The Road is Open

Today the Road is open; there is no need to make or change reservations, inventory belongings, fill out another report, talk with an insurance company, or mend a car. Today we just drive.

The main group from Southern California had planned an epic drive for the day. They were going to log a considerable amount of miles on the road this day. Monuments, vistas, historical sites, you name it, it was on the itinerary.

The trip sounded fantastic, but a bit much for Diane and I. As we were listening to the details of the day’s tour at the Drivers Meeting, Louis and Bonnie recognized this might be the case and approached us with another opportunity.

What we decided was the best road plan for us would be to take it a little easy and just drive on the backroads that the Indian Motorcycle group drives. Roads where nary a tourist bus is to be found.

The roads in the Black Hills are glorious and not just for their serpentine qualities that make driving a sports car a joy. And it is not just because the vistas are beautiful and the landscape is awe inspiring. In addition to these fundamental ingredients for what makes a great driver’s road, it is that they are meticulously maintained.

That might not be important to one who is driving a five or six thousand pound urban assault vehicle, but it sure makes a difference when you’re in a 2,500 lbs open roadster with tires that are the approximate width of a pizza cutter. In a word, “smooth.”

This is the reason that motorcyclist love the Black Hills. A half a million or more come here every July to enjoy these “smooth” roads. That, and when they are not on the road riding, beers with a chaser, and the ever present opportunity to exercise poor judgement in a group setting.

Part of our drive included us stopping in Sturgis for lunch. When we arrived we ran into our friends from the main Healey tour, so upon our arrival the parking lot was filled with Healeys. Such a fine site to see.

Once the ink was dry on Bonnie and Diane’s tattoos we were back on the road.

The Road was kind today. With the exception of a little rain and a pretty impressive hail storm, the weather cooperated. We were smart this time, when the skies looked threatening we pulled right over to put our tops up. As I am assembling the pup tent, generously referred to as a convertible top, onto the Healey, I hear the words from the Greeter at Ruby’s Restaurant/Old West Museum/Outdoor Adventure Emporium ringing in my ears, “Oh, that ain’t nothing son.”

Get thee behind me Lord Lucas.

Upon our return to the hotel, we all had to swing into action to prep our cars to load them on the car transporter. This was a bit of a trick for Diane and I, as we had to pack a Range Rover of belongings into a two seat roadster.

 

 

 

Channeling Cy Boysen, we were able to a fit all of our belongings into the Healey; excepting the carry on bag we would be taking on the plane the next day.

Tuesday night was the closing ceremony for this Conclave. The banquet was great, with all attendees happy for the experience. Louis dressed in his finest Hawaiian shirt and shorts. This, coupled with a hastily made “sandwich board” sign soliciting a 100 M or BN2 Healey was quite the vision.

Also, the Minnesota group awarded to us the the not so coveted “Hard Luck Award.”

Tomorrow we will begin our trip home. Our Healey will be somewhere in Utah and the trailer in California. We will be upon a ship with gossamer wings.