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Page 14 of 20 When we came back down the trail, Tom was visiting with a group of elderly women, who seem fascinated with him and the motorcycles. As we approached, Tom put each arm around one of his admirers, and grinned at the camera. Another great moment frozen in time. We climbed back on board (the passenger seat now had my particular imprint on it) and drove through Custer State Park. Never did see a buffalo - but the landscape was beautiful. Needles Highway also held some amazing rock formations. Roy brought the entire group to an unexpected stop to view the "Needles" (and to get a beer!) The great touring day was capped off with another night at the Broken Spoke. We made the chilly ride back to our hotel, grateful for heated rooms in August. DAY FIVE - THE TRIP BACK HOME For three days we were almost normal people on vacation, waking up later than usual, enjoying the first steaming cup of coffee while reading the local newspaper. Today we were back to "Harley" mode - up earlier than the sun after too little time spent asleep. The early morning start took its toll. I made the unforgivable decision to ride in the truck with Bob, instead of on the back of the Harley. I was too tired to care about the razzing I received, but I also noticed a few wistful looks at the empty seat in the truck. If I could read minds. We began the long trek home, reversing our route. The Black Hills receded from view, but not from our memories. Soon the landscape turned from brilliant green to dull brown. Wyoming was closing in on us. Today the destination superseded the journey. Estes Park, Colorado glimmered off our imaginations as a distant, unreachable goal.
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