Miles – 0
Miles From Start/To Finish – 2,454/1,891
Ave Riding Speed – 0 mph
Hours Start to Finish – 0
Weather – Partly Cloudy and 86
It was a pretty lazy day today. I didn’t get up until 8:15am and went down to the hotel breakfast nook at the Super 8 and had breakfast while Kim continued sleeping. I had the biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and bacon with coffee. There was one other guy in the room, but he was back in the corner of the room and a 24-hour national, more entertainment opinion than actual news, news channel was on the TV and the volume was up pretty high, so we each silently ate our breakfast while I drowned out the divisive blabber. I would have gone back to my room to eat, but Kim was sleeping, so I powered through my meal as quick as I could. Interestingly, we’ve been to some hotels during this adventure that said they don’t turn the available TV’s on in the hotel common areas because the 24-hour news channels create too much drama between hotel guests. The cynicism and great divide, fueled by these, so-called, news channels, in the greatest country in the world, our “United” States, makes me sad. Maybe everyone should turn the TV off, walk next door and hug thy neighbor and and get back to what we have in common; really. On a lighter note, as I was leaving breakfast, Kim walked in the room, so I poured another cup of coffee and went back for seconds, while Kim had cereal and a cup of coffee.
Our goals for the day were to wash our laundry, find some electrolyte Nuun Tabs, sunscreen, a cheap haircutting set and a full-size bike tire pump. After breakfast we walked a half-mile to Dillons Food Store. Kim checked out their website and they said they had Nuun tabs, but we came up empty handed and settled with picking up some sunscreen. On the walk home we passed a Walgreens and thought we check for Nuun tabs there. We scored and bought enough Nuun tabs for a couple weeks. We walked back to the hotel and dropped off our packages.
We then walked to Walmart, a couple blocks in the opposite direction to see what they had for a haircutting kit and bike pump. I found an electric haircutting kit for $12 and the bike pump selection was not the quality I was looking for and they were bulky.
We returned to our hotel room and I went to work giving myself a haircut with a #2 blade and trimmed my facial hair. It felt good to get cleaned up and feel a little more aerodynamic. Kim washed a load of laundry with the hotel coin-operated laundry machines and started reading a new book she bought at Walmart. Yesterday she finished a book from our friend Margaret, author and dear friend, called I Know an Old Lady. Kim really enjoyed the book and ironically it took place in Kansas and the main character Billy rode his bike everywhere. You can order it on Amazon! 😊
I adjusted my seat and tilted the front up a couple degrees from the previous position and we’ll see if that can relieve some on the hand pressure tomorrow. Justin and Janell from the Transformation Club in Chanhassen gave me a few exercises and stretches for my hands, so I’ve been working on that.
Midafternoon we walked back to Applebee’s for a lunch/dinner. Kim ordered a salad and I ordered chicken and mashed potatoes. It was once again another nice change of pace from a burger. On the walk home we passed Wendy’s and Kim got thinking about ice cream. I mentioned we should go big and stop at Walmart for Ben & Jerry’s. I’m a Chunky Monkey fan and Kim had the Americone Dream We returned to our room and ate our ice cream watching Modern Family.
We’ll spend the rest of the evening preparing for tomorrows ride, continuing east and anticipating about 55 miles.
The picture is of our Map #8. We have 12 maps total; we’re making progress! The overall map folds into smaller map sections with detailed mileage information and directions and fits into our clear plastic covered handlebar bag. On the back of the map is a list of towns by map section and includes details for food, accommodations and bike shops.
