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As the Motorcycle Monster crew travels around the world it has become more and more apparent with each trip that the most impressive part of motorcycling is the ride. This comment is not meant to diminish the excitement of motorcycle events. We're always a little giddy as we approach the next big biker party. The excitement grows as each venture matures and adds elements of excitement.

Party venues like the Iron Horse, the Cabbage Patch, Gillies in Daytona or the famous Baffalo Chip in Sturgis always make for a festive, outrageous party that just seems to get better each year. The part of the adventure that really effects us most, upon later reflection, has become the part of the trip where we go out into the country side and just ride.

When we recently went to South Dakota for the Sturgis Rally and Races, this became most clear. We're not sure if it's the historic grander and the cold chills we felt when we first viewed Mount Rushmore. Or the almost overwhelming reverence we felt as we set and reflected upon the tragic history of the American Indian when we visited the Crazy Horse 60 year project. The Crazy Horse Mountain is an on-going project to fulfill a promise made by a Rushmore contributing sculpture, Korczak Ziolkowski, to an Lakota Indian Chief. His promise was to a monument to the most respected American Indian Hero, Chief Crazy Horse. Even today, over 60 years later, seven of Korczak's ten children with their father's promise. One of the most amazing parts of this monumental task is that it is all privately funded.

Another day was spent enjoying wild buffalo, deer, mountain goats and various prairie dogs while riding the wilderness, winding roads of Custer State Park. To gaze across the thousand acres of Black Hills with no trace of civilization is breath taking. To ride through the countryside much like horseback riders did a 150 years ago, we really began to understand the adage is not destination, it's the ride. The adrenaline feeling when you're filming a 1,000 pound buffalo at six feet is a feeling we've never had before.

Another important part of any ride is the new folks you meet as you stop for gas and food and an occasional beverage. The small towns in South Dakota are filled with what we call "Real People." Folks that will look you in the eye in sincerely ask you if you are enjoying the Black Hills and your two-wheeled voyage. They ask because they care and sincerely want you to come back. They anxiously share what they realize is a very special place.

One extremely enjoying apart of this two-wheel journey was the numerous towns and villages we visited with their own special character and charm. Towns like Deadwood, where you feel like you just missed seeing Wild Bill Hickok. Or Hill City where you just want to sit on the bench and enjoy the small town feel of another time.

Probably the most breath taking site of every experience on a motorcycle is the road approaching Devil's Tower in eastern Wyoming. My father always said Wyoming is the most beautiful place on Earth. As I rolled along the winding roads towards Devil's Tower with open range, rolling hills, hundreds of deer and prairie dog and beautiful wildflowers everywhere, I knew exactly what my father had meant about Wyoming. With only a week to explore and discover we only scratched the surface.

As we began the sad process of packing and checking out of hour hotel, the group suddenly got a new burst of energy when we began to plan for next year's adventure back to Sturgis. I think once you discover something special in your life you always plan to revisit those feelings. The grander of the country side, the warmth of the people and the excitement of the ride to bring the Monster Crew back to the Black Hills many times.