Day 9

Found my second wind yesterday. Beautiful weather and scenery and almost no rain. After a good lunch at "The Grill", in Springfield, I took the scenic route to Pickstown, next to Lake Francis Case and Ft. Randall Dam. I enjoyed a conversation with a local Native American couple who were concerned I was lost. Then a gentleman struck up a conversation as he passed me on a hill. He just slowed to my pace and he told me about this guy he met who kayaked across America (don't worry, Marilyn).

Had a small glitch with my odometer, but my current mileage is around 610.

Today's goal is Academy, SD.

Ray

Day 9

Great meal at "The Grill" in Springfield!

On the road to Springfield

Day 8 Vermillion to Yankton, SD

Day 7

In Vermillion, SD in a motel. After 2" of rain last night and more tonight, I needed to regroup. Hope to get to Springfield tomorrow.

Highlights were riding with Paul and making it to SD. Lows were taking a wrong turn and going 6 miles out of the way. 

Ray

Rolvaag

Wrong Turn

I took right angle instead of the hypotenuse of a triangle today. If the hypotenuse was 15.2 mile, how far did I actually go?

Ray

South Dakota!

Goodby NE and IA. Hello SD!

Ray

Happy Trails, Paul.

Said farewell to my friend and riding partner, Paul, today. I wish him well on his tour of the Great Lakes region. He is an inspiration and encouragement to me.

Ray

Hot Latte, thanks to a neighboring camper.

Note to Self...

Choose higher ground.

Relaxing on the beach

Ok, this is not on the L&C Trail, but Raleigh just sent it to and I had to share it.

Lunch stop in Mondamin

Day 6

What day is this? I think it's Thursday. This morning I met my first bike touring friend, Paul. Paul is from L.A. and is starting a 4 month tour of the northeastern states. Since his retirement he has recorded over 50,000 miles of touring! We plan to ride as far as Sioux City together.

Most of today's ride was on the "http://m.byways.org/byways/2187

Not today

Cheese Burger

This map is a work of art and hangs in the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center inn Nebraska City. A great place for hands-on learning for kids of all ages.

Day 5

Closed

I'll have to come back to Brownville, NE

Nehama, NE Library

Day 4

Stayed at Indian Cave State Park. Sorry, didn't see the cave. Bird watcher's paradise.

Photos from the road

Scenic Byway, glacial hills

Day 3

Need I say more?

Great morning

Thanks to this rich person, for sharing their shade (N 169 to St. Joseph).

Day 2

Brunswick, MO

Day 1

Setting off on a 6-8 week bike trip requires sacrifice, not by me but family and friends. My wife, Marilyn, has been a constant source of encouragement and has listened patiently to all my crazy ideas... Thank You, Dear! And our kids have been very helpful. As well in making this dream possible... You're all the greatest.
My church family has also supuported me, even though it males no sense to them.
Well, I guess I'll tell my first funny story. I was setting up camp behind a corn crib and couldn't find the tent pole. Finally, I called Marilyn, in desperation, to see if she could locate them. She scurried from room, but no poles. What to do? To my great relief, they mysteriously appeared underneath the tent. Thank you, Lord!
Much more to say, but for now, good night.

May 14 is almost here!

As departure date of approaches, I realize how challenging it is to put life on hold for 2 and a half months! While I'm looking forward to the experiences that await, riding my bike across the great Northwest, I feel a sense of responsibility to my wife, my clients and my church. I pray my time on the road will be filled with opportunities to encourage and inspire others, to learn about our nation's history and to draw closer to God. I know I will learn many valuable lessons and be a better person for the experience.

Flood plain

Near Salisbury