Day 9 - The Men Go It Alone

Paul's photo of one the rock faces created by railroad blasting tunnels through the Black Hills.

Diane:  The Men were off by 9:00 or so.  I hung out in the hotel reading the NYTimes.  I feel much better after a day of rest.  I started out in Paul’s car from Hill City at 10:15 and two hours later I arrived at Carsten Cottages.  I knew it was a 29-mile drive and I knew the road was winding.  I didn’t know most of those miles were gravel.  (Sorry, Paul!). Frequently I could see the trail and cyclists on it, but I never saw Paul and Rob.  When I arrived at Carsten Cottages I prepared for the evening meal and next day’s ride, then relaxed some more, taking in the beauty around me. The Men arrived close to 2:00. 

Paul on his bike.

Rob: So now I know how Diane feels. I chased Paul the whole ride as he graciously stopped periodically to take a photo and let me catch-up. (I also know he just plain rode slow and could have been to the cottages a full hour ahead of me.)  My only plausible defense is that he was on an updated an 80’s Bianchi racing bicycle that I can lift above my head with one hand, while I am riding a 90’s converted Trek Mountain bicycle. Whatever the case, Paul, you are a gentleman. We did make the 31 miles (2/3 uphill) in about 3.5 hours. And while the ride was very scenic, the most lasting impression I have is looking up from grinding along to see Paul’s backside some distance ahead. Diane, following along on many of our rides always says, "well at least you have a cute behind" - I have no comment on Paul posterior.

Diane and Rob: Once the guys arrived and showered we visited a while then made our respective dinners, and gathered at the McDaniel cabin to enjoy dinner and further conversation.  We made further plans on handling the next day.  We would ride together to Deadwood, leaving most of our belongings in Paul’s car.  Then Rob would drive Paul back to his car, and take all our stuff from Paul’s car and put into the Transit.  (Paul had initially intended to bicycle back to his car, but decided to forego the exercise so he could more quickly start his return trip to Iowa.)

Tomorrow we have a fun almost 17-mile downhill run to Deadwood and the finish of the Mickelson Trail.

Diane and Rob

This part of the Trail is "beaver country" and it is fun to see their many dams along the way.

Of course humankind's presence is always found along the trail.  Most often fairly benevolent, but sometimes there are reminders of the unfriendly-environmental mining practices of the past, such as illustrated in the picture of the red barn below covered with cyanide barrel lids.

 

But in the end, the beauty of the Black Hills remains.