Into Missouri
Today's ride: Topeka, Kansas to St Joseph's, MO: 97 miles; 3,225 feet of climb
The day stated with the fire alarm going off in the hotel. Guess a guest wanted really, really well done toast.
The Topeka fire department showed up with a pumper truck and hook and ladder truck. At least we got this photo:
I love the Lieutenant in the background.
It rained earlier this morning and thankfully stopped the minute we started pedaling. The roads were wet, but in great shape.
At the first SAG, one of the tour directors shared they discovered a kitten in the engine compartment of on of the vans, ~18 miles from last night's hotel. They dropped it off at an vet hospital that will find it a better home.
The skies cleared up, the roads dried, and we knocked down some miles.
The ride was supposed to be 85 miles to day, but when we got to a Dairy Queen with 25 miles to go, we found out the Missouri River levee had broken, so the roads we were supposed to take were flooded and closed both east/west and north/south.
The good news is we were at a Dairy Queen. ~1 year ago we took our grandson to DQ, thinking we were taking him somewhere new. He strutted up to the counter and said "M&M Blizzard with chocolate ice cream please". It turned out, he taught me how to order at DQ. I always get the M&M Blizzard now.
But it is not nearly as fun as eating them without him. He gets that best facial contortions when he get brain freeze. He is a bit of an actor.
The tour director and staff worked with the local police to get a new route for us. Part of it was a narrow back road, so we stayed together, behind our baggage/mechanic truck.
Saw some awesome longhorn cows.
The flooding is everywhere. Fields, parking lots, over the river banks.
Given the heavy rains, this is probably not the first time we will have to take alternative routes.
Enjoyed the flat of western Kansas, the rollers of eastern Kansas; but frankly, that was a lot of Kansas. I think I will keep it in the "fly over" state column.
The day stated with the fire alarm going off in the hotel. Guess a guest wanted really, really well done toast.
The Topeka fire department showed up with a pumper truck and hook and ladder truck. At least we got this photo:
It rained earlier this morning and thankfully stopped the minute we started pedaling. The roads were wet, but in great shape.
At the first SAG, one of the tour directors shared they discovered a kitten in the engine compartment of on of the vans, ~18 miles from last night's hotel. They dropped it off at an vet hospital that will find it a better home.
The skies cleared up, the roads dried, and we knocked down some miles.
The ride was supposed to be 85 miles to day, but when we got to a Dairy Queen with 25 miles to go, we found out the Missouri River levee had broken, so the roads we were supposed to take were flooded and closed both east/west and north/south.
The good news is we were at a Dairy Queen. ~1 year ago we took our grandson to DQ, thinking we were taking him somewhere new. He strutted up to the counter and said "M&M Blizzard with chocolate ice cream please". It turned out, he taught me how to order at DQ. I always get the M&M Blizzard now.
The tour director and staff worked with the local police to get a new route for us. Part of it was a narrow back road, so we stayed together, behind our baggage/mechanic truck.
Saw some awesome longhorn cows.
Enjoyed the flat of western Kansas, the rollers of eastern Kansas; but frankly, that was a lot of Kansas. I think I will keep it in the "fly over" state column.
We love your pics and stories!! Bill, seriously my behind is sore just thinking about it! Safe travels thru the remainder of the heartland. You're missed in Mke.
ReplyDeleteCindy and Rick
Great pic of Linda with the firemen/truck. Thanks for that :-) Just gotta think that as you and Linda get south of Milwaukee there will be a sort of tug to the left lasting for a couple days.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your pics and stories, Bill. Keep 'em coming.
Steve & Jan