https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19HYkaDPHW/ The weather was much nicer today. I left my hotel in Deadwood in the morning feeling rested and ready to go. I jumped back on the George Mickelson Trail and pedaled just a few mellow miles to Lead, an old mining town that sits just up the hill from Deadwood. Fun fact: Once home to the Homestake Mine, the largest and deepest gold mine in North America, Lead now hosts a major scientific research facility underground studying dark matter and neutrinos. (https://sanfordlab.org/) From there, I got on Highway 385 heading south. It’s a two-lane highway with very little traffic and plenty of space for a cyclist. The Black Hills made for great riding. Rolling climbs, sweeping views, and forested hills in every direction. When the weather cooperates like it did today, it’s just about perfect. After 10 miles or so, I turned east onto Nemo Road (Highway 404), which delivered a mostly downhill cruise all the way into Rapid City. Gorgeous riding all the way. The sun got hotter as the afternoon wore on, and I started thinking about milkshakes the way a prospector thinks about gold. I made it to the edge of town and jumped on the bike path that follows the river. It was peaceful and shaded, just what I needed to wind down the ride. From there, I pedaled south to my aunt Carla’s place, where I was greeted with hugs, smiles, and a much needed shower. It had been many years since I’d seen Carla, and even longer since I’d seen my cousins Laura and Heather. Reconnecting with family after decades made the ride into Rapid City even more meaningful.