Hello All!
I am happy to say: "I SURVIVED KANSAS!!!!!!!" We all left Topeka, KS early on Sunday, day 29. It started out with a nice cool rainfall that lasted about a half-hour. In the beginning, we waited to see it would pass...it didn't. Once that rain did stop, we were then blessed with a fabulous headwind all day long! -- Hey, I know it could've been worse...it could have been a tornado!!! This day actually was one of the stronger headwinds that I encountered, but as soon as we crossed the state line, and rode into Missouri, it seemed the wind almost stopped immediately!
Prior to crossing the state line, we stopped for lunch in a small town in Kansas named Atchison (again, I may have misspelled this!). This town is the hometown of Amelia Earhart. I actually took a quick detour after lunch to ride to her home where she was born (and I believe lived) prior to riding over the bridge and crossing over the Missouri river. Thanks for waiting for me Norb and Carole!!!
Most of the scenery up to this point was similiar to our trip ot Topeka. There were a few flat corn and wheat fields, but the majority of the scenery was green with hills. After we crossed the state line, it was clear that we were in a new state! Missouri is completely green, with lots of trees, and lots of steep rolling hills. It was a pretty challenging day, with the strong winds, and the steep hills -- especially after riding flat for so many days!
Once entering into St. Joseph Missouri, the hills started to flatten out. The population here is about 73,000. It reminds me a lot like Ft. Collins actually. There is only one hospital out here, and I found out today (rest day) that people out here are super friendly!
Day 30 - Rest Day...
Today, Leigh, (another rider here on the trip from Seattle, WA) and I decided to go for another massage/spa day today. Uhhhh, it wasn't quite what we had hoped it to be! We both kind of went blindly into this place as all the other spas here are closed on Monday, and this is the only one that called us back. I think I was my therapist first paying client! (He kept thanking me for the opportunity to do this massage) and he seemed bothered over the fact that he had forgotten to put on the music. He did get some kinks out of my back, but overall, I was glad that Leigh was right next door! Well, I guess we all gotta start somewhere! God- Bless the man who I started my first IV on!!!
Afterwards, Leigh's therapist offered to drive us to lunch (which was a mile from the office we were at). She was very sincere in that she didn't want us to walk in the hot sun for a whole mile! What a difference, and change from NYC! Can you imagine if a massage therapist ever offered you a ride anywhere in NY? It was just too funny!
Prior to our massages, we also went and saw the Psychiatric Museum, and the Joseph Museum that had interesting artifacts and Indian displays, along with some Civil war displays. After the massage, we took a cab to The Patee House Museum and Jesse James home.
The cab driver shared with us that he was originally from Oregon, and as he put it, "got stuck here in Missouri." An ex- girlfriend from high school had contacted him after her divorce, and he came out here. He then said he met his now wife while taking classes at the community college out here. He shared how it didn't work out with his ex- girlfriend because she was crazy. She had gone to her ex-husband's wedding, and wore all black, with a black veil. Interesting how friendly and open everyone out here is!
The cab driver also shared how there is a cool motorcycle ride that is taken every september down the pony express trail. For any of you motor-riders, it sounds like a really fun trip to look into!
So, the Patee House Museum was very interesting to walk through. It had lots of interesting displays, like the first mailcar by train, and an old flag that has only 13 stars on it, and another with 36 stars! The Jesse James house was interesting too! I found it ironic that there had been a 10 grand reward for the capture of Jesse James. The man who shot him dead was then charged with murder instead....this was quickly overturned by some judge though. I also found it interesting that there was a display of the offspring/relatives of Jesse James. I don't know if I would be so proud to have my pic displayed all over, announcing that I am the great-great grandchild of some bank robber! That's just me tho!
The old town of St. Joseph, where all the museums are, close relatively early -- around 5pm. So, there were lots of thing like the Pony Express Museum and the old firehouse museum that we were unable to see. We did walk down to riverfront park. Apparently there is a walking/bike trail that leads to casinos that are allowed on the water boats only. It was so hot at that point, we just went back to the hotel, then ate dinner next door at some BBQ restaurant.
Tomorrow is a long day again. It will be 89 miles, and we are biking from St. Joseph, MO to Chillicothe, MO. So, I am signing off for the night!
Talk to you all later! Meiri.
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