Rolled out of the Pitt at 8:00. Rode comfortably with a tailwind to Girard. Breakfast Girard style, western omelet biscuits and hash browns. Very tasty.
As I was sailing west on 680th ave I passed a friendly looking Lutheran church. Didn't think anything of it at the time but I got a few miles down the road when a guy in a silver sedan stopped me. He said he was the Pastor and told me I ought to turn back, Thursday's community lunch. that means free food. I had just had breakfast in Girard but I could feel a little room for some more. I bolted back up hill into the wind and met pastor john for lunch. Pastor John is a big dude, he has to be at least 6'6''. I threw a few dollars in the donations jar and chowed down on some ham, beans, potatoes, and lots of cakes. The pineapple upside down cake was phenomenal. Everything homemade, everything delicious. Pastor John said I was more than welcome to stay the night, bikers have stayed there before. I really wanted to take advantage of the weather, and the tailwind and blast my way deeper into the great state of Kansas. Pastor John wouldn't let me leave without taking something from his garden, unfortunately all that was ready was lettuce. Pastor John has a lot of pride in his garden and is excited to share it with the world. I would love to someday have a garden as nice as his, one day when I have a little land of my own there will be a spectacular garden on it. I gladly accepted his lettuce, the grocery bag full of lettuce. It was great, I munched on it all the way to Chanute.
Big town Chanute, I checked out the library, some of the local boy threw some trash at me and hollard as they drove by, Chanute is on my bad side now. The library was another one of those one hour per person per day deals. Not cool, I didn't bother messing with the blog. I don't like feeling rushed. Checked the weather and browsed around a bit. Got a chance to chat with Marcos and Ben Strohman on the facebook. Ben is doing a swell job with that facebook group. I wasn't expecting a facebook group or all these blogspot followers. Thank you for all the support. Spoke with David Soria too, he's a wild dude. David, Make sure your dad reads this stuff and send it to all my Freeport folk.
After the library I found a Chanute visitors center, The women there showered me with Chanute maps and tourism pamphlets. There is a lot of history here railroad history and civil war history. Octavius Chanute and what not. I asked them where to eat and they Insisted I try a mexican restaurant in town. I took their advice and I was disappointed. I should have known, Its kansas. I need to wait till Arizona for Mexican food.
I went to the walmart to use the ATM, a woman there saw me on the phone with chase, overheard the conversation and tried to give me $30. I wouldn't take her money. I kept explaining that I have money it's just a pain to get it out. I had to run away from her. She kept telling me to have a little taste of Kansas Hospitality. i said "How about a bed to sleep in?". She wasn't having that. I ran away from her and went to a park in town to sleep.
feeling rushed, library closing
Mileage: 63
Total: 805
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 6
I wanted to get up early so I could enjoy the lodge a bit more before I take off. I was seriously thinking of staying another day, but I cant take a break at every nice place I get to. I made coffee, had a danish, and watched the news. It's not sopposed to rain till tommorow evening and clear up in the morning. Even more reason not to stick around and get to my next destination quick. Bill stopped in to say goodbye, I'm pretty sure he was really there to make sure the bed wasn't messed up. I slept in my sleepingbad just to be sure.
Big Bad Bikin Mike and Kat told me about a diner on the route in Golden City that all the bikers stop at. They have a book that everyone signs and says where they're headed. Chicken sandwich, really good fries and a slice of blackberry pie. Excellent pie.
Arrived in Pittsburg Kansas today at 3:00. Very happy to be in Kansas. Pittsburg is a big town, college town, Pittsburg State University. Georgous campus. I stopped in a bike shop to figure out where to camp, the fellas there were real nice. They told me where the park to camp in was and where there is a YMCA. I figured i would check that place out after the library, I got logged off of the public library computer after an hour, one hour per person per day policy. I even tried to schmooze a little to get more time, but it was a no go. I diddn't get it, the place was dead. I was directed to the campus library, you can internet all day over there. I pedaled over to the other side of town and got cought up on the posts, I never update the day that I'm at the computer because I havn't written in the journal yet. This stuff comes straight out of the journal.
Off to the YMCA, on my way there I stopped at a frozen custard place and got a burger and a custard. Freddy's it was called. The custard was great but the burger was awful. It was like a steak and shake burger, I'm not a fun of steak and shake burgers. They're all flattened out. I think Freddy's and Steak and Shake are affiliated. At the Y $3 for access to the the shower's the steam room and the worldpool. Very relaxing. There were a couple of gentlemen from the university using the facility, Maxwell and Dan. We got to talking and turns out they are fighters. I diddn't think to ask whet kind of fighting and they diddn't really elaborate we pretty much just talked about highschool wrestling and my bike ride. They both wrestled in highschool as did I.
It was a light post, nothing to exciting.
Mileage: 66
Total: 742
Big Bad Bikin Mike and Kat told me about a diner on the route in Golden City that all the bikers stop at. They have a book that everyone signs and says where they're headed. Chicken sandwich, really good fries and a slice of blackberry pie. Excellent pie.
Arrived in Pittsburg Kansas today at 3:00. Very happy to be in Kansas. Pittsburg is a big town, college town, Pittsburg State University. Georgous campus. I stopped in a bike shop to figure out where to camp, the fellas there were real nice. They told me where the park to camp in was and where there is a YMCA. I figured i would check that place out after the library, I got logged off of the public library computer after an hour, one hour per person per day policy. I even tried to schmooze a little to get more time, but it was a no go. I diddn't get it, the place was dead. I was directed to the campus library, you can internet all day over there. I pedaled over to the other side of town and got cought up on the posts, I never update the day that I'm at the computer because I havn't written in the journal yet. This stuff comes straight out of the journal.
Off to the YMCA, on my way there I stopped at a frozen custard place and got a burger and a custard. Freddy's it was called. The custard was great but the burger was awful. It was like a steak and shake burger, I'm not a fun of steak and shake burgers. They're all flattened out. I think Freddy's and Steak and Shake are affiliated. At the Y $3 for access to the the shower's the steam room and the worldpool. Very relaxing. There were a couple of gentlemen from the university using the facility, Maxwell and Dan. We got to talking and turns out they are fighters. I diddn't think to ask whet kind of fighting and they diddn't really elaborate we pretty much just talked about highschool wrestling and my bike ride. They both wrestled in highschool as did I.
It was a light post, nothing to exciting.
Mileage: 66
Total: 742
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
May 5
I'm Being Pampered
Slept today until about 8:00. PB sandwich and a banana for breakfast, thank you Kathy. I almost stopped into the Walmart on my way out of town, Mike said he would be working. I really had to get going sorry Mike, we'll meet again.
Hit some big time construction and made a big detour where CC crosses 13 west of Fair Grove. Just when i got through that a kid stopped me, Steve Miller. He is planning on doing Virginia to California in a couple weeks. Very cool, he fed me cookies. i tried to take a picture with him but the camera ran out of batteries. He had a camera and is going to send me the picture.
Just a few miles after that I ran into my first cyclist. Burly guy he looked really tough. I knew something was up when to my left at a church parking lot there was a car parked with a wheel set on the roof. A woman was looking down the road. When I got a little closer to the church I could see him pumping up the hill. Mike Meezan and his wife Kat is supporting him. They had some slick cards made up with contact information and blog information, I should have done that. They have been on the road since april 6 from Orange County California. I chould have made Dana drive along side me.
They told me about a place to stay in Everton, Running Spring Farm. They said it was a gorgeous hunting lodge. I asked how much? $70. Easy Meezans! I don't roll like that. I don't have that kind of cash. They then told me that the guy is very nice and will probably let me camp for free. Thats more like it. Perfect, I stopped in some town for a sandwich. i dont remember which one and was at the farm by 3:30. Just as I rode up Bill Cork walked up to me. I told him that Mike Meezan told me about the place. We both light heartedly poked a little fun at him for making his wife drive the whole way. Sorry Mike, i know you're gonna read this blog but I can't leave things out for the sake of people's feelings. Let me just note that this has been a life time goal of his and I think it is great, Power to you Mike. Everyone, give Mike some support: http://meezan-thecrossing.blogspot.com/
Bill then said "here's the deal, $50 if you mess up the bed to where i would have to make it in the morning, $20 if its just as it is now when I see it in the morning." So Bill's got himself a sliding scale here. He charges the couple from Orange County $70 and the poor kid from Chicago $20. Way to go Bill.
Now I'm being pampered. 2 bedrooms, a bunk room, dining room, living room with satelite TV, bathroom, and kitchen. This place is un believable. Bill also said that the kitchen is fair game and the kitchen is stocked. It seems to me like all the hunters that come during season buy and bring food then just leave it here when they depart. 3 bottles of mustard, 2 jars of mayo, a countless number of bottles of louisianna hot sauce. Bill probably just ends up throwing it all out. I found a opened box of pasta and some sauce in the fridge, that was a nice little dinner. Then i had at some icecream from the freezer.
Mileage: 60
Total: 676
Slept today until about 8:00. PB sandwich and a banana for breakfast, thank you Kathy. I almost stopped into the Walmart on my way out of town, Mike said he would be working. I really had to get going sorry Mike, we'll meet again.
Hit some big time construction and made a big detour where CC crosses 13 west of Fair Grove. Just when i got through that a kid stopped me, Steve Miller. He is planning on doing Virginia to California in a couple weeks. Very cool, he fed me cookies. i tried to take a picture with him but the camera ran out of batteries. He had a camera and is going to send me the picture.
Just a few miles after that I ran into my first cyclist. Burly guy he looked really tough. I knew something was up when to my left at a church parking lot there was a car parked with a wheel set on the roof. A woman was looking down the road. When I got a little closer to the church I could see him pumping up the hill. Mike Meezan and his wife Kat is supporting him. They had some slick cards made up with contact information and blog information, I should have done that. They have been on the road since april 6 from Orange County California. I chould have made Dana drive along side me.
They told me about a place to stay in Everton, Running Spring Farm. They said it was a gorgeous hunting lodge. I asked how much? $70. Easy Meezans! I don't roll like that. I don't have that kind of cash. They then told me that the guy is very nice and will probably let me camp for free. Thats more like it. Perfect, I stopped in some town for a sandwich. i dont remember which one and was at the farm by 3:30. Just as I rode up Bill Cork walked up to me. I told him that Mike Meezan told me about the place. We both light heartedly poked a little fun at him for making his wife drive the whole way. Sorry Mike, i know you're gonna read this blog but I can't leave things out for the sake of people's feelings. Let me just note that this has been a life time goal of his and I think it is great, Power to you Mike. Everyone, give Mike some support: http://meezan-thecrossing.blogspot.com/
Bill then said "here's the deal, $50 if you mess up the bed to where i would have to make it in the morning, $20 if its just as it is now when I see it in the morning." So Bill's got himself a sliding scale here. He charges the couple from Orange County $70 and the poor kid from Chicago $20. Way to go Bill.
Now I'm being pampered. 2 bedrooms, a bunk room, dining room, living room with satelite TV, bathroom, and kitchen. This place is un believable. Bill also said that the kitchen is fair game and the kitchen is stocked. It seems to me like all the hunters that come during season buy and bring food then just leave it here when they depart. 3 bottles of mustard, 2 jars of mayo, a countless number of bottles of louisianna hot sauce. Bill probably just ends up throwing it all out. I found a opened box of pasta and some sauce in the fridge, that was a nice little dinner. Then i had at some icecream from the freezer.
Mileage: 60
Total: 676
May 4
Up at 7:30. Kathie and Adam were already up and about to go to school and work. I thanked her graciously. They left but let me leave at my own pace. Kathie let me make some peanut butter sandwiches for the road. I had some cereal and a banana for breakfast. Quick shower, did the dishes and I was out of there at 9:00. Non stop riding today, i made it to Marshfield by 3:00. I tried to call Dana in Hartville but I had no service. It's very depressing when that happens, I regretted not buying that phone in Houston. I finally got service down the road a ways and dana told me there was a Walmart in Marshfield.
I wen't to the Walmart and looked at the phones. Mike, the walmart employee told me that Alltell would be the way to go. They use Verison towers. We even busted out come maps that show the service areas and sure enough where there wasn't one there was the other. Now I feel Connected. I wen't to pay with my debit card and it gets denied, Try again and it's denied. Mike said that its probably because I'm traveling. Yeah, they probably just wan't to make sure nobody stole it. I called them up and unfortunately someone did steal it, tried to spend $200 on some london based site. My card has been deactivated. I can not use it. They are sending me a new one in the mail to Elmwood Park. I explained over the phone my situation, I notice Mike's concern for my situation as he reacts to my dramatic facial expressions, and she said that all she can do is allow me to get money out of an ATM if I call chase while I am standing in front of it. She made note of who i am and my situation, so I have to call chase verify my identity, they open up the card, I get my money, then they close it up immediately. I'm grateful they cought this but it is still a bummer. I called my dad and explained whats up. When he gets the card were gonna figure out a post office on route to mail it to.
I went to the Walmart ATM, called chase, got money and went back to mike to buy the phone. I ten talked to him about where the city park is and if they allow camping. He said he has seen people camping there and there are showers at the fairgrounds to use. We went oveer to the city alderman who happens to work at the local Walmart and he got on the phone to get the showers unlocked. This is good. Mike then offered to drive me to the fairgrounds, the park is right across from them. Mike has a truck and he was getting off of work within minutes. He reminded me of Seth Rogen, he even kind of talked like him. On the way to the fairgrounds Mikes Fionce called, he explained that he was driving a stranger on a cross country bike trip to the fairgrounds then asked what was for dinner, Angela told him she isn't making dinner, "Were goin to McDonalds". Coolest Fionce Ever. Mike then asked her if the stranger could come with. This is good, I like McDonalds, there is only one person I know that likes McDonalds more than me and thats Dana, Dana Loves the stuff.
We get there and meet up with Angela and their daughter, I forgot her name. They refused to let me pay for my own meal. Very nice people, awesome people. I told them about the blog so everyone say hi to Mike and Angela. We stayed and talked a lot, Mike told me a wild story about his dad crashing into an amish guys buggy. The buggy was hauling milk, milk wood, horse shoes im sure go flying everywhere. The truck and buggy were totaled. Everyone was fine thank goodness.
On the way out I bought myself and their little girl icecream, McDonalds has excellent icecream. No DQ but exceptionally velvety. Mike drove me to the fairgrounds, I said thank you and goodbye. Just as he left a guy came to unlock it. The shower was great, I was not expecting to be able to take one. The park was just renovated, very nice. I camped under a gazebo, there was a chance of rain.
Mileage: 67
Total: 616
I wen't to the Walmart and looked at the phones. Mike, the walmart employee told me that Alltell would be the way to go. They use Verison towers. We even busted out come maps that show the service areas and sure enough where there wasn't one there was the other. Now I feel Connected. I wen't to pay with my debit card and it gets denied, Try again and it's denied. Mike said that its probably because I'm traveling. Yeah, they probably just wan't to make sure nobody stole it. I called them up and unfortunately someone did steal it, tried to spend $200 on some london based site. My card has been deactivated. I can not use it. They are sending me a new one in the mail to Elmwood Park. I explained over the phone my situation, I notice Mike's concern for my situation as he reacts to my dramatic facial expressions, and she said that all she can do is allow me to get money out of an ATM if I call chase while I am standing in front of it. She made note of who i am and my situation, so I have to call chase verify my identity, they open up the card, I get my money, then they close it up immediately. I'm grateful they cought this but it is still a bummer. I called my dad and explained whats up. When he gets the card were gonna figure out a post office on route to mail it to.
I went to the Walmart ATM, called chase, got money and went back to mike to buy the phone. I ten talked to him about where the city park is and if they allow camping. He said he has seen people camping there and there are showers at the fairgrounds to use. We went oveer to the city alderman who happens to work at the local Walmart and he got on the phone to get the showers unlocked. This is good. Mike then offered to drive me to the fairgrounds, the park is right across from them. Mike has a truck and he was getting off of work within minutes. He reminded me of Seth Rogen, he even kind of talked like him. On the way to the fairgrounds Mikes Fionce called, he explained that he was driving a stranger on a cross country bike trip to the fairgrounds then asked what was for dinner, Angela told him she isn't making dinner, "Were goin to McDonalds". Coolest Fionce Ever. Mike then asked her if the stranger could come with. This is good, I like McDonalds, there is only one person I know that likes McDonalds more than me and thats Dana, Dana Loves the stuff.
We get there and meet up with Angela and their daughter, I forgot her name. They refused to let me pay for my own meal. Very nice people, awesome people. I told them about the blog so everyone say hi to Mike and Angela. We stayed and talked a lot, Mike told me a wild story about his dad crashing into an amish guys buggy. The buggy was hauling milk, milk wood, horse shoes im sure go flying everywhere. The truck and buggy were totaled. Everyone was fine thank goodness.
On the way out I bought myself and their little girl icecream, McDonalds has excellent icecream. No DQ but exceptionally velvety. Mike drove me to the fairgrounds, I said thank you and goodbye. Just as he left a guy came to unlock it. The shower was great, I was not expecting to be able to take one. The park was just renovated, very nice. I camped under a gazebo, there was a chance of rain.
Mileage: 67
Total: 616
May 3
Today I took the day off. Kathie told me if I want to stay till Tuesday she will drive me to Springfield, MO. I didn't want her to do that but I was grateful to be able to stay one more day and get a rest and break from the rain. Cold and rainy this morning. I was actually all set to go out but as I was packing up the bike I found that my bottle of 3 in 1 oil cracked open at the bottom of the left rear pannier. I spent all morning cleaning it up while Kathie, Adam, and Devon were at church. I ended up taking it off and soaking it in detergent. It didn't get on anything except for the pannier itself. Everything else in there was in a ziplock bag.
We watched Tropic Thunder and ate pizza when they got back from church. Funny movie, I like Ben Stiller. Walmart after the movie, I decided to get a go phone that uses verison towers since my cell phone is at&t. Certain providers lease different towers and usually in the smaller towns when one doesn't work the other will. The cheapest one they had was $30, I wasn't expecting to pay that much so I held off on that idea.
Kathie works at a doctors office and they have internet there. After Walmart we stopped by so I could update the blog and Kathie had some work to do. We weren't there to long so I only updated a couple, that was fine.
We dropped off Devon on the way back from the office and then Kathie made some teriyaki chicken and broccoli back at the house, It was delicious. Kathie told me a little bit about what it's like living deep in the Missouri Ozarks. People here don't like change, Kathie is originally from southern Florida and it took a little time before people accepted her. I rode through some of the poorest town's in Missouri. Life is different here compared to small towns in Illinois. In Illinois people hunt for trophies, here people hunt for food.
We watched Tropic Thunder and ate pizza when they got back from church. Funny movie, I like Ben Stiller. Walmart after the movie, I decided to get a go phone that uses verison towers since my cell phone is at&t. Certain providers lease different towers and usually in the smaller towns when one doesn't work the other will. The cheapest one they had was $30, I wasn't expecting to pay that much so I held off on that idea.
Kathie works at a doctors office and they have internet there. After Walmart we stopped by so I could update the blog and Kathie had some work to do. We weren't there to long so I only updated a couple, that was fine.
We dropped off Devon on the way back from the office and then Kathie made some teriyaki chicken and broccoli back at the house, It was delicious. Kathie told me a little bit about what it's like living deep in the Missouri Ozarks. People here don't like change, Kathie is originally from southern Florida and it took a little time before people accepted her. I rode through some of the poorest town's in Missouri. Life is different here compared to small towns in Illinois. In Illinois people hunt for trophies, here people hunt for food.
May 2
Rainy Morning, Depressing. I waited for it to stop, it wasn't until about 9:00. I made sure to have the rain covers on and my rain gear on hand before I set out. Excellent breakfast in Ellington, eggs sausage hash browns, the basics.
I rode through the Ozark National Scenic River Ways National Park on 106. It was very beautiful, and scenic. I did a lot of vistaing. I ran into a group of backpackers, a bunch of young kids. They were part of an organization to help out youngsters who have made bad decisions. They were nice. I told them to check out the blog. Hey Guys... whats goin on?
It started raining not too long after I ran into them. The raingear works well. I really have to ride slow, it gets very hot. Raingear does not breathe well. If I ride too hard I just end up drenching myself in my own sweat. I could feel my legs heating up and the rainpants starting to stick to my shins and calves. It was only a few degrees above 50, I hope I don't hit much rain on hotter days.
I wanted to get through Alley Spring to summersville today. I figured I would have phone reception in summersville. Alley Spring is down in a valley and Summersville is up on top. I was wrong about the phone reception.
I saw signs for a family youth center that has camping and lodging once I got in to Summersville. I followed the signs and arrived at a big building, the parking lot was packed. I peeked inside and asked around for someone in charge. Once I was brought to the right people I asked about camping. It turns out that this woman had just purchased the place, it had been abandoned for some time and she just bought it a few weeks ago. Those signs have been up for years. She said it would be fine to camp out. I asked her what was going on inside. She diddn't explain much, just said it was a benifit and I should throw a couple bucks in the jar and go eat. Just before I walked in Donna stopped me, she is in to century rides and has done a few tours of her own. it was great to be able to talk to someone who has done this sort of thing. Donna went in and I turned on my phone to call my family, no service of course. I threw a few bucks in the jar and went in to eat. This food was great, I really loaded up. Amish bean soup, Chili, Baked Beans, Pork and Beans, Corn Bread. lots of beand, I diddn't really understand that, every dish was based on beans. I saw Donna sitting by herself so I went and joined her. I conplained about the cell phone service and she handed me her's. I ran out and quickly called the family and Dana. I diddn't want to talk too long so I diddn't really get to explain much, I just told them where I was. Ran back inside and started throwin back some beans and chatting with Donna. Two others had joined us when I returned from checking in. Kathie and her boyfriend Mark. We talked about my trip and I asked what this benifit was all about. The Good Samaritan Care Clinic in Summersville is a free healthcare clinic. All the money goes to that. It's just everyday people who go to the clinic, they are people who can't afford health insurance but make too much money for Medicare or Medicade. Basically everyone in the towns of Summersville and Eminence. My donation is going to a good place. Mark checked out my maps, he's a trucker and knew a lot of the rads I'll be riding on, he let mem know whats to come.
There were some bluegrass bands playing so we went and checked them out after dinner. On the way over I hit the desert table, every kind of cobbler and pie you could think of. I went to town. The Bressler Brothers were awesome they play all over the world and the members are from Eminence and Summersville, everyone needs to check them out. After they played the Spring Valley String Band performed. They had a banjo player from Australia who hand makes banjo's, Laurie Grundy, I got to meet him later on. He was jacked for my trip. After all the bands there was a charity auction to raise more money for the clinic. They had one of those fast talkin auction guys. It was just a bunch of junk people donated but it was still pretty cool.
People were starting to roll out, I said goodbye to Donna and she told me about the internet radio station she works for, KWBC.FM, she is going to mention me on it. I gave her the blog adress and she is going to keep her listeners posted on where I am.
As Kathie was getting ready to leave she asked me if I wanted a place to stay for the night. I was thrilled, the only thing was she lives in the next town over, I would be cheating 20 miles. I decided to take her up on her offer. This isn't just a bike ride, this stopped just being a bike ride the day I stepped off the Voyageur in Morris and camped out for the night. The bike is a tool that I am using to travel and see parts of the country I have never seen and would just pass up in a car. If I decided I need to ride every inch of the journey this post would end with me camping out in a clearing behind a youth center. Instead it ends with Kathie, her kid Adam, his Friend Devon, and I packing into their Jeep with the bike, stopping at a liquor store for beer and driving 20 miles to Houston, MO. Kathie and I threw a few back, We ate apple pie that she won at the Charity auction, played rockband and went to sleep.
Much better than camping is Summersville
Mileage: 62+20=82
Total: 549
I rode through the Ozark National Scenic River Ways National Park on 106. It was very beautiful, and scenic. I did a lot of vistaing. I ran into a group of backpackers, a bunch of young kids. They were part of an organization to help out youngsters who have made bad decisions. They were nice. I told them to check out the blog. Hey Guys... whats goin on?
It started raining not too long after I ran into them. The raingear works well. I really have to ride slow, it gets very hot. Raingear does not breathe well. If I ride too hard I just end up drenching myself in my own sweat. I could feel my legs heating up and the rainpants starting to stick to my shins and calves. It was only a few degrees above 50, I hope I don't hit much rain on hotter days.
I wanted to get through Alley Spring to summersville today. I figured I would have phone reception in summersville. Alley Spring is down in a valley and Summersville is up on top. I was wrong about the phone reception.
I saw signs for a family youth center that has camping and lodging once I got in to Summersville. I followed the signs and arrived at a big building, the parking lot was packed. I peeked inside and asked around for someone in charge. Once I was brought to the right people I asked about camping. It turns out that this woman had just purchased the place, it had been abandoned for some time and she just bought it a few weeks ago. Those signs have been up for years. She said it would be fine to camp out. I asked her what was going on inside. She diddn't explain much, just said it was a benifit and I should throw a couple bucks in the jar and go eat. Just before I walked in Donna stopped me, she is in to century rides and has done a few tours of her own. it was great to be able to talk to someone who has done this sort of thing. Donna went in and I turned on my phone to call my family, no service of course. I threw a few bucks in the jar and went in to eat. This food was great, I really loaded up. Amish bean soup, Chili, Baked Beans, Pork and Beans, Corn Bread. lots of beand, I diddn't really understand that, every dish was based on beans. I saw Donna sitting by herself so I went and joined her. I conplained about the cell phone service and she handed me her's. I ran out and quickly called the family and Dana. I diddn't want to talk too long so I diddn't really get to explain much, I just told them where I was. Ran back inside and started throwin back some beans and chatting with Donna. Two others had joined us when I returned from checking in. Kathie and her boyfriend Mark. We talked about my trip and I asked what this benifit was all about. The Good Samaritan Care Clinic in Summersville is a free healthcare clinic. All the money goes to that. It's just everyday people who go to the clinic, they are people who can't afford health insurance but make too much money for Medicare or Medicade. Basically everyone in the towns of Summersville and Eminence. My donation is going to a good place. Mark checked out my maps, he's a trucker and knew a lot of the rads I'll be riding on, he let mem know whats to come.
There were some bluegrass bands playing so we went and checked them out after dinner. On the way over I hit the desert table, every kind of cobbler and pie you could think of. I went to town. The Bressler Brothers were awesome they play all over the world and the members are from Eminence and Summersville, everyone needs to check them out. After they played the Spring Valley String Band performed. They had a banjo player from Australia who hand makes banjo's, Laurie Grundy, I got to meet him later on. He was jacked for my trip. After all the bands there was a charity auction to raise more money for the clinic. They had one of those fast talkin auction guys. It was just a bunch of junk people donated but it was still pretty cool.
People were starting to roll out, I said goodbye to Donna and she told me about the internet radio station she works for, KWBC.FM, she is going to mention me on it. I gave her the blog adress and she is going to keep her listeners posted on where I am.
As Kathie was getting ready to leave she asked me if I wanted a place to stay for the night. I was thrilled, the only thing was she lives in the next town over, I would be cheating 20 miles. I decided to take her up on her offer. This isn't just a bike ride, this stopped just being a bike ride the day I stepped off the Voyageur in Morris and camped out for the night. The bike is a tool that I am using to travel and see parts of the country I have never seen and would just pass up in a car. If I decided I need to ride every inch of the journey this post would end with me camping out in a clearing behind a youth center. Instead it ends with Kathie, her kid Adam, his Friend Devon, and I packing into their Jeep with the bike, stopping at a liquor store for beer and driving 20 miles to Houston, MO. Kathie and I threw a few back, We ate apple pie that she won at the Charity auction, played rockband and went to sleep.
Much better than camping is Summersville
Mileage: 62+20=82
Total: 549
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 1
Loaf of bananna bread for breakfast. I got up early, 5:30 out on the road by 6:00. I wanted to beat the rain, I knew it was coming. I stopped at a nice little bakery in Farmington. ate a bleuberry scone and got a muffin and a bagel to go. Love those carbs. The route took me through St. Joe State park. It was very nice Missouri has lovely state parks in the Ozarks. I wish I would have gotten there last night.
Lovely hills and scenery till I got to my destination in Centerville. Very nice little town 171 people. The trans am maps said to check with the town hall about sleeping in the main courthouse square. They said go for it. I ate at a nice little resturant right across from the courthouse, big burger, needed the protein, and I hit the salad bar pretty hard. I told Dana last night that I would call her today at 1:00. It was about 5 till when I turned my phone on and realized I had no service. damn hills. Centervill is deep in a valley. Just as I realized all this the librarian came in, saw my bike, saw me and put 2 and 2 together. She told me the library is open till 4:30 so I could come in and use the internet. I ran over there and messaged a few people and told them I have no service. I'm supposed to call and check in with my parents every day at 5:00. I figured they would get word by then. I diddn't get all my posts updated before the place closed.
I went over to a gas station on the other side of the square and asked if they had a phone I could use. The woman there handed me one and said it would be fine. I called my parents, no pick up but I left a message. Bought a yoohoo and went over to the police station to ask if I could sleep in a cell, It was getting a little cold. No go on that. I was back in a nice corner settin up my tent when the librarian walks up to me and tells me I have a phonecall at the gas station. She just happened to be in there and the woman that let me use the phone sent her over, small town. Walked back to the gas station and talked to my dad, let him know where I was. On my way out of the I saw a couple of the local fella's fillin their pickup with beer, I asked them what's goin on tonight hoping they would invite me to come drinking, they just directed me to a bar up the road. I remembered it coming in and I wasn't about to ride back up there. There was a nice diner across from the gas station that had floats. when I walked in there was a lady gaukin out the window at the two boys, I asked her how she was and she commented on her boys up to no good fillin her truck up with beer. small town. I just grabbed a Dr. Pepper float and wen't to bed.
Lovely hills and scenery till I got to my destination in Centerville. Very nice little town 171 people. The trans am maps said to check with the town hall about sleeping in the main courthouse square. They said go for it. I ate at a nice little resturant right across from the courthouse, big burger, needed the protein, and I hit the salad bar pretty hard. I told Dana last night that I would call her today at 1:00. It was about 5 till when I turned my phone on and realized I had no service. damn hills. Centervill is deep in a valley. Just as I realized all this the librarian came in, saw my bike, saw me and put 2 and 2 together. She told me the library is open till 4:30 so I could come in and use the internet. I ran over there and messaged a few people and told them I have no service. I'm supposed to call and check in with my parents every day at 5:00. I figured they would get word by then. I diddn't get all my posts updated before the place closed.
I went over to a gas station on the other side of the square and asked if they had a phone I could use. The woman there handed me one and said it would be fine. I called my parents, no pick up but I left a message. Bought a yoohoo and went over to the police station to ask if I could sleep in a cell, It was getting a little cold. No go on that. I was back in a nice corner settin up my tent when the librarian walks up to me and tells me I have a phonecall at the gas station. She just happened to be in there and the woman that let me use the phone sent her over, small town. Walked back to the gas station and talked to my dad, let him know where I was. On my way out of the I saw a couple of the local fella's fillin their pickup with beer, I asked them what's goin on tonight hoping they would invite me to come drinking, they just directed me to a bar up the road. I remembered it coming in and I wasn't about to ride back up there. There was a nice diner across from the gas station that had floats. when I walked in there was a lady gaukin out the window at the two boys, I asked her how she was and she commented on her boys up to no good fillin her truck up with beer. small town. I just grabbed a Dr. Pepper float and wen't to bed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
