_Day 35 - 19 July - 247 Miles
Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
_The Road
The day greeted us with thunder, pouring rain, wind, and a flooded tent. My camera, in its microfiber bag, sat in a puddle. Everything was wet! There was no point staying where we were. My version of a rainsuit, a 50 cent plastic poncho worn under my leather with the hood up under my helmet, kept me warm. The Parks Still following US 20, the rain was behind us by time we reached O’Neill. The National Parks passport book said this was the location of the Visitor Center for the Niobrara, but it had moved to Valentine, though it was closed when we got there. Rutting season for the buffalo made an interesting journey through the refuge. One bull looked as though he was going to charge the Harleys, so we headed back into town! Lodging A severe thunderstorm warning was broadcast while we were dining at the Bunk House. It was only another hour to St. Francis SD, so we dawdled to let it pass. While fueling a local came over to inform us there was a tornado warning for St. Francis. We got a room at the Motel Raine. The clouds looked like a waterfall in the sky, a rolling tornado. Had we gone on we’d have been in Kilgore, with no place to take cover, just about the time they reported 60 mph winds and walnut size hail. We called our friends to let them know we were safe for the night. |