The Sturgis Rally is over and my work is done. All told I’ve now worked 29 days this year. Money is flush and unless something comes along, I will not work again until the Daytona Rally in March of next year. For many years I’ve come to Camp-5, for I love the quiet freedom of this rent-free place. No matter where one makes camp at this rally, it will not take long before those in the vicinity become buddies and hell have need to return every year to see them. Its been like that at Camp-5 for many years, but this rally was a little different. The usual Camp-5 crew tends to show up early then trickle on home by mid or late week. This year however, a collection of motorcycle drifters showed up then hung around for some days after the rally. Most (with the exception of Joe Sparrow, who only stayed one night) were new to the road and the passion and excitement that filled the air as they swapped ideas and told story of adventure and the places theyd been or those to which they were going was quite refreshing. This brought a new dynamic to Camp-5 and made me think of what a freight train hobo convention must be like. For me the road has been normal life for 20 years and is really all I know anymore. And although the passion remains, no longer is this an exciting new world for this old drifter. What follows is a handful of photos depicting some of the goings on at Camp-5 this year. Almost everyday we patronized Tin Lizzys casino in Deadwood for the $5 dinner buffet ($4 if youre over 50, which most of us are). Some of these guys brought stoves for hot coffee every morning and the bullshit sessions seemed to never end, often carrying on late into the night. I watched as tight friendships came to pass so quickly and easily. Tuesday after the rally, seven of us took a long ride through the Black Hills and it was, of course, spectacular. I hope to post some of those shots later on. Today everybody finally filtered out alone or in pairs to explore the great wonders of this world. Once again I am alone in Camp-5. The big noise is over and the night is breathtakingly beautiful. It is good to be home.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 03:31:26 +0000