7/1/2014 - Newton, KS to a Eureka, KS

73 Miles

The skies opened up around 9:30 last night and we witnessed a thunder and lightning show that was huge. It lasted well into the early hours of the morning.

Some riders left early in the rain, but my roommates dawdled and eventually left just before 8 a.m. and the skies looked like they were clearing. It turned out to be a lovely day in the 80s.

Just 10 miles into the ride we were met with a bridge outage. The riders could get through but the support truck had to take the detour...through the muddy dirt streets....but finally was able to get back on the route.

The little town of Elbing, KS....don't blink!

Build it and they will come does not apply here

Sign says it all

We are staying at the Blue Stem Lodge, Eureka, KS....it has internet if you stand outside...on one foot...look towards the moon...etc...LOL

Tomorrow we are off to Chanute, KS.

6/30/2014 - Lyons, KS to Newton, KS

72 miles

The riders once again left early to beat the heat. I guess that was a good thing since the temperature did hit highs of 99 with a fair amount of humidity.

Not a lot of photos today...the scenery is all the same...wheat and corn fields for as far as the eye can see...many under water as the rains in the evening have been relentless.

This is something that I would want in my front yard. This rail car was sitting on its own set of tracks all by itself in the front yard.

These zebras were an odd sight in the middle of KS.

We are staying at the Days Inn, Newton, KS.

We are off to Eureka, KS in the morning.

6/29/2014 - La Crosse, KS to Lyons, KS

68 miles

The morning started off very soggy with a spectacular thunder and lightning storm which delayed the riders from leaving. After about a 3 1/2 hour delay...it was after 9:30 in the morning....the riders began their journey towards Lyons, KS.

Just what every yard needs....

The skies were threatening, but they were all bark and no bite. The humidity rose (yeah from me, but boos from everyone else)

Mural in Ellinwood, KS

Neat billboard

The Land of Quivira

Cow Creek Station Historical marker

Cross in honor of Fray Juan de Padilla

We are staying at the Lyons Inn, Lyons, KS. Our room had a very unique (read broken) pull out, so it was back onto the air mattress .... Enough said.

Tomorrow we are off to Newton, KS.

6/28/2014 - Dighton, KS to LaCrosse, KS

69 miles

After a fierce storm last night the riders left early enroute to LaCrosse, KS.

The Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in LaCrosse, KS is devoted solely to the history and legend of 'Devil's Rope'. There are over 2400 barbed wire varieties, including samples manufactured between 1870 and 1890. Hundred of antique fencing tools illustrate the inventiveness of the pioneers.

We are staying at the Green Acres Motel, La Crosse, KS.

Tomorrow we are of to Lyons, KS.

6/27/2014 - Tribune, KS to Dighton, KS

70 miles

The riders left extremely early since we were entering Cental Time Zone in 7 miles. My phone and electronics changed to CT before everyone else's so I was an hour early starting Happy Hour. Oh well, so the riders got to have an adult libation earlier than usual. It was all good.

We traveled through several small towns in Kansas, but there was not a lot to see other than endless wheat fields. The weather has not been cooperating, so all of the harvesters have been put on hold since they can't harvest wet crops. The riders have stayed dry since the rains and storms have been waiting until latter in the day to start.

We stayed at Shay's Inn, a cute mom and pop motel in Dighton, KS. Around midnight, the skies opened up and we had a fierce thunder and lightning storm which lasted about an hour or so. 

We are off to LaCrosse, KS about 70 miles due east of here.

6/26/2014 - Lamar, CO to Tribune, KS

72 miles

Today we finished another state, Colorado and entered Kansas -- Yeah! We are very close to being half way done on theis epic trip.

Once again the riders were up and out at the crack of dawn...some because of the mileage and some to beat the heat and some who were concerned about the potential storms...it is kind of interesting to observe.

I stopped at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, CO and spent a good bit of time reading the placards and walking the trail. Very interesting, but a very sad event in our nation's history. Very glad I got a chance to learn about this.

Interesting sign found in Colorado....YEAH!

We left Colorado and entered Kansas at about the 47 mile mark of today's ride. 

Can you see the little doggie in the clouds?

We are staying at the Trails End Motel, Lamar, KS for the evening. 

Tomorrow we are off to Dighton, KS.