Mon, 24 Jul 2006
Day 36
TAZ: It's Monday, 7-24-06. We've made it Breckenridge, CO. One of the big highlights of our trip. We are taking a couple of days off here. We skipped a day off last week so we could have an extra one here. We are staying with a friend of a friend. Basil from Massanutten gave us the name and # of his friend, Dave Leopold. He and his family have more than welcomed us into their home. They are so cool. They have lived here in Breck for 6 yrs after living back east and love it here. They've been very helpful in helping us find our way around town and letting us stay here and feeding us too. They didn't even know us! Dave, Jan and their boys- David, Michael, and little Colten are an amazing family. I am on their computer right now.
Saturday we rode from Florence to Guffey, CO. It was only like 40 miles. We stopped in Canon City at a Fiddle Festival and then started the climb up. Slowly climbing we went from around 5000ft to 8000ft in Guffey. Guffey was a cool little town. It was almost a ghost town. There was a bar, a restaurant, and this place that was sort of a rustic B&B. Bill was there to welcome us. We stayed in these cool little huts. We wanted to stick around the next day and check out the museum but we knew we were going to have a long day getting to Breck. We'll go back one day.
We rode into Breck by going over Hoosier Pass ( over 11,000ft). We were fearful of the climb but it turned out to be way easier than anything we've done back east. Then coming down we didn't get nearly the high speed we did back home. The scene at the top was so amazing. We have taken so many pictures in the past few days. We can't wait to get them back to you!!
On yesterday's ride, which was a 67 miler, we saw a herd of antelope. They were mingling with some cows in a wide open field near Hartsel. We also woke up to 40 degree temps on our first day in the mountains. We put on nearly every stitch of clothing we had and still froze for the first ten miles. Then little by little we started peeling stuff off. The afternoon temps got up to the mid 80's. This was a welcome change from Kansas!
Today was similar weather. An afternoon thunder shower came while we were out exploring town. We all love this town! Everything we love to do is here! The mountains surrounding the area are beautiful! There are bikers everywhere.
TAZ: It's Monday, 7-24-06. We've made it Breckenridge, CO. One of the big highlights of our trip. We are taking a couple of days off here. We skipped a day off last week so we could have an extra one here. We are staying with a friend of a friend. Basil from Massanutten gave us the name and # of his friend, Dave Leopold. He and his family have more than welcomed us into their home. They are so cool. They have lived here in Breck for 6 yrs after living back east and love it here. They've been very helpful in helping us find our way around town and letting us stay here and feeding us too. They didn't even know us! Dave, Jan and their boys- David, Michael, and little Colten are an amazing family. I am on their computer right now.
Saturday we rode from Florence to Guffey, CO. It was only like 40 miles. We stopped in Canon City at a Fiddle Festival and then started the climb up. Slowly climbing we went from around 5000ft to 8000ft in Guffey. Guffey was a cool little town. It was almost a ghost town. There was a bar, a restaurant, and this place that was sort of a rustic B&B. Bill was there to welcome us. We stayed in these cool little huts. We wanted to stick around the next day and check out the museum but we knew we were going to have a long day getting to Breck. We'll go back one day.
We rode into Breck by going over Hoosier Pass ( over 11,000ft). We were fearful of the climb but it turned out to be way easier than anything we've done back east. Then coming down we didn't get nearly the high speed we did back home. The scene at the top was so amazing. We have taken so many pictures in the past few days. We can't wait to get them back to you!!
On yesterday's ride, which was a 67 miler, we saw a herd of antelope. They were mingling with some cows in a wide open field near Hartsel. We also woke up to 40 degree temps on our first day in the mountains. We put on nearly every stitch of clothing we had and still froze for the first ten miles. Then little by little we started peeling stuff off. The afternoon temps got up to the mid 80's. This was a welcome change from Kansas!
Today was similar weather. An afternoon thunder shower came while we were out exploring town. We all love this town! Everything we love to do is here! The mountains surrounding the area are beautiful! There are bikers everywhere.
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 8:21 PM EDT
Updated: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 10:14 PM EDT
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Updated: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 10:14 PM EDT
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Thu, 20 Jul 2006
Day 32
TAZ: Well today we woke up in Eads, CO (pronounced Eeds) to something of a tailwind!! Thanks for praying for us!! We did 60 miles by 10:30 this morning. Ate lunch and now are waiting for the heat to die down a little so we can get 30 couple more in this afternoon and get to Boone, CO. Hopefully the wind will hang with us the rest of the day. Today has been flatter and more open than anything we saw in KS. This is true prairie stuff. We are around 4250ft elevation. By the weekend we should be around 9000. The towns can be seen a half hour before we reach them, or at least their grain elevator can be seen. We met some east bounders today that say we'll start to be able to see the Rockies tomorrow. We are excited about that. The air is getting drier everyday. Last night some of the courthouse lawn sprinklers came on after we put up our tents but by 4am our tents and our clothes that we had hung out were dry! We are planning an under 30 mile day tomorrow to Pueblo as a rest/tire change day. We've got some tires coming into a shop there from Brian at Serfas. Thanks Brian!
Also, if you haven't noticed we've got a new link on the main page to more photos. We are putting on as many as will fit. We may have to add another link later. Tomorrow while on our rest day we will try to make it to Walmart to get more photos to send back home. I have to admit with the heat we've not taken as many. You kind of forget the camera sometimes. We're making up for it now though!
We are all staying healthy for the most part. My age is showing a little. These flat rides have been giving my elbows, especially the right, one fits. Some kind of tendinitis something I'm sure because if I take some ibuprofen before riding it's fine. Dustin slightly strained a leg muscle playing on the diving board at one of the pools but also responds to ibuprofen. Jimmy just complains of his boney rump on this flat land and rough roads.
I want to say thanks to all of you calling us and emailing us. We've been looking forward to ducking into the libraries on these hot days. Hearing from home and about home always brings smiles.
TAZ: Well today we woke up in Eads, CO (pronounced Eeds) to something of a tailwind!! Thanks for praying for us!! We did 60 miles by 10:30 this morning. Ate lunch and now are waiting for the heat to die down a little so we can get 30 couple more in this afternoon and get to Boone, CO. Hopefully the wind will hang with us the rest of the day. Today has been flatter and more open than anything we saw in KS. This is true prairie stuff. We are around 4250ft elevation. By the weekend we should be around 9000. The towns can be seen a half hour before we reach them, or at least their grain elevator can be seen. We met some east bounders today that say we'll start to be able to see the Rockies tomorrow. We are excited about that. The air is getting drier everyday. Last night some of the courthouse lawn sprinklers came on after we put up our tents but by 4am our tents and our clothes that we had hung out were dry! We are planning an under 30 mile day tomorrow to Pueblo as a rest/tire change day. We've got some tires coming into a shop there from Brian at Serfas. Thanks Brian!
Also, if you haven't noticed we've got a new link on the main page to more photos. We are putting on as many as will fit. We may have to add another link later. Tomorrow while on our rest day we will try to make it to Walmart to get more photos to send back home. I have to admit with the heat we've not taken as many. You kind of forget the camera sometimes. We're making up for it now though!
We are all staying healthy for the most part. My age is showing a little. These flat rides have been giving my elbows, especially the right, one fits. Some kind of tendinitis something I'm sure because if I take some ibuprofen before riding it's fine. Dustin slightly strained a leg muscle playing on the diving board at one of the pools but also responds to ibuprofen. Jimmy just complains of his boney rump on this flat land and rough roads.
I want to say thanks to all of you calling us and emailing us. We've been looking forward to ducking into the libraries on these hot days. Hearing from home and about home always brings smiles.
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 4:52 PM EDT
Updated: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 10:27 PM EDT
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Updated: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 10:27 PM EDT
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Wed, 19 Jul 2006
ClICK ON "More Photos" ON THE MAIN PAGE TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS!
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 10:15 PM EDT
Updated: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 11:01 PM EDT
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Updated: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 11:01 PM EDT
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Day 31
Dustin: After waking up from a 15 hour sleep we decided that the eastward winds were not going to stop. So, we woke up and hit the road. Not having a good breakfast this morning really made me suffer throughout the day. Battling ferocious headwinds all day was another task that we had to over come. During our 50 mile ride we saw our first prairie dogs, jack rabbits, and past the Welcome to Colorado sign!!!! Only 56 miles for today but with the wind 56 miles feels like a great accomplishment. Its tough to find internet in these small towns but your emails keep us pedaling!
To my little cousin Sammy-
Hey bud,
Hope that you are having an awesome summer. I have now gone through 6 states and only a few more to go. Tell the family I said hello and maybe we can come to Pa when I get back home!
Dustin: After waking up from a 15 hour sleep we decided that the eastward winds were not going to stop. So, we woke up and hit the road. Not having a good breakfast this morning really made me suffer throughout the day. Battling ferocious headwinds all day was another task that we had to over come. During our 50 mile ride we saw our first prairie dogs, jack rabbits, and past the Welcome to Colorado sign!!!! Only 56 miles for today but with the wind 56 miles feels like a great accomplishment. Its tough to find internet in these small towns but your emails keep us pedaling!
To my little cousin Sammy-
Hey bud,
Hope that you are having an awesome summer. I have now gone through 6 states and only a few more to go. Tell the family I said hello and maybe we can come to Pa when I get back home!
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 6:28 PM EDT
Updated: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:17 PM EDT
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Updated: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:17 PM EDT
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Tue, 18 Jul 2006
Day 30
Jimmy: Mile 1,935
As Taz said pedaling through the crazy heat and head-winds of Kansas began to get discouraging, so we spent a relaxing day at the Dighton pool, hanging out with our trail friend Meghan from Wales and napping in the shade under a pavilion. Around 3 AM this morning we jumped on our bikes with headlamps strapped to our helmets and hit the road in the dark. We crossed into our second new time zone and pushed on to Tribune, our last Kansas town before we will cross the CO border. We wanted to reach CO today but as other bikers on the trail have admitted Kansas, though flat, is not as easy as you may think. So with over 50 miles to the next town and just short of the CO line we will catch up on some rest and continue with our ‘headlamp’ adventures!
We are excited to cross the emptiness of eastern CO and see the Rocky Mountains. To us, it means cooler temperatures, hills that will get our sore behinds up off the saddle, and yet more of our country's landscape and people to experience.
PS. We saw a US map in a gas station this morning...MAN we have covered some ground!
Jimmy: Mile 1,935
As Taz said pedaling through the crazy heat and head-winds of Kansas began to get discouraging, so we spent a relaxing day at the Dighton pool, hanging out with our trail friend Meghan from Wales and napping in the shade under a pavilion. Around 3 AM this morning we jumped on our bikes with headlamps strapped to our helmets and hit the road in the dark. We crossed into our second new time zone and pushed on to Tribune, our last Kansas town before we will cross the CO border. We wanted to reach CO today but as other bikers on the trail have admitted Kansas, though flat, is not as easy as you may think. So with over 50 miles to the next town and just short of the CO line we will catch up on some rest and continue with our ‘headlamp’ adventures!
We are excited to cross the emptiness of eastern CO and see the Rocky Mountains. To us, it means cooler temperatures, hills that will get our sore behinds up off the saddle, and yet more of our country's landscape and people to experience.
PS. We saw a US map in a gas station this morning...MAN we have covered some ground!
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 12:02 PM EDT
Updated: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 9:49 PM EDT
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Updated: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 9:49 PM EDT
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Mon, 17 Jul 2006
Day 29
Taz: Today we are spending the day in Dighton, KS. We rode 32 miles this morning in hard, hot winds. We are going to try something new today. If it works we'll tell you all about it in the next blog.
The 105 degree heat and the wind has slowed our progress getting to Colorado, but we are still chipping away at it. Someone told us that we are going to run into 60 degree highs next week in the mtns. We are looking forward to seeing some new wildlife too. Yesterday we saw a couple of badgers, the hawks are getting bigger, and today we are pretty sure we saw a mule deer out in this thicket on the plains.
Yesterday we met a woman that we've been "chasing" since before the trip started. The "Princess of Whales", Meagan. She is very interesting and we enjoyed talking to her. We chatted while sipping on milkshakes in Ness City, KS yesterday.
Our buddy Preacher Bill is now a couple days behind us but still hanging in there. We check on him almost nightly and give him the scoop on what's ahead for him.
The other guy we met back at the KY/VA border, Ian is still on the trail as far as we know. We've heard from him once or twice on email. We left some signs to him cheering him on. Since we left the truck it's been harder to do. We left one for Bill and Ian the other day in the middle of a 40 mile stretch of nothing. Bill said he saw it. We have each other for moral support. These guys are all alone doing this trip. Now, THAT takes guts.
Well, we are going to hit the pool for a few hours---stay tuned for more adventures.
Taz: Today we are spending the day in Dighton, KS. We rode 32 miles this morning in hard, hot winds. We are going to try something new today. If it works we'll tell you all about it in the next blog.
The 105 degree heat and the wind has slowed our progress getting to Colorado, but we are still chipping away at it. Someone told us that we are going to run into 60 degree highs next week in the mtns. We are looking forward to seeing some new wildlife too. Yesterday we saw a couple of badgers, the hawks are getting bigger, and today we are pretty sure we saw a mule deer out in this thicket on the plains.
Yesterday we met a woman that we've been "chasing" since before the trip started. The "Princess of Whales", Meagan. She is very interesting and we enjoyed talking to her. We chatted while sipping on milkshakes in Ness City, KS yesterday.
Our buddy Preacher Bill is now a couple days behind us but still hanging in there. We check on him almost nightly and give him the scoop on what's ahead for him.
The other guy we met back at the KY/VA border, Ian is still on the trail as far as we know. We've heard from him once or twice on email. We left some signs to him cheering him on. Since we left the truck it's been harder to do. We left one for Bill and Ian the other day in the middle of a 40 mile stretch of nothing. Bill said he saw it. We have each other for moral support. These guys are all alone doing this trip. Now, THAT takes guts.
Well, we are going to hit the pool for a few hours---stay tuned for more adventures.
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 12:56 PM EDT
Updated: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 10:04 PM EDT
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Updated: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 10:04 PM EDT
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Sat, 15 Jul 2006
Day 26
From All of Us: Killer heat, mega long straights and not a dang thing to look at----Go Kansas! The people are cool though. Everyone is very interested in where we are from and where we are going.
Bad breakfast at the 54 Truck Stop Diner this morning shortened today's ride to 80 miles. We are still hopeful to finish this state in the next three days.
We've experienced yet another act of generosity as tonight we are staying at the Newton Fire Station. Inside out of the heat. We heard about these guys from a eastbound cyclist. They are awesome. A paid fire dept. Showers with their clean towels, a room all to ourselves, and pads to sleep on.
We went through the Flint "Hills" today. We wouldn't have know that's where we were except for the sign. The hills weren't much. Today we went 20 miles and only saw 3 cars. We are stating to hit 40 and 50 mile stretches with no access to food or water.
If you don't hear from us for a few days it's because we have our heads down pedaling through this vast nothingness immense heat!
From All of Us: Killer heat, mega long straights and not a dang thing to look at----Go Kansas! The people are cool though. Everyone is very interested in where we are from and where we are going.
Bad breakfast at the 54 Truck Stop Diner this morning shortened today's ride to 80 miles. We are still hopeful to finish this state in the next three days.
We've experienced yet another act of generosity as tonight we are staying at the Newton Fire Station. Inside out of the heat. We heard about these guys from a eastbound cyclist. They are awesome. A paid fire dept. Showers with their clean towels, a room all to ourselves, and pads to sleep on.
We went through the Flint "Hills" today. We wouldn't have know that's where we were except for the sign. The hills weren't much. Today we went 20 miles and only saw 3 cars. We are stating to hit 40 and 50 mile stretches with no access to food or water.
If you don't hear from us for a few days it's because we have our heads down pedaling through this vast nothingness immense heat!
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 12:05 AM EDT
Updated: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 11:52 PM EDT
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Updated: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 11:52 PM EDT
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Thu, 13 Jul 2006
Day 25
Mile 1,579
Jimmy: After a sleepless night in 95 degree Kansas humidity, we pedaled 120 miles to Eureka and got our very first hotel room. A day off in Pittsburg on the eastern border and talking with some East bound bikers that are finishing their bout with Kansas convinced us to get on the road tomorrow before daybreak to beat the heat and pedal through this flat state in the next 4 days.
Traveling East to West, we’ll climb 4,000 vertical feet before we hit the Colorado border. We’re counting down the miles to our stop in Breckenridge for some much needed playtime, bike maintenance, and relaxation in weather below triple digits.
Corey (alias, Forest Gump)--Keep running!
Marcel--Don’t bother, you’re too slow!
PRAY FOR THOSE TAIL WINDS!
Mile 1,579
Jimmy: After a sleepless night in 95 degree Kansas humidity, we pedaled 120 miles to Eureka and got our very first hotel room. A day off in Pittsburg on the eastern border and talking with some East bound bikers that are finishing their bout with Kansas convinced us to get on the road tomorrow before daybreak to beat the heat and pedal through this flat state in the next 4 days.
Traveling East to West, we’ll climb 4,000 vertical feet before we hit the Colorado border. We’re counting down the miles to our stop in Breckenridge for some much needed playtime, bike maintenance, and relaxation in weather below triple digits.
Corey (alias, Forest Gump)--Keep running!
Marcel--Don’t bother, you’re too slow!
PRAY FOR THOSE TAIL WINDS!
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 11:23 PM EDT
Updated: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:38 PM EDT
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Updated: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 11:38 PM EDT
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Tue, 11 Jul 2006
Day 23
Taz:
Hmmmm . . . so much has happened in the past couple of days. The biggest news is that we crossed over into Kansas today! We're in Pittsburg, a town of 19,000 for tonight and tomorrow. We are catching up on laundry and maintenance and such.
Okay, now let me back up a little. We woke in Marshfield, MO yesterday morning to heavy rain and storms. We were dry though under a city park pavilion sleeping on tables because we knew it was coming. We waited for it to pass but it wasn't going to happen. We went to breakfast and the library to kill time and wait for it to ease up. Finally, it did seem to ease up so we took off and tried to make it to Walnut Grove Post Office before it closed to pick up a package. On the way, the sky opened up on us again. Right on top of us. Lightening so close it scared us big time. One strike was 30 to 50 feet away. All I could think about was the last thing Jim said to me - "keep my boys safe." There was nothing around and nowhere to go but on. We ended up riding out of the storm safely.
Walnut Grove was 40 miles into our 60 mile day. We busted butt to get to the post office figuring the earliest it would close would be 4 PM. NOT! They closed at 3:30 and we got there at 3:40. Well, everything happens for a reason. After much debate we ended up seeing if we could camp for the night (this town was not shown on the map as one to camp in). The town of 500 rolled out the red carpet and let us stay indoors at a church fellowship hall. It had a great shower. I think it was the quietest night's rest yet!
Then one thing led to another. While Jimmy was dealing with the Campmor package arrival, we ran into a local that told us a bridge was out on our route and the detour would add 20 miles to our ride. Coupled with the late start of the day we had no intentions of doing a 100 mile day. Don't forget we've got those plastic bags on our bikes now! Jim (our S.A.G. man), where are you?! Just kidding. The reroute had us going 70 miles through somewhat flatter country, enroute to the much flatter Missouri/Kansas border.
But, wait! What about our buddy, Preacher Bill? He's a town behind us and needs to know about the detour! Spending all the time we did in Walnut Grove, we ended up getting to be buddies with the policeman on duty. We told him about Bill and he said he would track him down and give him directions. Not only did he do that but he came out west of town and told us he had found Bill! As of tonight, Bill is still a town behind us but says he's going to do a short day tomorrow and then hang here with us tomorrow night.
We've got 1442 miles under our belts now. We are still laughing and having a great time. Sometimes Jimmy and Dusty get to laughing so hard they can't ride and have to stop riding to hold their bellies. They like to have these insane races up the rollers (hills) shouting crazy speeds they are trying to hold as they go up. They also like to sing a lot but only know half the words to most of the songs, and laugh more when they realize this.
Our first week without the truck and we don't think we've lost any weight which was one of our biggest fears - being hungry. I think we've settled into a routine finding a big meal as soon as we hit our evening town and snacking later. Water hasn't been an issue until today when it got a lot hotter. With our tools we were able to turn the water on at a church. We are getting there! WE ARE IN KANSAS!
Taz:
Hmmmm . . . so much has happened in the past couple of days. The biggest news is that we crossed over into Kansas today! We're in Pittsburg, a town of 19,000 for tonight and tomorrow. We are catching up on laundry and maintenance and such.
Okay, now let me back up a little. We woke in Marshfield, MO yesterday morning to heavy rain and storms. We were dry though under a city park pavilion sleeping on tables because we knew it was coming. We waited for it to pass but it wasn't going to happen. We went to breakfast and the library to kill time and wait for it to ease up. Finally, it did seem to ease up so we took off and tried to make it to Walnut Grove Post Office before it closed to pick up a package. On the way, the sky opened up on us again. Right on top of us. Lightening so close it scared us big time. One strike was 30 to 50 feet away. All I could think about was the last thing Jim said to me - "keep my boys safe." There was nothing around and nowhere to go but on. We ended up riding out of the storm safely.
Walnut Grove was 40 miles into our 60 mile day. We busted butt to get to the post office figuring the earliest it would close would be 4 PM. NOT! They closed at 3:30 and we got there at 3:40. Well, everything happens for a reason. After much debate we ended up seeing if we could camp for the night (this town was not shown on the map as one to camp in). The town of 500 rolled out the red carpet and let us stay indoors at a church fellowship hall. It had a great shower. I think it was the quietest night's rest yet!
Then one thing led to another. While Jimmy was dealing with the Campmor package arrival, we ran into a local that told us a bridge was out on our route and the detour would add 20 miles to our ride. Coupled with the late start of the day we had no intentions of doing a 100 mile day. Don't forget we've got those plastic bags on our bikes now! Jim (our S.A.G. man), where are you?! Just kidding. The reroute had us going 70 miles through somewhat flatter country, enroute to the much flatter Missouri/Kansas border.
But, wait! What about our buddy, Preacher Bill? He's a town behind us and needs to know about the detour! Spending all the time we did in Walnut Grove, we ended up getting to be buddies with the policeman on duty. We told him about Bill and he said he would track him down and give him directions. Not only did he do that but he came out west of town and told us he had found Bill! As of tonight, Bill is still a town behind us but says he's going to do a short day tomorrow and then hang here with us tomorrow night.
We've got 1442 miles under our belts now. We are still laughing and having a great time. Sometimes Jimmy and Dusty get to laughing so hard they can't ride and have to stop riding to hold their bellies. They like to have these insane races up the rollers (hills) shouting crazy speeds they are trying to hold as they go up. They also like to sing a lot but only know half the words to most of the songs, and laugh more when they realize this.
Our first week without the truck and we don't think we've lost any weight which was one of our biggest fears - being hungry. I think we've settled into a routine finding a big meal as soon as we hit our evening town and snacking later. Water hasn't been an issue until today when it got a lot hotter. With our tools we were able to turn the water on at a church. We are getting there! WE ARE IN KANSAS!
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 11:17 PM EDT
Updated: Sat, 15 Jul 2006 12:07 AM EDT
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Updated: Sat, 15 Jul 2006 12:07 AM EDT
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Sun, 9 Jul 2006
Day 21
Dustin:
We survived going through the "bad" part of Missouri, but it didn't seem as "bad" as we had been told. Taz, Bill, Jimmy and I pedaled our way through with no problems at all. Once we got to Ellington, the people were extremely nice. While sitting at an intersection looking at the map to find camp, about a dozen people waved at us. One gave us directions to the park and one of the other guys said come camp in his back yard. Hall's buffet was delicious even though the regulars didn't care for the bike attire. With such a good dinner waking up early the next morning wasn't really part of mine and Jimmy's plan, but finally we were up and ready to go. Leaving town also meant leaving Bill. The hills ahead were too big for him to go the pace we were doing. With our final goodbyes said, we pulled away and another new day had begun. It's awesome to talk to the east bounders along the way. Sharing random stories and finding out the "good" places to stay is usually the highlight of our conversation. Today (7/9) I saw and caught my very first armadillo! With Taz and Jimmy chanting for me to pick it up, I finally got enough nerve to do so. Scared to death (yeah, both me and the armadillo), I grabbed it by the tail just long enough for the picture and then put it back on the ground. It then retreated to the log which was its home.
Sitting down at the dinner table at a local restaurant in Marshfield, MO, talking to the people who were drilling us with questions about the trip, I noticed two people walking in and sitting down at the booth behind us. They did not look at us but I was staring at them for some reason. Finished off the conversation with the people, I see the people in the booth behind us ordering the best desserts and just sitting there and talking. When they were done, they got up and left. We didn't think anything of it. Then when we went to pay the waitress, she told us that us that the people behind us paid for our food. We just couldn't get over the fact that they were that kind. They didn't even know what we had ordered or how much it cost and they generously paid for our meal. I guess that is what you call a random act of kindness and we'll surely be able to pass that on down the line.
Dustin:
We survived going through the "bad" part of Missouri, but it didn't seem as "bad" as we had been told. Taz, Bill, Jimmy and I pedaled our way through with no problems at all. Once we got to Ellington, the people were extremely nice. While sitting at an intersection looking at the map to find camp, about a dozen people waved at us. One gave us directions to the park and one of the other guys said come camp in his back yard. Hall's buffet was delicious even though the regulars didn't care for the bike attire. With such a good dinner waking up early the next morning wasn't really part of mine and Jimmy's plan, but finally we were up and ready to go. Leaving town also meant leaving Bill. The hills ahead were too big for him to go the pace we were doing. With our final goodbyes said, we pulled away and another new day had begun. It's awesome to talk to the east bounders along the way. Sharing random stories and finding out the "good" places to stay is usually the highlight of our conversation. Today (7/9) I saw and caught my very first armadillo! With Taz and Jimmy chanting for me to pick it up, I finally got enough nerve to do so. Scared to death (yeah, both me and the armadillo), I grabbed it by the tail just long enough for the picture and then put it back on the ground. It then retreated to the log which was its home.
Sitting down at the dinner table at a local restaurant in Marshfield, MO, talking to the people who were drilling us with questions about the trip, I noticed two people walking in and sitting down at the booth behind us. They did not look at us but I was staring at them for some reason. Finished off the conversation with the people, I see the people in the booth behind us ordering the best desserts and just sitting there and talking. When they were done, they got up and left. We didn't think anything of it. Then when we went to pay the waitress, she told us that us that the people behind us paid for our food. We just couldn't get over the fact that they were that kind. They didn't even know what we had ordered or how much it cost and they generously paid for our meal. I guess that is what you call a random act of kindness and we'll surely be able to pass that on down the line.
Posted by mtnbikertaz at 10:07 PM EDT
Updated: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 11:58 PM EDT
Updated: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 11:58 PM EDT
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