COCI Western Tour - Day 4 07/15
Spearfish
Day 4 was the first of two days of different tours that had been offered to attendees when signing up. Fortunately the group had signed up early as all of the tours were full well before registration cut off. Most of the group was able to do the Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, and Iron Mountain Road tour on Thursday, while a couple of them will be doing that one on Friday. With Chamber of Commerce weather, the Mt. Rushmore tour started in Sturges with a 46 mile drive on beautiful roads to the first stop at a 66 station before heading to Mt Rushmore. Once at the monument the group got to check much of it out and just enjoy the grandeur of the site. From there they got on to the Needles Highway for an amazing set of narrow tunnels and twisting roads. Then the tour headed into Custer State Park and the Game Lodge restaurant where a great buffet meal was served. Eventhough everyone was full the group was then taken to Iron Mountain Road, which is absolutely amazing. After doing the 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails & 3 tunnels the group back to the 66 station for a quick break and then back to Sturges on the same scenic and curvy roads that had come in on but at a greatly enhance pace as traffic would allow. Unfortunately
a single dark cloud decided to dump rain and hail on the group while driving in one of the last set of hills, with a few dings seen afterwards. Overall it was one of the best Corvette drives all of us had ever been on and all were wishing that they lived closer so that they could enjoy them and the scenery that much more. In the evening the group ate at a downtown Italian restaurant while there also celebrated Bob's birthday too. Another fun but tiring day had by all. Tom's group on the second day of the tours is the last of the group pictures at the bottom.
a single dark cloud decided to dump rain and hail on the group while driving in one of the last set of hills, with a few dings seen afterwards. Overall it was one of the best Corvette drives all of us had ever been on and all were wishing that they lived closer so that they could enjoy them and the scenery that much more. In the evening the group ate at a downtown Italian restaurant while there also celebrated Bob's birthday too. Another fun but tiring day had by all. Tom's group on the second day of the tours is the last of the group pictures at the bottom.
