85 miles and 200 feet of climbing. The weather forecast was correct. We had 10 mph wind on our nose all day long. Could have been worse, but anytime you have to go head to head with the wind it can be tough. It is just relentless and never gives you a break, especially out here on the plains. The skies were clear and sunny and it got quite warm in the p.m.. I was on the road for 7 ½ hours, on the bike for approx. 6 ½ hours and averaged 13 mph. Leaving Dodge there was a “scenic” overlook where you could view the Dodge City cattle “processing” operation. They butcher 6000 head of cattle 7 days a week at this one facility. Now that is a lot of Big Mac’s. Today we transitioned from the barren plains to green farm land with some trees. In many respects it reminded me of riding at home out in Hampton Twp and Munger. There are not nearly as many people living in the area though. Lots of big open spaces with miles between homes. Stopped at a small museum and saw a replica of the sod houses the original settlers built and lived in. Up the road was Pawnee Rock the ½ point between St. Louis, Missouri and Santa Fe, NM on the Santa Fe Trail. I spent a lot of time thinking about what life must have been like for those hardy pioneers. We have two more days of riding in KS. Tomorrow we have a big mileage day (129) to Abilene.
We have been on the road now for 2 weeks. I have logged 1497 miles. I took a look at the map when we got in and was quite surprised to see how far we have come. The days are all a blur. It is a very hectic routine we are following. When I am done it will take some time to process everything I have done. No time to do it now though as we are always pressing on! Boy, life is good!!!
In the town of Spearville there is a huge wind mill farm. They seem to stretch on for miles. It is really quite a site.
There are no Big Mac's being eaten here (yet). When we ate dinner tonight (I served portabella mushroom ravioli with vodka sause, baked sweet potatoes, & corn on the cob) Jack started eating and said "and Uncle Jay thought we wouldn't be earing good when he was gone!". I asked him is he thought we were in fact eating good and he said yes, there was only one meal that he was "not a fan of". That was the leftovers I brought home from the "Grandma Shower". I'm feeling pretty good but the pressure is on to keep it up for the next 3 weeks!
ReplyDeleteLeisa
like the wind mill......i drive by a private one (on my bike) every day...;..helps me judge where the wind is coming from (cuz it always feels like its in my face) ...........i have officially joined the "my dad is cooler/tougher then your dad" club!!!..........keep it up show those small guys us big mother F'ers can do it 2!
ReplyDeleteGo dad go!! Again, you are awesome!! Or according to Garrett "So totally awesome!"
ReplyDeleteMom: keep up the good work, you can doooo it!
Jared: watch your mouth and I agree that we do have the coolest/toughest dad ever.
Mmmmm cow - while are talking menus we had dad's pizza with vegetarian sausage on it tonight, certainly was tasty, and no cows or pigs were slaughtered to make our pizza possible. Although not as good as the real deal dad's pizza.
You have made me the mother that I am with your encouraging words. Keep up the great work!! Your neice hit her first over the fence homerun of her high school career. However, they lost 6 - 7 and she had more strikeouts then the opposing pitcher. Go figure!! No walks, either!! Oh well, some good Life lessons, I guess!
ReplyDeleteOnly two more days in JAY Hawk country. Don't fall asleep from the boredom. Living in Kansas has to be like having a white car and parking it in a lot of white cars....darn which hill is my house on. Glad you're enjoying the adventure. Joe and I look forward to your daily update.
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