Lincoln to Omaha 9/10/09!

581 miles later... Omaha was reached!

9 am I finally was able to drag my reluctant ass out of bed to go have some breakfast: eggs, biscuits, sweet roll, and two coffees to be safe. Packed my ish and said goodbye to Amy.

The Cornhusker Expressway was grippy.. there was no shoulder until I got out of town and a fair amount of trucks that needed to be somewhere. There was indeed more of the red rock on the shoulder until out of Lincoln and surrounding county. The road was fabulous afterwards. I crossed the Platte for the final time and it was really wide this time. The landscape was much more varied and there were more hills.

I reached the town of Gretna, just outside of Omaha around noon and snagged a blue Powerade, a green tea and a cold smart water. I guy with a fauxhawk told me that he couldn't drink the water out of the tap in AZ the way he could here in NE. I wasn't a very enthusiastic audience and I thought I'd fail even more as a listener if I chimed in that he should try Colorado water, as clearly it's the best.

Took highway 370 from Gretna to 25th st. More hills here, nicely paved and slower traffic. There was light roadwork which made things tense between me and the truckers, but NO HONKS whatsoever!!!!

Omaha was has a really nice outdoor trail system. At 25th st and Hwy 370 I was able to catch the Keystone trail which took me all the way into town. It's a smooth, wide, practically vacant trail that follows a little tributary and is lined by willows and cattails, vines and more corn. Once in town I got off the trail and headed through Elmwood park where I got a cat call, nice! The park was really comfortable and shady. It's surrounded by an affluent area which quickly converts into urban sprawl and then down a luxuriously sloping hill is downtown which is stunning, and vacant, and where I'm staying right now.

I got a little emotional twice today reveling in the fact that the journey has come to an end, and then now I must return to familiar faces, speak at much greater lengths (as I've gone days without speaking more than 10 words). I'm going to miss the road and the challenge and all the fresh air and outside time. I've got a renewed sense of excitement about this country. There are so many simply profound experiences for a person to have traveling through random country towns, whether by one's self or with company and I believe they are truly important to be had. It was a good summer. I've got to get some rest. Thanks for all of your support! Sleep well!

York to Lincoln 9/8/09

Not a bad little hump. I saddled up after a bowl of Life cereal a sticky bun and two cups of coffee. I packed 3/4s of water in my Camelpac and filled the two water bottles. I had left over skittles and some beef jerky. I put on my dance tights anticipating a cooler day. I was right about the coolness until I reached the other side of York, but then it became hotter than an oven.

I didn't see a soul the whole day, except for the people in their cars, vans, trucks and what have you (they decidedly don't have souls). A new kind of flower popped into view, this time periwinkle colored. I was blessed with largely clean and comfy paved shoulders.

When I reached the very very western outskirts of Lincoln, NE I was suddenly confronted with very steep hills! Way to break up the monotony at the end. My quads screamed with excitement or maybe it was with determination - anyhoo, they were hills and along with them came a wildlife preserve, and enormous hawk circling, a variety of trees, breezes, painted barns, and little creeks. I went up shifting down to 1 and down shifting up to 8. I stopped at the top of one hill reasoning that I would be able to see both people coming and going with out a problem (I had to pee... real bad). Turns out, everybody wanted to drive up and down that hill right then, so I fain eating skittles hoping that folks would stop driving around. None of this worked so I kept right on.

When I reached Lincoln, the shoulder was suddenly paved with a sandstone colored rock - I can only assume the color was chosen for the Corn Huskers. Cute, but created a lot of drag on my tires y'all. Well, getting into town wasn't tough and most residential side streets don't have stop signs. Lincoln seemed like a nice place to live, although people were noticeably more rushed. Amy checked me in at the Holiday Inn Express. She was very pleasant and was able to work me out a good deal.

I ended up staying in Lincoln a second day due to the rain. I took advantage and went to see the Sheldon Museum of Art. I was impressed by the beautiful University Campus and even more so by the small, almost replica of Lincoln Center that is the Sheldon Museum. They have a really nice collection of all kinds of pieces and were displaying the work of a contemporary Japanese artist. There was not enough room to show much at the museum, and I they didn't go out of their way on the plaques for the artwork; name date and title, nothing else.

Later that evening I returned to the hotel to watch the season finally of Dog the Bounty Hunter "Baby Lisa's Wedding." Too bad Leland was sick in this episode.

Grand Island to York, NE 9/7/09

Today I was shot. I woke up at six, got some breakfast and washed my clothes. I decided it would be prudent to soak my legs in hot water for a while before I left. I did that for a while then got my stuff packed... I serious: sometimes I think to myself "I just can't put this crap back in the box right now!" Said my goodbyes and took off down to Highway 34.

It was yet another brisk morning and it felt nice. The road curved a little and made a nice little crossing over the Platte again. I took it easy today and down shifted quite a bit today for fear of blowing out my knees (something that sounds incredibly painful to me). I stopped and got some water and Powerade in Aurora where my bike was blown over by the intense wind. Fortunately nothing broke.

The rest of the road was gravelly which created extreme drag and forced me to go even slower for fear of a flat. at about 2:30 I rolled into York (well the Northern part) I stopped in at a motel right off the highway, lured be it's advantageous locale, oh but fate was not so kind as to grant me a room. Blast! So 6 miles south I finally happened upon the America's Best Value Inn, where a home cooked continental breakfast is served starting at 6am, there's wifi, running water, people with teeth, laundry machines, and it's only 62 bucks a night... pretty damned good. I got right into my room and crashed for two hours then gorged out on a large cheese pizza, yes Jackie, I finished it myself. Then spoke to my sis for a bit and my momma and then went out to snap some early evening photos of the sky over the soy fields to the west. Tomorrow it's to Lincoln! Night.

Lexington to Grand Island 9/6/09

Woke up bright and early in Lexington and had a quick continental breakfast... in my busted state a man muttered to me that the eggs were "greezey" I quickly inferred that he was meaning to be funny in some sort of way, but all I could mutter was "oh really? haha"

Got my butt out that door and onto the road with my sweatshirt on. Headed back north over the bridge and onto Hwy 30 again. On my way I met another man (could it have been the same man?? we will never know, but he mentioned to me that they sure didn't give us much clearance room for my bike and his pedestrian smoking self. I nodded in agreement and actually began to think, "yeah! maybe somebody should write a letter to the senator about this!" but the thought quickly passed as I realized that I was in for more wind and a surprisingly large number of cars for a Sunday. By the way, if at any point in my day I had to risk riding in the road or hold up traffic, etc. my planned response to any hecklers would have been, "I can't believe you! And on a Sunday!" Thankfully, I never had to utter a peep.

I rolled into the town of Kearney at about noon where I stopped at the Thrifty something-or-other. I ran to pee real quick and then loaded up on more Muscle Milk (even though it's gross) Powerade, and water and Ranch flavored Pringles as this combo had worked on my other hump day. The fine gentleman with the fro was very smiley and pleasant and asked me about my camelpack. I went outside and made a spot for myself next to my bike on the concrete sidewalk and drank and snacked until full. I've been experiencing some discomfort in the posterior part of one of my left ribs so I gave that some attention. I got myself together and was off for 50 more miles.

I marveled at the amount of wind that the trains, though fifteen feet or so away, would push at me and create even more resistance. I gingerly biked over the evenly spaced cracks in the shoulder as I didn't want to spring a spoke again and very much less, pop a tire. I went by emerald green fields of something and soy and I started seeing a pink flower mixed in with the now sparse Blackeyed Susans. I finished my cherry sours and my recharge of jellybellies. I noticed less wavers as my head was down and the peddles were to the metal.

Grand Island started coming into view at around 5pm Central Time. I stopped in the nice clean smooth and welcoming parking lot of a new strip mall to call to get directions to yet another Holiday Inn. The young woman on the other end was new or had had a bad day or something: my asking her directions to her hotel seemed to perturb her. Anyhow, I took the scenic route through town and discovered that there are some very nice homes in Grand Island, a beautiful old downtown area, and quite a large Mexican population (this will be important in a moment).

Upon reaching the Inn of Holidays, I quickly unpacked and washed all the gunk right off my dirty self. When I came in to the hotel, I had noticed a restaurant across the street (S Locust st. to be exact) called El Tapatio, so I said to myself, "Hunter baby, you can't leave Nebraska with a bad taste in your mouth about the Mexican food here!" I crossed the street and asked for a place at the bar, and I'm glad I did! Great salsa, ok guac, spectacular bistec picada with fajitas de cebolla y morrones in a red salsa with some heat! The waitress was very kind too. I came home and I crashed!!!

Thus Far...

Denver to Keenesburg 43.8 miles

Keenesburg to Fort Morgan 53.4 miles

Fort Morgan to Sterling 44.8 miles

Rest day in Sterling

Sterling to Ogallala 90.5 miles

Ogallala to North Platte 52.7 miles

Rest Day cause my replacement cell was arriving Friday

After 20ish miles back to North Platte for yet another rest day cause I broke a spoke like a joke.

North Platte to Lexington 60.5 miles

Lexington to Grand Island 76.3 miles

Grand Island to York 44.9 miles

466.9 miles so far (not including the 20ish miles).

Will write more soon! Gotta eat some pizza right quick.

Everyone knows it's Windy!

Who's trippin' down the streets of the city and who's blowing directly in my face and who's making it so hard to go forward? Everyone knows it's Windy! And Windy has stormy eyes that flash at the sound of lies....

A 10 mph head wind really makes a difference y'all! I was pushing hard all day. Being a tall bloke I am basically a human sail on my bike even when I crouch down and pretend that I'm Lance Armstrong.

I got ten miles out of town with the same head wind yesterday only to hear a "ping!" I ducked down, knowing full well that I hadn't run over anything as I'm super careful about that sort of thing, and I saw one of my spokes dangling on my wheel. Mother trucker! So it was back to town to see my acquaintances at "Alive Outside." I checked in to the Blue Spruce Motel for one more night and replaced the spoke and trued the wheel. Later, I went to the convenience store and purchased some important things like: Cinnamon Starbucks, Vitamin Water, Combos, Chocolate Milke and Cherry Sours. After yet one more night it my favorite Nebraska town, North Platte, I headed to Lexington today; Lexington, NE that is.

Once again, it was an overcast and breezy day with quite a few grasshoppers crunchity crunch crunching beneath my tires. I got tooted at again by a nice train conductor and waved at by enthusiastic Nebraskans - which really keeps a person going! I wore out my Brazilian musica and moved on to my Rock Ballads.. Kyrie Elaison!

The air was pungent with wafting aromas from the flora AND dead fauna. I saw and smelled (and got a mouth full of the same smell) three road killed dear, one bloated raccoon and some partridges or sparrows or something with a yellow chests. A slue of random wings and all kinds of corn waste that had blown off the top of the big trucks that haul the mainstay of the area. I spotted some picture perfect horses and black and white cows grazing in the meadows. I heard more strange gun shots not far from the road (target practice???) A strange Buick station wagon with purple flags and what looked to be a gun mounted upright where the antenna should have been honked in recognition going East and later in the afternoon the very same jovial group honked again and waved coming back!

The people in Gothenburg were shy. On the way into Lexington, I stopped to read a plaque on the side of the road, put there by Bonneville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1940. It reads:

"Here on August 7, 1867, A band of Southern Cheyennes, led by Cheif Turkey Leg, wrecked a West-bound Union Pacific freight train and hand car which preceded it. The engineer and fireman were killed and the box-cars looted and burned. One of the hand- car crew was killed, another wounded, and one scalped alive. At dawn the indians rode away with bolts of bight colored calico tied to their ponies' tails."

The Kentucky fried chicken strips in Lexington were anything but tender, in fact they were so tough they probably could have beaten up any corn husking football team they wanted to. The Holiday Inn Express lady was embarrassed that the rate was so high, but they've got a pool and I need to lavar mi ropa. If you haven't already emailed me your cell phone number please feel free to give me a ring at the same number as before so I can put you into my new phone. Sounds like there's a cute baby the next room over. Peace out dawg.

Nice corn cobs!

Yesterday, woke up, got some breakfast at the over priced Holiday Inn Express in Ogallala, then lay down for a hot minute, half deciding not to go, but then at 10:30am I finally welcomed reality: I'm defying stars on this trip - even if they are my own, Holiday Inn takes itself way too seriously, and I always feel good once I get going. I hurried to get my ish together and at 11:00am on the dot, the front desk called to inform me that housekeeping needed to get into my room. So I hurried even faster and forgot my water bottles so I had to go back and get them, ugh! Then I quickly composed myself, appologized for my typical tardiness and left.

The ride out of town was just fine; as I had hoped, the shoulder on highway 30 widened on the East end of town. The sun was intense, but it felt great. Ali Smith, I was wearing my short shorts in your honor! I pumped up the tunes and was making great time. I flew through Paxton, saying my little "Lord let there be no dogs off their leashes or out of their yards" prayer. Then I waved at a train who was happy to toot his whistle at me which startled me a bit so I veered (this is were I think my cellphone jumped out of my front pack to hide in the corn). I rolled up to Sutherland shortly thereafter where proportedly a gay bikerbar exists, but I got shy and hungry so I keept going to the convenience store and got some gatorade and juice and snacked on some left over jerky I had.

Then when I stopped later on the side of the road for a quick drink and some chapstick (my lips were r-a-w, raw!) I realized that my cell was gone. I panicked for a second, then I said "fu*& it" and I kept going smiling. I passed Midwestern Renewable Energy plant where I assume they were fermenting ethenol from corn oil... it smelled deliscious! Then I gunned it all the way to North Platte where I found a Motel 6 for 45 bucks a night and a pool. Sweet! Aftering making a couple of phone calls a grabbing a quick bite to eat, I turned on my favorite show, Dog the Bounty Hunter, watched a few episodes and crashed. Now here I am in this town where people seem to have a bad attitude, unless you're a librarian. The Platte River is gorgeous, and the Mexican food tastes Italian, huh, I don't get it. Until later my friends!

No dogs!

Beaded and watched "Brazil" last night. I loved the movie!!! Woke up at 5:30 to the alarm on my phone that my sis had picked out in Florida. Downed a can of Starbucks Coffee, brushed my teef, put my ish away got an extra bottle of water and checked out! Bye Sterling, bye uranium, nitrates, and penitentiary! My butt and I will miss you.

I took off so fast down the hill towards the interstate, that my rain jacket flew off and I had to turn around momentarily to retrieve it. The morning was brisk and overcast. I made my way back to Highway 183 and stopped in at convenience store to get a fruit pie to tide me over. I got two... a Cherry and and Chocolate Pudding. I quickly ate the cherry under the gaze of the more amused onlookers and stuffed the chocolate into my front pack. I set out again just as a Union Pacific train was heading out. The sun was already getting high in the sky and it was bright red behind the clouds. The road was a little busy leaving town, but by the time that I reached Iliff, there was no one but me! I only stopped on the outskirts of Iliff cause I heard the barking and I didn't feel like racing against anyone, but myself today. No dog to be seen though.

Once I stopped next to some grazing cattle without realizing. Turns out, we were all grazing; I on jellybeans and Mike 'n Ikes and them on their cud. The also began suddenly to be very intrigued be me and and one point they were all standing in a perfect line staring and mooing.

My but and hands were doing surprisingly well today, thanks to a rest day in Sterling. My seat decided to sink unexpectedly and so I made a quick adjustment stop in Sedgewick then kept on my with Axé music blaring. "this music's like crack!" I though to myself. It is! It really gets me going and keeps me focused and positive.

The whole days' journey I was bordered to the east by the tree-lined Platte River and everything seemed pretty lush.

At about 11am I reached the town of Ovid, where I smelled some good food coming from a little grill pub, but I was both too shy and to pumped up to stop so I took a quick photo of the old Great West Sugar mill (closed in 1985 due to over speculation on the part of the owners) and stuck out the last 10 miles to Julesburg to make a total of 59 miles by noon.

Upon reaching Julesburg, the sun came out so I readjusted again and found the local market. I bought myself a can of ranch flavored pringles, peppered oberto jerky, powerade, muscle milk (gross by the way) and branches fruit flavored jellybeans (I was running low). I found a nice spot on a bench outside the town courthouse, ate my odd spread and noticed the fact that a fair amount of people in the town ride their bikes! I pumped my front tire, called my father for encouragement and decided to stick it out to Ogallala.

Just five minutes down the road I was already in Nebraska! I felt a little proud of that. The landscape seemed to drastically and suddenly change! No more farms for a spat just natural prairie. Beautiful, but hot! Then I reached Big Springs which I noted would be a nice place for a romantic getaway. Then I got crop dusted by something on my way to Bruel. Then I was struck with fear as I turned to see a veeeeery slow moving truck behind me- scenes of the 80's movie "Hitcher" haunted me. Finally he passed and I noted that he had a rear flat for which he had to lower his gear.

After all the friendly Nebraskan waving and a total of 90 miles I had made it to Ogallala! Now I'm ready for bed. Night y'all, sleep well!

Dogs!

Set my cell to wake me at 8:17am... nothing sounded and so I woke myself an hour later - I know, you're saying, "this mofo is resourceful!" but wait! Then I got breakfast with a coupon for 1.50!

Packed up and adjusted everything for the most comfortable ride possible as the worry that my butt cheeks would be raw by the end of this day had taken hold. I was also mildly concerned about the grey skies, but Wunderground.com confessed that there was only a 20% chance of precipitation and no one had heard anything about rain at check out. So off I was down Platte Ave/ Highway 34. It was a little chilly and there was a breeze and in now time I was utterly grateful.

I spied what looked to be a roadkill wolf cub (I don't think that they exist in these parts) and then I saw it's sister, the raccoon 100 yards later. I also caught a glimpse of large run-over snake- I imagined that it hurled itself into the grill of a truck one stormy night and met its exhibitionistic fate without even saying goodbye.

There was so much more corn today!

About 9 miles down the road I quickly reached the town of Brush. The welcome sign said only, "Brush!" A block inside of town lies a retirement home, interestingly named "Eben Ezer." About ten blocks East and over the tracks I merged onto Highway 6 which I would follow for the rest of the day to Sterling, CO.

Riding on Sunday was like heaven, probably cause everyone was at church or eating or taking advantage of their time and knocking the boots. The point is, that I had the road largely to myself and my increasingly painful butt.

After passing the town of Merino, I came upon a house where a middle aged and a young man were loading something in a truck and out of the corner of my eye I spotted a dog who was eyeing me and deciding weather to bite my calves or my hamstrings. Finally she decided and darted out towards me, and her cousin, previously unseen behind the truck, followed suit. All I could muster was a, "Hey! hey!" and as I slowed (I was not outrunning shít today) the owner yelled, "Hey Matilda! get over here!!!" To which I yelled thanks without turning around and only raising my hand in appreciation and hightailed it out of there.

There were lots of what I call, "cool wavers" today. They're the men we all dream about: their expression doesn't change when the lift a finger or two in recognition and in doing so maintain their cool while simultaneously transmitting it to the passerby. In my case, I take full advantage and wave with arm fully extended.

On the second crossing of the Platte river I could see a mama and baby deer crossing, unless it was a mama who had gotten funny ideas from Demi and her handy work with Ashton. Then as I went under the I-76 viaduct the state penitentiary shined like a beacon in the distance! I was home! The Ramada was right up the hill. The signs on the side of the road read, "State Facility near. DO NOT pick up hitchhikers." You can't drink the water in Eastern CO due to the high amounts of nitrates (harmless to adults according to the hotel) My butt already doesn't like me, I'm not drinking the water! --- Oops! Another interesting note: I just read the Sterling, CO website and it appears that not only should I not drink the water due to nitrates, but also I should stay far away due to elevated uranium levels! Good thing I spent extra time shampooing and conditioning today. Night y'all

Suicidal Crickets!

Opened my eyes at 7:30am and looked at the clock in my floral scented motel room in Keenesburg. The numbers seemed to say, "a rested body is a rested mind, go back to sleep fool! You don't have to check out until 11am." So I did. I woke up finally at 10am after dreaming that I had woken to a skunk nestling in the hay next to me... gross. My throat kinda hurt. Maybe it was because of the Airwick air freshener that shot it's noxious spray every half an hour or maybe it was from gorging myself the night before. Regardless; nothing a little Monster Moca Loca and a quick tooth brushing couldn't fix. I got my act together and locked the key in the room as directed by the Keen Motel's management by 11:00 am on the dot. I was out the door and on my ride.

Thank God/ Goddess/ Universe/ Rupert Everett that today was Saturday. CO highway 52 was relatively peaceful with conscientious drivers, minimal suicidal crickets, only one small snake coiled up on the side of the road, one nondescript dead thing, small pieces of wood, and lots of Blackeyed Susans and corn as far as I could see... which was not far, cause this was some tall-ass corn y'all!

I was honked at once by one of those assholes who likes to honk right when he's passing you. Then I was given a thoughtful two toots from a trucker and then... da...da...da!!!! Just when I was least aware two dogs scrambled out of the yard of a double-wide. I reacted by pedaling my ass off - I think I lost ten pounds in ten seconds and I'm sure that I got even whiter. I could feel them right behind me! Every hair on my body stood up so straight that it hurt when suddenly an elderly woman with snow-white hair passed me in her Buick sedan and I knew I was safe. I didn't even shit myself - I checked.

I was drinking a lot of water: Two water bottles and a Camelbak pouch worth. When finally I reached the Wiggens, CO rest stop. After leaning my bike against the white metal siding, I walked gingerly inside the shop where I bought a Lipton Green Tea and a Rain flavored Gatorade - I was attracted by the color here. I suddenly realized that two fellows (we'll call them Bud and Winston for drama's sake) were getting a kick out of my neon yellow bike shirt and my bike shorts. The attendant (we'll call her Jolene) decided to take her time at coming over to ring me up because she was embarrassed to serve my strange-looking ass.

After downing the majority of my new liquids, I took the liberty of lying down on the picnic bench outside in the sun to rest my weary buns. Then it was up and at 'em. Only 15 more miles or so to Fort Morgan. So I hopped back on trying not to rupture my screaming butt and hightailed it down to County Road Q. Upon reaching a cute little house in the shade of a big Cottonwood, I began to smell the most wonderful odor of home cooking and I was sure that at any moment a jovial woman would burst through her screen door and invite me to dinner, but alas, no. I was forsaken by the fact that what I was smelling was a gigantic onion patch on the outskirts of Fort Morgan.

Checked in to the Park Terrace Inn Best Western where the lovely receptionist was kind enough to direct me to Cable's Grill Pub for dinner. I had the most immense smothered sopapilla stuffed with beef and a side salad and like 50 waters. Then I went to Walgreen's to buy hot compresses for my tired butt. Now it's off to bed with me. Until tomorrow!

On the Road... Again.

I've already spoken with some of you today. Mom, Dad, Hilerary, and Whitey and Michelly-O. Tis true, I'm back in the saddle. Ate two Chipotle burritos last night and had a couple of handfuls of jellybeans and fell asleep to "the Minority Report" on youtube. Woke up at 9am-ish, hastily finished packing and wrapping, adjusting, cramming, etc. Told my father not to photograph me as I was leaving - to which he replied - click... click... click click. Gave my father the evil eye and went on my merry way:

Oneida st North to 38th st. Left on 38th to Newport st. Right on Newport to Smith rd. Left on Smith to Dahlia. Right on Dahlia to 56th. Right on 56th to Quebec. Left on Quebec to CO state highway 2 (no shoulder here - it was pretty dicey- got honked at by one fellow who couldn't understand my need for being there - nice). North on CO 2 to 120th and over I-76 - scary. Detour through Brighton Colorado. Back to Prairie Center rd which loops around some gaudy water features with bronze eagles in flight. Here, I decided I needed some tunes. Then finally to the I-76 access road (on the West side) where I only saw one dead cat frozen in hissing face forever and one small something wasting away. Here's where my butt started calling for help. The crops alongside the frontage road rendered some amazing aromas and I had the pleasure of viewing some beautiful horses going to town at the troff. Made a quicks stop in Hudson, CO where I bought a yogur bebible de coco and a gatorade from the nice lady at Carniceria la Mexicana. She also told me that I would cause a problem if I were to stick to my plan of riding CO 52 and kindly directed me to the other frontage road - of which I was unaware - telling me that she likes to ride her bike that way sometimes and that if I kept on going and going I would reach Keensburg, my final stop for the day.

So here I am in Keensburg, CO, "home of 500 happy people and a few sour-heads" forty odd miles later. I was pleasantly greeted by the same attendant who I had spoken on the phone with earlier who gave me the happy news that contrary to my prejudicial assumption that a motel wouldn't have WiFi, this one does! So I grabbed my key to room 3 (there are 7 or 8) and stuck in in the lock of the steaming hot, green metal door. Once I had daintily pushed it open without burning myself I was overcome by a fresh air scent from a wall-mounted device much like those of public bathrooms. Almost falling over from the intensity I made my way into the room. The decor is that of a redneck's hunting lodge with wood paneling, emerald green carpet, teal comforters a pleasant little vanity with dressing room lights and lots of counter space for guns and waders and plastic coy ducks and probably beer too.

After washing up I went to eat at the Rooster and thought of my friend, Robin's words, "Eat a lot!" so I did: house stake with, sweet potato fries, garlic bread and salad bar for 15 bucks. Later I went to take photos of the sunset and of the passing trains. Now it's to bed. I hope my butt stops it's complaining by the morning. Tomorrow we go to Fort Morgan - my bike and I that is. Night!

Well...

After biking to Brighton, CO yesterday, and sustaining a flat front tire, and after my mother decided to fly out to support my father in Florida where my grandmother is in hospice care, I decided to postpone my trip until my mother returns. Ughh! I'm now certain that my adventure will be cut short as time won't allow for me to complete the 1,116 miles to Indiana. Right now I'm regrouping and planning to bike only to Omaha, NE were I will ship my bicycle home and fly to meet Jackie. Maybe things will work out better next time. I'm overcome with emotions that I don't know what to do with right now, so I will stew at my parent's house and wait to hear updates about my grandma, Lovey, as well as take care of my parent's house and hope for the best.

Bike Trip Eve...

Montana is gorgeous! almost as much as my sister is, but not quite. Montana is also redneck. I can't wait to go back! Rock Ballads from Time Warner is also extremely useful when driving for fourteen hours straight, and my mom agrees... she couldn't thank me enough for hitting the track button every five minutes so that we could listen to "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister over and over again.

I have all of my belongings on the floor next to me ready to be stuffed somewhere. My odometer should work now that I've adjusted the settings. I'll have to rig up the head and tail lights somehow on my gear. I just signed myself up for health insurance so that I can be free to get hit by as many cars as I so desire and I'm currently drafting a power of attorney letter, so that my mom will know who inherits my Aretha Franklin CDs.

I'll be taking it one mile at a time, one breath at a time, one friendly nod at a time. It's Indiana or bus for this honky. Wish me luck!

A couple more things...

My youngest dear coz just flattered me by accompanying me to the Egg Shell for a quick last breakfast to celebrate our fast approaching adventures; he's off to University! I'm so proud of this young man! And I really appreciated being able to give him a proper farewell.

In other news: CO Highway 71 through the Pawnee National Grasslands looks to be too daunting of a 120 mile stretch as only one or possibly two bushes pretending to be trees can be seen sheepishly overlooking the pavement, and what do I know, there could be lions and tigers and bears oh my! and I certainly wouldn't be in Kansas anymore Toto and even more certainly would have no protection whatsoever from Tornados, dehydration, nor from starvation. Not to mention that going that rout would add a right angle to my journey which, as we all know, is not the most efficient way to travel. I think I'll stick to CO Hwy 6 which skirts Interstate 76.

I've now got my route from Denver to Julesburg, CO mapped and ready, complete with hotel options, campgrounds and bike shoppes along the way. Praying for friendly weather gods and forgiving leg muscles.

Still prepping for it...

Thursday night and the mind is a rushing running screaming calling yelling bubbling and sputtering away! I'm very thankful to have shared a Chipotle burrito and free chips and guac with Whitey on Wednesday and to have partaken of a margarita fuertísima con Midori with Hil at Benny's to say adious and hasta la próxima tonight!

Tomorrow will be my procrastinator's fantasy of running around to tie up loose ends. Quick trip to Bicycle Village to get some info and some extra tubes, lube, slime, and the proper pump (as I fear my small hand pump will not make the cut on the 100 lb pressure needed for the tires). Gotta say my goodbyes in my hood and double check with Joe to make sure he's on board to do some watering and neighborly vigilance. Then, it's packing up I go. When night time rolls around, I hope to make one last trip to see Whitey where we'll do a filming session of my dangerous dance moves so that Rusty knows what he's gotten himself into.

Finally, on Saturday morning it's off to visit Ali in Montana! What's up Big Sky Country! Hoping for good weather and pleasant summer meanderings with little sis and big mama.

Monday, September 24th is take off day, Universe willing.

Random thoughts for the evening:

Brazilian Samba is characterized by an easy and mostly pleasant melody in the foreground with a strong, demanding and relentless syncopated beat in the background.

In life, we've got to be pleasant, easy and forgiving towards one another, and must never loose sight of our ground in a relentless forward motion of the thing that demands every ounce of our spirit.

We are constantly asked to take risks in life. If we accept we can live with the pride that comes from a challenge (failing or succeeding both being moot). Sometimes our willingness to take on these risks leaves us empty. Whenever I am left empty, may I always find a way to keep from filling with hate resentment and discouragement!

G'night ladies and gents.

Prepping for it 4.

Bike, Rear panniers, handlebar pack, seat pack, pump, jellybeans, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, hand sanitizer, floss, antiperspirant, cook stove, gas can, undies, socks, advil, excedrin migraine, bactine, and band-aids.  Checkity check check check!

I opened the jellybeans to make sure they hadn't spoiled and to lighten my load a bit... I can assure you that if I eat one of them each mile, the trip will be lovely!

Prepping for it 3.

A noche I went to dinner with my good buddy Clayton.  He kindly accompanied me to REI where I procured a small camp stove and a gas bottle as well as... taaadaaaaaa!  rear panniers!!!  AND, thanks to Mr. Carey's keen shopping sense, they were only 15 bucks for the pair!!!  Off to pick up my bike today and to begin fitting the various apparatus on it.  I'm just worried that I'll have to carry my baked beans in a cheesecloth bundled in a hanky and tied to wooden pole.   Pan-handling has also been a consideration.

Prepping for it 2.

It's 10:34pm in Denver.  Just back from an, as always, nice evening with Hil.  I'm confident in my ability to make the trip within the time constraints.  I'm even more psyched due to all of the things going on around me.  My cousin leaves for Grenada on Sunday.  The fact that he's going so far away and moreover that he'll be studying in MED SCHOOL!!!  inspires me to make my comparatively small journey.  Making lists also really help with the mental part of all of this.  Now I just have to remember to pick up my new bike so I can start riding the damned thing!

Prepping for it.

"Ok guys, so here's what were gonna do..."

Thinking back to the seemingly irrational coaching advice to us "Landsharks" (yes, thanks to dear old Dad, that was the name of our team) always given during a soccer match which our team was always ill-prepared for, I've encountered a striking resemblance to my mental processes with regard to my quickly approaching bicycle adventure.  The first rocket that my brain synapses fire is "just do it!" (no thanks to Nike) and shortly thereafter, a smattering of shrapnel including, "you just have to keep going," "you can stop when you want," "it'll be great alone time," "you could meditate!" "just you and the road," "think of all the cowboys you'll pass!" "a story to tell the grandchildren, or your even your faithful dog," "you'll be fine," and "don't let anyone stop you."  So, I start to feel like I really am "shooting from the hip" and it's a rush that is worth harnessing for me.  Then, just like the second quarter of all those soccer matches when the other team inevitably scored the first goal, the doubt sets in.  My brow furls and I start mulling over the comment that the girl at the Bass Pro Shop made to me at her little register underneath the monolithic elk's bust, "That's so neat you're going to ride so far!  You know you should really get a good flashlight and ya' know we've got some mace and bear spray upstairs near the rifles; you might wanna get some."  I start to flash on the pained or confused or disbelieving or simply skeptical faces of the mothers I know.  Those magical signs that the universe has left me start to shake sticks at me:  my father taking a face-plant somewhere on his bike and returning home with the face of belligerent drunk who got into a tussle, my uncle who's in better shape than I who fractured his hip, and my own sorry self who was broadsided by some b¡™¢h on her cellphone just the other day.  And then the anger sets in and I f-ing defy you stars!  Bring on the endless farm country and the saddle soreness!  Yeee haw!

Here's what I've got so far:

A new bike that I've yet to train with.

A squishy seat that I love and my butt loves it more.

A Cateye™ LED headlight and a taillight too.

A Helmet.

A basic tool set.

A rear rack.

Sweet!

Here's the basic structure of the ideas that I've been having about the scope of the trip, more or less:

I might have gone all the way to NYC were it not for more important things (you know who you are).  So, I've elected to cut my losses and meet up with my friend, Ms. Jackie Wolter in Goshen, IN as my final destination.

The distance from Denver to Goshen: aprox. 1,116 miles.

If I were to travel 60 miles per day I should reach the target in aprox. 18.6 days.

My route out of Colorado is covered, as is my route through Nebraska.  As for Iowa I'd like to follow the annual Iowa RAGBRAI route for this year.  Illinois is a bit more complicated and I'm still piecing together what I can about that state.  Indiana transportation authorities have a very helpful bike map of the Northwestern region of their state, so I' can get myself to La Porte.  From what I can tell, my journey from La Porte to Goshen might just have to be winged.