size bed, a pull-out sofa and adequate floor space
for two additional air mattresses for two guests. I
said I would never, ever camp again—but this was
not camping. It was the perfect place for some-
one like me--there is air conditioning, a mi-
crowave, refrigerator, coffee maker, a private
bathroom, HOT water, and a plug-in for my hair-
dryer. The park has laundry facilities, a shower
house, a convenience store, bike wash area, and a
patio where $2 beer is sold and evening enter-
tainment is provided. (Pizza Hut will even deliver
here.) The park is within walking distance of the
downtown attractions including the Broken Spoke,
One-Eyed Jacks, the Oasis Lounge, and the end-
less vendors on Lazelle Street. One of the most
valuable services offered to Mt. Rodney guests, in
my opinion, is the shuttle service to and from
downtown. If you prefer not to walk but would like
to avoid the ridiculous traffic, parking nightmares,
I’m not sure which. The campground that had been now. While the Rally will never live up to the “Leg-
and/or possibility of a citation for having too much
portrayed as an attractive biker haven was actually a end,” and there is more police presence than there
fun, the shuttle picks you up at the park, delivers
backyard with 10 x 10 squares that abutted a train is debauchery, it’s a week of respite and fun spent
you downtown and brings you back again. Mt.
track. How quaint. (Have I mentioned how much I with friends and like-minded people. The ride to and
Rodney states the only requirement they have is
hate camping?) For the next few days, we experi- from Sturgis is worth it all. There is nothing better, in
“Pull in, Park, and Party.”
enced the joys of sleeping, showering, and enjoy- my opinion, than riding 1800 miles behind my hus-
As another side note, if you are wondering
ing all other activities of vacation in a public forum. band, no matter what the destination or the riding
how or why the park chose Mt. “Rodney,” as its
I realize that some people find public restrooms, conditions. Experience, however, has taught us how
name, take a look at the photos of owner Doug
group showers, and performing activities of vaca- to be much sophisticated in our planning and prepa-
Clark. Rodney Dangerfield apparently had a twin.
tion in a tent perfectly acceptable. I am not one of ration for trips like this. We ship my cool, sexy clothes
The resemblance is remarkable, especially when
those people. I gave up on looking good and settled and hair dryer to our destination prior to leaving
he says, “I get no respect.”
for looking clean. I like to enjoy the activities of va- home and ship it all back with the souvenirs when
We genuinely enjoyed our stay at Mt. Rodney.
cation in a bed. To better explain my views on we are ready to leave so that we have room in the
Everything we wanted or needed was available to
camping, I consider Motel-6 to be primitive. To saddle bags for true necessities. But most impor-
us, and owners Doug and J.D. Lawson treated us
quote my favorite comedian, Ron White, I wouldn’t tantly, we choose our accommodations carefully. I
with true South Dakotan hospitality. We reminisced
go camping if I was……CAMPING! (Remember, I no longer delude myself into thinking that I can live in
about our past trips to Sturgis and our previous
chose to bring a hair dryer on this trip rather than a tent for a week and have a good time doing it.
camping experiences, and we came to the conclu-
chaps.) The saying, “when Mama ain’t happy, ain’t This year, compliments of Wide Open, we
sion: “Why would anyone stay anywhere else?” Mt.
nobody happy” would be quite appropriate here. stayed at Mt. Rodney RV and Camping Park. Mt.
Rodney offers every amenity and comfort that a
It wasn’t all bad though. We did manage to have Rodney is a 25-acre park located about a block
traveler could want or need; the hospitality is un-
some fun, but themystique of Sturgis was some- and a half from Downtown Sturgis. It is a fenced,
matched, the park is secure; and the location could
what dampened (literally) by the reality of the secure park designed to accommodate coaches
not be more convenient. There is truly no reason
cool temperature, rain, and sleeping conditions. I with trailers attached; all 140+ sites are 30 feet
to stay anywhere else. It’s never too early to make
did not see a lot of debauchery. I did see a lot of wide. Amenities offered with RV sites include
plans or reservations for next year’s 70th Annual
mud. I said I would never go back. I also said I sewage, water, 20/30/50 amp service, and WiFi.
Sturgis Rally. Mt. Rodney offers Early Bird Specials (the
would never, ever, camp again. Tent camping is allowed on RV sites. Catered tent
week before the rally) and a Late Bird Special (last 3
That threat proved to be empty. I have gone camping, which includes a 12 x 12 tent with air
days of the rally, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Reser-
back three more times. We just returned from the mattress, fan, light, plug-in, and ice chest is also
vations can be made online at http://www.mtrod-
69th Rally a few weeks ago. No longer a Sturgis vir- available (Ladies, note the “plug-in.”) We stayed
ney.com/reservations.html. For more information,
gin, my expectations of the rally are more realistic in a Caddy Shack, which is a 6-man RV with a full-
phone 888-878-9971.
50 Wide Open
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