Iron Horse Saloon...THE Place to Be During Daytona Bike Week!

If you've been to Daytona, you have been to the Iron Horse Saloon, right? Located on Route 1 in Ormond with all the other temporary bars, it's where all the action is.

So much to see and do. We saw Bad Company and also David Allan Coe, who I thought was great.  We talked to many people who said 'he sucks, he's an ass'.  The first person who said it, I thought...wow, relax dude, he's just a singer...but when more than a handful of people (bartenders and locals) say he blows, chances are he does.  Something about cancelling all the time, scared of rain...I don't know...but his music was good and he was there when he was supposed to be the night we were there. So....


They also have celebrity appearances...this year was Opie from Sons of Anarchy who I SO wanted to go see but my friends who waited four hours for me to see Tigs and Bobby in Boston said 'No way.'  Buncha bitches. lol

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of places to eat inside...well I'm really not, but there must be.  We were there to get our drink on and there was plenty of that. Lots of souvenirs though and if you buy their mug you get an hour of free beer everyday from 4pm - 5pm.

They do wheely-spinny thingies in here...a/k/a the 'burn-out' pit. Didn't get to see one. Sad face. 

I should probably know why the seat is on the tank, and why there are springs sticking out...but I don't. Looks painful. I don't get it.

Here you could throw an axe and imagine a special someone's face on the board. Healing. 

When I went to Spring Break in Daytona...many moons ago...the sponsor was Bud Light and Trojans. Now it's aspirins and antacids. My, how times have changed.

Packed lot

 

Night time was even more fun...cah-razy people here

View from balcony is a fave...get to watch the bikes comin' and goin'

Two of the beautiful patrons ;)

Wall of death...

Rest of the evening was a bit of a blur so no pics but it sure was a good ole time. In fact, so much fun, we were almost kicked out of our relatives house for mis-behaving. Now that's a good night...

Quiet Sanctuary...and FREE Beer...during Daytona Bike Week?

What?? Peace and quiet, and free beer in Daytona, you say?? Oh yes, and we found it.  Well...Ormond actually, but same place, isn't it?

Ormond Crab House is located on US 1 but easy to miss...we actually drove right past and made a quick u-turn to check it out.

I think most riders concentrate on the Statey parked in the median and don't even see it. Here's a hint...the cop car is empty. We fell for it every time!



Being from New England, really wasn't sure how Florida seafood would compare but figured we'd enjoy a beer and sit by the water...can't go wrong with that.

Ordered beer from the owner, stand pictured below....asked how much...he said. Nothin'! Never charge for beer...we just ask for a donation to keep the place running.  Well, alright...we found our new spot.  I think we donated more than the solo cup of beer was worth but the gesture was very kind and he was a great guy...happy to help keep the place afloat.

They were offering oyster shooters for $1. Never had 'em before....and probably never will again. Trying to expand my life and experience new things...never needed to try these. I can confidently say oysters will not be a part of my new life. My friend loved them though...and I think they may have worked their magic on her cuz she had a nice little night for herself.  :)

I did like the steamers though...think I might have liked them even more than New England Steamers. Also had some delicious crab dip and bought extra to take back to house. Yummy.

Beautiful spot on the Intracoastal Waterway....with great people and delicious food. Highly recommend!

Main Street at Night - Daytona BikeWeek

So off to Daytona and I forget my camera...my laptop...my chargers.  All were sitting up in my office packed nice and neatly, waiting for me.  Realized this too far from home. Had to borrow my mom's not so great Walmart camera. And I have lost my photographer, which blows...so keep in mind. Pics kinda suck. I need my photographer back, don't you agree? I do.

First night, we were off to Main Street, and Iron Gate was our first stop.

Country girl, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me....(that's Luke Bryan singing)

  

A friendly reminder from your lovely bartenders

 The girls at Froggy's do whatever you want for tips, or so it seemed.

Main Street was hopping for a Tuesday night

 

Drank me lotsa 'dis...ugh

From the sidelines...

 Soda lines really weren't long :)

More sidelines...lost my driver too so this is what I do for now...watch from the sides

Graffiti everywhere...thought this was funny, tho I have no idea what it means

 

Bikers are a sensitive crowd...he brought his Eeyore.  No bother.

Animal! MahnaMahna....

 Lotsa food for hungry bikers...

Crowddddded

She created quite a stir...

I will leave you with this photo...sorry for the quality. Dude on your back seat cruising down Main Street...yes or no??

Sturgis, Day Two...Four Presidents, Two Monuments, One Saloon

Day two found us up and out early, trying to beat the crowds and the heat. Man, it is hot out there. Sizzling!

Because we were only in Sturgis for 3 nights, we had to do the quick version of all there is to see, so we crammed a lot in to the day.

First stop was Mt. Rushmore. Husband's friend told him to save the $11 admission fee because the views are just as good driving around the park.  Driving up to the park, you do get quite a view, but seriously, when will we be back to Mt. Rushmore...if ever. Cough up the dough, ya cheap-o.

  Got to gate and was pleasantly surprised to see that admission for all bikes was discounted to $5.00. Went inside, and it was very crowded and hot.

Plenty of tours and trails to hike but we had our 'Chevy Chase' moment, said hello to George, Thomas, Theodore and Abraham and moved on.

Out in the parking lot, found this Patriotic bike under America's 'Shrine of Democracy'...seriously, how awesome is this? We almost walked right past it.

From Mount Rushmore we drove over to Custer State Park, roads were awesome...incredible views, bridges, tunnels...

 

Plenty of turns and windy roads...

 

Husband's friend was right though (shhh...don't tell him I said so), there really are amazing views from so many different areas.  Probably could skip the admission to park. So much better on the road, away from the crowds.

 

While we were at this viewing area below, we heard a lot of sirens, saw several response vehicles and an ambulance speed by.

Soon, the life flight helicopter showed up and we all thought the worst. Said a silent prayer and hoped for the best...

Just a mile down the road, we ran into the accident and the road was closed. While we were waiting, we heard several stories...a van hit a bike, a jeep hit a bike, a jeep hit another car...not sure what happened, but a woman who was on the scene said everyone was thankfully okay. I'm sure by the end of the line they were hearing something along the lines of 'a bear ate a biker'.

Road opened and we passed the vehicles...looked like cars. No jeep, no van, no bikes.

Left the Monument and drove off to Custer State Park

Another nice ride...smooth, windy roads. Think we paid $10 admission for the bike, cars were $15. Made our  way to Wildlife Loop Road hoping to see some buffalo

Eyes were peeled but no luck...saw several antelope and deer and were starting to get discouraged until we came over the hill and saw this incredible scene.

Had to drive up this dirt road to get to them...gravel and dusty, but it was worth it.

An even better surprise was ahead...wish I had brought some carrots or something.

These guys were NOT afraid of the bikes, they were not moving...

From Wildlife Loop, we drove over to Needles Highway...still in Custer Park. 

Highway is a must-do, if you are in the area. Tons of rock formations, hairpin turns, and tunnels.

Great photo-ops and scenic overlooks

After the highway, we decided to head back and saw a sign for Crazy Horse. Had kind of decided I did not want to see it because I did as a kid and remember not being too impressed with the 'hole in the rock'.  It being only 8 miles from where we left the park, it was another moment of 'when will be here again, let's do it'. So we did...

 

Driving up to the monument, you can see the rock just as good as you can see it from within the park. At the gate, the sign indicated admission was $10 each...aw, hell no, $20 bucks to look at an incomplete rock?

The attendant told us it was 50% off for bikes so we did it...and gotta say, even that was too much. I understand the historical significance behind it, and do not mean any disrespect, but was very surprised to see the formation has not changed all that much from the 1980s when I last there.  Still a hole in the rock. Although the Visitor Center was beautiful and had some interesting pieces, clean bathrooms and a small cafe. Passing on it next time...

Driving home, a storm came from out of nowhere. Dark clouds rolled in, and bolts of lightening were lighting up the skies. I was petrified and not at all reassured that I 'was grounded' because of the rubber tires. Thankfully, we came across the Silver Dollar Saloon and pulled in for a few quick ones...along with several other bikers caught in the storm. Beers were cheap, staff was fun...

Thus ends our day of nature...Day three...bring on the bars!