Monday, July 22, 2013
A Tail of Two Centuries
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Thankful for the cloud cover
JOE
Meet Joe. Solo cyclist from Baltimore. He snuck up on us one day, as if he just appeared out of thin air! We stopped for lunch at a gas station and he told us about his trip and how he averages 100 miles a day!! We parted ways only to be passed by him a few minutes later down the road. We didn't think we'd see him again but were in awe of his physical ability and positive outlook.
We crossed paths again in Newton, KS where he showed us his superb dance moves and joined our group for a bit. He rode with us for 2 days and then parted ways after Larned, Kansas. Good luck to you, Joe!!
James the cowboy
In Sterling, Kansas, Joe and I (solo cyclist from Baltimore) went to get some dinner. We stopped at a gas station and saw a guy pull up on his horse!! We got to chatting and invited him to the lake for dinner. He told us all stories about trapping coyotes, riding bulls in the rodeo, ranching, and all things country. As we spend time in these small towns, we're getting glimpses of a different life, a slower pace, a different world. After visiting with James, I think we all gained a renewed appreciation for the small town farmer, the difficulties they face, and the importance they have to our food system.
Bodies are amazing
And now for the amazing action shot Liz captured of me drinking gatorade.....
Family Reunion
It's funny for my Kansas family to hear reactions from non-Kansans. Jeannay asked Holly if she hung out with her cows!
Part of the WIchita clan: Aunt Chris, Aunt Janice, Cassie, Carly, Hannah, Bubbles (woof!) |
Katie & Aunt Debbie in Newton |
Grandma Julie in Ellis |
Holly's garage |
Hayden |
Holly showing off her deer. |
Aunt Doris |
Holly's chickens |
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Cities on our route
KANSAS
-Newton
-Heston
-Buhler
-Medora
-Nickerson
-Larned = we are here now! It was a long, straight, 60 mile ride with no amenities, but we made it (from Nickerson)...and we were welcomed into the city with free access into the pool! Thank you so much, Larned! They've got tunes playing, and I'm digging it! The girls are planning on riding another 50 miles or so to Bazine. The guys may stay behind...who knows, the day is still young.
-Rush Center
-Nekoma
-Alexander
-Bazine
-Ness City
-Beeler
-Dighton
-Scott City
-Leoti
-Selkirk
-Tribune
COLORADO
-Towner
-Sheridan Lake
-Brandon
-Chivington
-Eads
-Haswell
-Arlington
-Sugar City
-Ordway
-Crowley
-Olney Springs
-Boone
-Pueblo
-Wetmore
-Florence
-Brookside
-Lincoln Park
-Canon City
-Hartsel
-Fairplay
-Alma
-Breckenridge
-Frisco
-Silverthorne
-Heeney
-Kremmling
-Parshall
-Hot Sulphur Springs
-Rand
-Walden
-Cowdrey
WYOMING
-Riverside
-Saratoga
-Walcott
-Sinclair
-Rawlins
-Lamont
-Muddy Gap
-Jeffrey City
-Sweetwater Station
-Lander
-Fort Washakie
-Crowheart
-Dubois
-Moran Junction
-Colter Bay Village
-Grant Village
-Old Faithful
-Madison
MONTANA
-West Yellowstone
-Cameron
-Ennis
-Virginia City
-Nevada City
-Alder
-Laurin
-Sheridan
-Twin Bridges
-Dillon
-Jackson
-Wisdom
-Sula
-Darby
-Hamilton
-Victor
-Florence
-Lolo and Lolo Hot Springs
-Missoula
**More than likely, we'll be getting off of the Trans America ACA maps after Missoula. As of now, we plan on getting the Lewis and Clark ACA maps, which will take us through Portland, OR (instead of Astoria, OR). However, until that becomes a reality, here's our planned route after Missoula.
IDAHO
-Lowell
-Syringa
-Kooskia
-Stites
-Harpster
-Grangeville
-White Bird
-Riggins
-Polluck
-New Meadows
-Tamarack
-Council
-Cambridge
OREGON
-Oxbow
-Richland
-Baker City
-Austin Junction
-Prarie City
-John Day
-Mount Vernon
-Dayville
-Mitchell
-Prineville
-Powell Butte
-Redmond
-Sisters
-McKenzie Bridge
-Blue River
-Finn Rock
-Nimrod
-Vida
-Leaburg
-Walterville
-Eugene
-Coburg
-Harrisburg
-Corvallis
-Lewisburg
-Adair Village
-Monmouth
-Clow Corner
-Buell
-Fort Hill
-Grand Ronde
-Boyer
-Rose Lodge
-Neskowin
-Okay, I'm tired of writing potential cities...you get the idea. Although, I'm really sure we'll be getting a new route after Missoula, MT. We'll keep you in the loop.
Here's where the girls are right now. We woke up around 5am to avoid the hot Kansas heat. The boys preferred sleep...We should see them in a few hours or so. Silly thing happened this morning when they were sleeping and right before we were leaving: the sprinklers where we were camping went off...the boys awoke abruptly and sleepily tried to solve the problem. Oh yea, and the Arkansas River is properly pronounced the "R Kansas" River...We are in Kansas after all.