped at a rest area and I was pleasantly surprised by two lively ladies who greeted me, "Good morning!"
Peggy and Helen both work at the Tilford West Information Center and you cannot find a pair of more joyful ladies giving out information and answering your questions. Armed with maps, books, brochures and more maps, J.J. and I bid our reluctant "adieu" to them.
"If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world." - Francis Bacon
Aloha -- Cathi
