Sturgis 2014

Made it home around 10pm last night. Spent a week up in Sturgis, SD. Saw a bunch of bikes. A few people topless and assless chaps that shouldn't have done.... Although, there were some visual highlights! Crazy horse. Mount Rushmore. Scenery.

Had Kevin take care of Mr.P for the week. He was happy to see me return though.

Now it is back to the grind of living Free and Easy. Debating whether I want to Mow, clean up the havoc of the Trailer tear down, or continue listening to the weather roll in.

I missed it by a few hours, but apparently there was a very wild hail storm up here around Cripple Creek, CO. 

Actually. If you guys recall my 'Hobbit' REI tent I was living in before the house was dried in, that is interesting story.

On Saturday we all went to downtown Sturgis to see the last bits of it all. A storm rolled in. Basically shut the entire place down for the 2014 Season. We all had to hop from shop to shop to make it back to the truck. Even waiting an hour or so in one shop in particular. Deluges of water came down over all the food stands, completely ruining their grills of food. Even the tent we were in ended up springing a leak at the seams. A torrent river of water came crashing down against a wall of leather vests/jackets. The employees, of course, were not thrilled.

When we did finally make it back to base camp... I found my Hobbit tent mashed up. The weather had ripped a huge gash in the Fly. Snapped the aluminum backbone of it. Inside I found a kiddy pool of water.

Just what we want to find when we return for the night and desire sleep. ;-)

Luckily, I came back in time to toss the sleeping bag in the drier before the water penetrated the nylon shell and saturated the down. The front also passed, so I could haphazardly dump out the water, Remove the fly. Bend the poles back-ish. Sleep on a rolled out dry towel. Using my pack as a pillow. (My mat was filled with water)

Also. I am happy to report that my call to REI earlier came to the knowledge that I can either replace it or refund it. Just have to make it down there. (A weight off as this thing was $418 all in)

How did you all fare this week??

- Cloud

Ethiopian ; How much room can a near 15lb cat and a man have together?

Two in one day? Woah, buddy.

There is an Ethiopian restaurant across the street. Had it for the first time, tonight. Ooh, so delish. PLUS. You get to eat it with your fingers. Even got to chat up a pretty girl. Not too shabby Mr. Cloud.

I ordered Gotem Wot. It is well seasoned collard greens with potatoes and carrots. As a side there is a small salad and spiced lentils. It all sits on Injera with additional Injera rolled on the side. (A crepe-like flat bread made with Teft. A cereal grain from the region)

Oh, I figured I should show you how the Marmot Two person tent is set up. Just how crammed am I? Not very at all. You have to realize that I still had much less 'volume' in the Eureka Solitaire than I do with the cat and all HIS belongings. Silly Bugger.

Kiki's Dog Crate where his food and water reside.

Gotem Wot - Injera - Salad - Spiced Lentils

Head of Tent. Dog Crate and Head of Mummy sleeping Bag

Foot of Tent. Cat Carrier. Scratchy Cardboard. Wheat litter.

Lap Of Luxury

The New House!