day 3, Algona Iowa.....This morning we stop and look at motorcycle trailers at a small dealership in Algona, we pack anything else and we may need one. A short stop to top off the tank, and we head west on route 18 . Just over a 100 miles later we stop in the town of Hull Iowa for a snack break and map check, while there we top off the tanks. Between the speeds we are able to run out here, and the wind we are fighting I notice a drop in my mpg.
We continue on route 18 into South Dakota, stopping at a truck stop at the state line where we top off, make a few calls,, and grab a snack.
Riding across South Dakota the first thing I notice is how desolate the area is. Just because you see a town on the map is no reason to think you can find fuel when you arrive. With the VTX getting less mpg, that becomes a worry.
We stop to take a break in Turkey ridge, just a dot on the map. The reason I stop is the small general store along the road, a place that looks to inviting to pass. we visit with the owners for about half an hour , take a few pics and we are underway again. We go north on route 81 to the town of Freeman looking for fuel. The station does not have premium , so we ride on up 81 to the next town. Doulton South Dakota,,"No fuel Here" Doulton , population 38. according to the 2009 census,yes I looked that up online.. The town had a gas station at one time, long closed up and overgrown with weeds. On fumes now, we head back to Freeman, no choice today, fill up with regular. Leaving Freeman we turn west on route 44, an hour later we pass through the town of Parkston South Dakota, this is where things get interesting. I have seen road construction before, but not like this. They were repaving 44, and had , in many places,,ground the pavement down to the dirt. 18 miles, single lane,,dirt!!! the traffic in front of us kicked up so much dirt we could barely see. We were covered in it, our bikes turned brown from the clouds of dirt and dust.
That evening we call it a day in winner South Dakota, we stay at the Buffalo Trail motel. After unloading our bikes, we had to find a car wash to clean up the bikes. They had a thick layer of brown dirt on them. Back at the motel for a long shower and dinner out of our packs,,time to rest.
