Purple Dress

It got real stormy last night, we actually had to use our sleeping bags to keep warm. High winds also but we were underneath an awning so all was well. We set the alarm for six but didn't actually wake up until a half an hour later. The first eighteen miles were to Nickerson where we stopped at the grocery store to stock up for 58 miles of no services.

It was twenty miles on the lonely road and another meal break. Kansas is still not flat, at least not sustained. I don't know what movie or photo or combination of media manipulation gave me the image of flat for fifty miles, corn fields on either side. That must be a different state. We did another twenty miles and decided that we were going to try to catch a draft. We arrived at a junction of two highways and were staking out the right opportunity. We all tried to catch some big truck but the driver was on to us and blasted off – we couldn't stay on. Then there was discussion about whether we'd try again, because at this point we're a half mile down the road on the failed attempt. Adam decided it wasn't productive and pressed on and Jeremy, Jordan, and I went back to the crossroads.

We had another couple of unsuccessful tries and set a time limit on how long it would be before we just rode the miles conventionally. Then a beautiful setup arrived. Two semis arrived back to back and were waiting to turn left onto the road we wanted to travel. When they got a clear stretch of road we started riding behind, right on the tailgate. 15 mph. 20 mph. 25 mph, struggling now. We lost them at about 29. But we were pleased with the effort and for having given it a good shot. When those trucks hit the right gear they just rocket off. Either that or we're nancy boys.

We reconnected with Adam up the road and did the last of the stretch of no services into Larned. It wasn't so bad. Fairly cool compared to previous days. We packed enough food, and enough water and made it in. We went to the library first and Adam bought a harmonica at an antiques place nearby. Adam may be the only person truly pleased with the purchase. Then we tooled around town and found the pool, which was quite well equipped, both in quality of water slide and female staff. The high point thus far. We jumped off the diving board and goofed off and then took the suggestions of said lifeguards and had dinner at a Mexican place up the street. It was excellent. Then we went to the cafe next door and got shakes and malts, also excellent. Justice has been served. We spoke to the owner and got free food from the buffet because we're such nice guys. Unfortunately, my box fell off the bike and exploded within sight of the pool as we rode back to take showers. We caught our final glimpses of the departing lifeguards and made camp in the park.

I got wireless from the pool network and I played Jeremy some Tom Waits but sometimes the live Youtube version just isn't the same. We listened to “Short People” by Randy Newman instead and now sing it on the road.

Buhler park.

No services.

The lonely road.

At a food break.

I see San Francisco.

Graining.

Larned Pool. Awesome.