Monday, June 9, 2008

Day 45


I had biscuits and gravy for the first time ever. Of course I still had an omelet and hash browns. Feeling full we rolled out at 9 for a later than normal start.

There was no wind. It felt strange to ride in calm weather. We rode through the flint prairie which is the largest unplowed natural prairie in the US. We've also recently ridden through the
Salt marsh wildfowl flyway. 8 million geese plus other species fly through a narrow belt of Kansas on their north south migration. The many treelined rivers and streams are flooded from yesterdays rains.

Along the route we stopped to chat with 2 solo riders and one couple heading west. It is a rare day that we don't meet some other riders. The consensus about Missouri which we should enter tomorrow is mixed. It is going to be very difficult or not.


45/98/16.2/3385

6 comments:

tharrylock said...

Glad you had a good day - keep up the blogging - we're all reading and enjoying it. Dad's inspired to ride his bike so am getting him new tires and plan to get the old bike put back together here by father's day.

tom

Anonymous said...

Happy Trails, Guys! We had snow last night in the passes - can you believe it?? -Janet

Timothy said...

Here's a poem with the right title

Love the funny photos you took!

THE JOURNEY

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

— Mary Oliver, 1986

The Cascades got snow last night. I have to go lie down and imagine a warm dry place.

I think erosion is the strongest force in nature. I always get to June and think SUMMER! Sun! Warm! And then June comes and gives me my annual reminder that summer comes to those who wait- like all good things-- until after the 4th of July.

So your big warm blue skies horizons, your tan lines and rolling countryside are looking mighty fine.

love

T Swimmy

Bill Reeder said...

Very sad day...
I sit here in Detroit on my way home from Harftord Connecticut... sad.. I keep looking at the blog for update, a glimmer of hope and hapiness in a world of delayed flights and awsome bike ride.. and alas.. no, new blog entry.. Pete and Hugh, Where are you,, Are you in Missouri, or in Missry, are the hills bad, do you have tal winds, did you get your last free swiim in Kansas,, are you in hte air with toto and Auntie em...

Looking forward to the Nissouri Breaks..

Bill

Anonymous said...

Yo pops, what is the deal with the white button ups? Looks dapper, but is it really the most comfortable biking gear?

Pete said...

Hi Paavo,

I hear Finn is getting even more teeth.I'll be home soon to see for myself.

The cotton white shirt is cooler than the tech shirt I have. I should get a bow tie for a total cool look however. Miss you all, xoxo