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Nick's Computer Works Sturgis
2007 (sort of)
From Mesquite we followed the I-15 north 350 miles to Salt Lake City. It was mostly an enjoyable ride. We had already encountered 75 mph speed limits in Nevada and now that we were in Utah we even were able to legally remove our helmets and make our own decisions - just like adults! The St. George area in Utah is very beautiful. The scenery, weather, and people were just awesome. Awhile out of St. George we hit a little rain that was uncomfortable. Then the sun came out and dried us off and a dust storm arose that sand blasted us. As we entered Salt Lake City, a storm was about to hit. We checked into the Sky Harbor Inn and Apartments hotel, which was quite different than we are used to. It is a mixture of apartments and hotel rooms. The apartments - some with less than stellar tenants - are out back by the pool and laundry room. The laundry room is very nice and modern with plenty of machines, however, the machines are marked for the dollar amount needed, but they don't accept money. You have to buy a card like a prepaid telephone card for $2.00 and then the amount of credits that you want on it. The trouble is that the card can only be used there and the credits are in $5.00 increments. So we had to pay $10.00 to get the card and enough credits to do $4.00 worth of laundry. We ended up giving the card and its remaining balance to one of the tenants. Service was not one of Sky Harbor's greatest assets. We met up for dinner with Bill and Dee West. We had met Bill and Dee through an email request to use our store computer for a few minutes a couple of weeks prior to our trip. It was just a chance meeting and it sure paid off for us - and I hope them too. It turns out that Bill and Dee have visited the Yellowstone and Rushmore area three times and were quite familiar with the ins and outs of the place. Their help in planning our trip was invaluable! I believe that because of them we saved a ton of time, money, and inconvenience. Before dinner Bill took a look at my bike as I was bottoming out with too much load on the back. The Harley shop like everything else in Utah was closed that day for Pioneer Day - an official state holiday commemorating the Mormon pioneers. The state office says the holiday is not an official religious holiday, but everyone knows it is. That is cool. Bill had a shock absorber pump that we used on my bike and then he told me to take it with me and send it back when my trip was done. He did not even really know me and had no way of knowing if I would return it! What an act of generosity! But it did not stop there, Bill and Dee took us out to dinner at a very nice Italian eatery that was very good and NOT cheap. They would not let us pay for any of the meal, not even the tip! These people are truly bikers through and through! What other segment of society could you get this level of hospitality from? Bill and Dee, when we see you again, it is OUR turn to buy the dinner! Thanks for all your help! Next: Yellowstone. Click here for pictures
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