Country Road Take Me Home!

If all continues to go well, and after a few stops along the way to visit my Mother and some friends, I plan to pedal Route 211 East into Warrenton on the afternoon of Friday, August 8. I look forward to seeing my family and friends who have been so supportive of my adventure and sharing my stories and reponding to your blog messages.

Oh Kentucky Hills

Since entering Kentucky on Wednesday, July 23, we have covered over 430 miles of hills and mountains in the past six days! The scenery has been beautiful,, but the terrain is very difficult. One more day in Kentucky and we plan to enter VIRGINIA on Wednesday evening July 30, at Breaks Interstate Park !!!!!!

Some Good Dogs

There are some GOOD dogs in Kentucky. During a rest stop Mark, John and Tom met up with "Angel".

Unbridled Spirit and Unleashed Dogs

Welcome to Kentucky! On Wednesday, July 23, I ferried across the Ohio River from Illinois into the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The trek across Illinois only took two days!

Riding the Levee

Much of the morning of Tuesday, July 22, was spent pedaling atop the levee adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Land of Lincoln and Popeye

OnMonday, July 21, I entered the State of Illinois and the town of Chester. Illinois is known for the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, but Chester is known for the creation of the character Popeye!

The Mississippi River was crossed via a lenghty steel bridge, followed by a climb to the town Courthouse overlooking the river basin. I was awakened during the night by a wind storm and subsequent downpouring of rain.

Welcome relief from the heat

We climbed a long grade to get to Circle B Campgound in Eminence, Missouri, but it was worth the effort. The owner provided us with inner tubes and after a lazy float down the river, returned us to camp via a van service.

Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Gary Hicklin

HITTING 3000 !!!!!!!

Hills, Heat and Humidity

Following a few weeks on the plains, the first full day in Missouri challenged our legs and our climbing skills. This is just the FOOTHILLS, the Ozark mountains are ahead!

Kudos to Kansas / Show Me Something Missouri

On Wednesday, July 16, we departed Kansas and entered Missouri. The small towns of Kansas were very accomodating and each had a community park for camping. Most had a town swimming pool which offered us free use of the showers and the pool. I personally liked Kansas because it has TREES and GRASS, much like home.

The Wizards of Oz meet Humpty Dumpty

On Hwy 39, outside of Walnut, Kansas, the Eastbound Express derailed. We were in our pace line, alternating lead, to counter the Kansas wind. There was an unexpected stop, followed by a convergence of all the laws of physics and the universe, especially the BIG BANG theory! Numbers 4 and 5 in line, Asta and I paid the greatest penalty. Fortunately, our injuries are treatable with a 10# bag of ice, a bottle of Advil and a tube of Neosporine. Our equipement survived, less a little paint and a mirror. The actual event must have looked pretty severe to the oncoming motorist because it prompted a few pre-mature 911 calls.

Oz 2008

My trip across Kansas has been highlighted by new found companions. From the left is Blair, Mark, John and Asta. Blair and Asta are sisters. They began their journey in San Francisco. I met them at Fort Larned on Saturday, July 12. Mark and John started their trip in Arizona. I met them previously in Bazine. We are all Virginia bound!

My Good Friend Baxter

On Friday, July 11, I spent the night at Elaine's Bicycle Oasis, in Bazine, Kansas. While there, I met my good friend Baxter, the last of a litter of ten Golden Retrievers. I also met with two fellow eastbounders, Mark and John, traveling to Virginia from Arizona.

Hello Dorothy

Today, Thursday, July 10, I entered the lovely state of Kansas! For the next 400 miles it is grain fields, grain elevators and lots of wind and sunshine. Hopefully, no tornados!

We are all WINNERS!

On Wednesday, July 9, on my way to Eads, Colorado, I met Jerry and Lynn Lisenby. They are westbound on the Trans-Am route. Jerry mentioned that I could tell my friends that I had met the biggest loser. I thought that was a rather negative comment, since we were out here every day accomplishing personal goals! It turns out that he was a contestant on last season's television show, "The Biggest Loser", and had in fact lost 110 pounds.

And you think I've lost weight!

Sunrise over Southeastern Colorado

The days begin early, around 5:30 a.m., to get in the 70 - 80 daily miles, before the 95+ afternoon heat.

This is Guffey, Colorado !!

The Town of Guffey, Colorado, is the home of John and Colleen, and their cat, who just happens to be the official Mayor. The cat's name is Monster and his story has been published in several tabloids and various media. John will share those with you when you arrive and sit down awhile to discuss life as it was in the 60's. Guffey is a favorite stop for many cyclists, both pedal powered and motorized. The accomodations are simple and very affordable. They include a bona-fide outdoor privy, a shower constructed of garden hose, shower head and cast iron tub with one side carved out, so you do not have to step over! A sleeping shed, complete with a bed on hinges and chains, which lowers from a side wall. And a chain, which is attached to the outside wall, but also attaches to a hook on the inside of the door, to keep the bears from opening you door at night. Now, since the chain is attached to the outside, that means the door does not completely close. But, John advises, " the space is too small for a bear to get through".
Guffey was a great experience and worth the one mile climb, off route! You must see the collection of photos when I return.

All Things Flowing Toward the Atlantic!

Hoosier Pass is the final major, and highest, summit on the Trans-America route. The elevation is 11,542 feet. It is also the last crossing of the Continental Divide. So now all things, including me, are flowing toward the Atlantic. I guess that means it will be all down hill! Yippee!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

FOURTH OF JULY

2000+ MILES PEDALED

ALL ON ONE DAY!

THANKS FOR ALL THE MESSAGES

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

I was welcomed into Colorado on Wednesday afternoon, July 2, by an afternoon thunderstorm / windstorm. I found shelter in a town Post Office for two hours while it passed. I then pedaled onto my destination of Walden, CO to find every hotel and motel posting NO VACANCY. With the help of some local networking, I landed at the home of Tom & Doris. They offered me their living room sleepsofa. That was a better draw than the stranded motorcyclist received. He got a bed in a bedroom, but it was filled with perfumed dolls that chimed, on the hour, throughout the night!

What a difference a day makes!

Behind me are the Teton mountains of Wyoming and now all I see is sagebrush, endless stretches of highway, blazing sun, carabou and wind, wind, wind! One day of riding in the lower Wyoming plains and another day of riding in the upper plateau Wyoming plains.

Quiet little Lander, Wyoming

On Sunday afternoon, Sunday, June 29, I pedaled into the quiet little Wyoming town of Lander. I collapsed under a shade tree and entertained the locals with an afternoon of snoring, before setting up my tent. I pedaled over to the local pool and shower, then ate dinner and returned around 8:00 p.m. for a quiet evening and early bedtime. However, about 50 yards from my tent was Lander's version of the Grateful Dead! They actually sounded O.K., although I did leave my hearing aids at home.

There is still snow here!

Togwotee Pass accomplished! Just one more major Pass ahead, Hoosier Pass, Colorado, 11, 542 feet!

The GRAND Tetons!

After a week with Lise, I left Jackson Hole on Saturday, June 28, and began pedaling East again. I actually saw Lise's plane take-off from the Jackson Airport on my way out of town. I crossed the second highest summit on the Trans-Am route, Togwotee Pass, about 10,000 feet elevation.