Coast2Coast Day 34:  Cottonwood to Murdo, SD; Great tailwind, one flat, and a auto show tour!

Wonderful breakfast sandwiches and home fries from Cathy, and our earliest start for a day of riding!  We were off with a great tailwind!  The rolling hills along the service road were grand, the road surface was great, and (maybe) we had seven cars pass us on the way to Murdo!

Daniel’s front tube decided it would have a slow leak, so Daniel could practice his tube changing prominence.  (He had left a stone on the inside of the tire when he changed it yesterday!!)  We did make one stop on the way, and then came upon a gathering of horses for a Sunday morning rodeo.  There were threatening clouds letting some precipitation down Northeast of where we were riding, but that never came into play with our ride.

Daniel and I arrived in Murdo just as Cathy was driving into town.  We stopped for lunch together at the Covered Wagon Cafe, before heading to the American Inn for an early check-in.  After showers, we went next door to the Pioneer Auto Show (and other stuff) and were treated to an eclectic display of items, from cars, toys, historic paraphernalia, and other items donated on display inside multiple buildings! (While at the Cafe, we met Brian, a friend of Willie’s from Willie’s Distillery in Ennis. He is traveling with Boy Scout Troop 97 on their way West to the Boy Scout Camp in the Black Hills! They should have a super time.)

Tim has at the American Inn and RV Park a cyclist-friendly environment.  He has bike rags for cleaning bikes, and encourages cyclists to bring their bikes inside the Inn.  The Inn is located along Route 248/Adventure Cycling’s Parks, Peaks and Prairies route.

We dined at the Rusty Spur, and requested to be seated in Xavier’s area.  Xavier is from Jamaica and is working in Murdo for the Summer.  We first met him at the Pilot Convenience Store, where we heard of his second job at the Rusty Spur.  (I do recommend the Steak Tip Salad.)

Cathy, Daniel and remote others are having some joy over my freaking cows, horses, and other animals we encounter along the way.  ‘Some’ have commented that the greetings may lull the animals into a comfortable space, only to be eaten later.  Animals do need friends, too!

Enjoying a night in a ‘real bed’ is a treat, as well as having a hot shower!  Simple pleasures!