A local gent at breakfast told us "Don't worry, you're heading east". What the hell was he looking at?
Anybody could see that it wasn't going to rain.
Well, it turned out that the local sitting in a cafe booth, sipping his third cup of coffee, had a better crystal ball than the Weather Channel: no rain.
Crossed this stream running through the lush country side. (Sorry, Kyle, didn't see any steelhead trout)
As we have traveled through Kansas, the corn fields have been gradually taking their place along side the wheat. This fairly remote part of the country that nobody thinks too much about is quietly going about the business of putting bread in our toasters, corn-fed beef on our barbeque grills, and even ethanol in our fuel tanks.
New corn plantings
The UK guys are continually being shocked by the gun situation in the U.S. In Texas, we encountered a "check your guns" sign more than once when entering business establishments. I tried to tell them that this was a good thing but they didn't seem to be buying it.
Sign on door of our McPherson Holiday Inn Express today
While there is not the preponderance of cattle ranching in Kansas that there was in Texas and Oklahoma, we still see a good deal of livestock here. All of this activity raises an interesting issue for us riders. We are pedaling tens of thousands of revolutions over the same highways that are hauling thousands of heads cattle every day. What do you think our tires are picking up and depositing on the bike? It is important that we try to keep our frame-mounted water bottles as clean, as possible.
On the ride to Dalhart, TX five days ago, I became quite weak during the last two hours of the ride. There were the obvious reasons: 96 miles of heat and headwind following the 109 mile climbing push to Tucumcari. But I felt there was more to the story. Since that day, I have amped up my daily calorie intake by 800-1000 and have felt much better.
As I was riding today and looking out at a passing freight train, the words from the Arlo Guthrie song, City of New Orleans, kept ringing through my head:
Good morning, America, how are you
Don't you know me, I'm your native son
Total Miles: 65 Total Vertical Climb: 1000 ft.
As I was riding today and looking out at a passing freight train, the words from the Arlo Guthrie song, City of New Orleans, kept ringing through my head:
Good morning, America, how are you
Don't you know me, I'm your native son
Total Miles: 65 Total Vertical Climb: 1000 ft.
Kansas looks like the green-green grass of home. I'm with the guys from the UK, knowing people are packing puts an edge on things. Just don't ruffle any feathers. Here's to a good riding day tomorrow. Love you, Diana
ReplyDeleteDoes it feel like you gone 500 miles when the day is done?
ReplyDeleteThat song will now be stuck in my head the rest of the night!!
Best Wishes!
Craig P.
think we need that check your weapons sign back in the hood..but who wants to be brave enough to hang one up...might get shot doing it!...getting closer every day brother...you must be starting to get the strong aroma of "mind-blowing accomplishment and I can kick-ass at any age!"..I know this aroma is most familiar to you...you wear it well like nobody else I know!...just keep peddling dear brother..."One small step for mankind...and just another typical step for Mike Karwowski"...love ya Mike
ReplyDeleteLast night I was having a chat with my great gran (Aubrii who is three yrs old) about your journey. I asked her, "Did you know you have a cousin who is going a very long way across the whole country?" I explained that he goes all day from early in the morning til late in the day. I continued that he has to stay in a hotel and the next day and etc., etc., and he is riding a bicycle. "Does he have a car?" "Yes, honey, he does." After pondering that for a moment, she looked up at me with her big blue eyes and asked, "well, is he growed?" I told her that you do look "growed" but not really because inside you are a young boy and that you do many things that most do not like climb mountains and run long distances. She was duly impressed as are we all and I can't wait to see what is on your next horizon. But, ah, michael carolus, whatever it is and wherever you go, may you never, never ever be, "growed". You are our Peter Pan and I think you should call your bike Tinkerbell or maybe Captain Hook, depending up daily obstacles encountered along your way and whatever your fancy may be...love
ReplyDeleteJust on the chance that it will help you further, I have increased my calorie intake too. It is fascinating having you as a reporter and participant in your own adventure. Thanks for taking the extra time to keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteRichard
Good thing you've got that neon NRA sticker on your helmet.....smart thinking, Miguel! It would seem that with all the cycling, even when you're off the bike the scenery must be rolling through your head as if you were still on the bike. That, along with Arlo Guthrie, of course. Keep up the fine bikin; & writin'!
ReplyDeletePat W