DAY TWO

When you live with nature, you are one with nature. I was up at the crack of 8:00, maybe 8:05, and packed and ready to go by 9:00. The sky was completely overcast and I put on my rainsuit pants in preparation for some drops. It was quite cool as I began the 30 mile ride north to Johnson City for some milk to go with my rice chex.

I expected rain drops anytime but none came. I pulled into a convenience store about 9:30 and bought a single of milk and a single of OJ. When I vacation, I treat myself, so it was WHOLE milk. Tasted like drinking whip cream. The store just happened to have a picnic table out in front. It was covered in dead flies. I brushed them off and unpacked my duffle. I pulled out my rice chex, bowl, bag of sugar and spoon. After downing a bowl and a quick washup, I was back on highway 27 heading north.

Some think of western Kansas as flat and empty. I see it as big sky country, uninhibited by things that block your view like hills and trees and signs of human existence. You don’t feel cramped or rushed in the west and you can see the weather you will be having in an hour, up ahead. Fortunately, what I saw was sky beginning to turn blue and sun peaking through clouds.

As I headed north through Syracuse, Tribune, Sharon Springs and Goodland, the weather turned fine and the bike cruised smooth. I knew I was ahead of schedule so I planned to push on to Mankato for supper and then 20 miles or so north to Lovewell Resevoir. I had camped there before and knew they had warm showers.

Coming out of Wendy’s after lunch, I realized I had no bath towel, wash cloth or soap. Bummer. So, I rode across the street to good old Walmart, where I purchased a towel. I figured I could use my shampoo for soap and a sock I was wearing for a wash cloth. It was only later that I remembered I hadn’t brought along shampoo either. There were handsoap dispensers at Lovewell. (Didn’t want to keep you in suspense.)

I rode north to St Francis and had to go west 4 miles to get my city limit picture. I then headed east on 36, the only highway I was going to take all the way across the state to the eastern border.

It wasn’t too long before the flat wide-open turned into hilly wide open. Thank the Lord He didn’t call me to be a farmer or rancher in western Kansas. Thank Him too that he did call some hardy souls to serve. I saw several lovely fields of sunflowers and one farmer harvesting his sunflower field with a combine. I suppose that’s the only way to do it.

Ever onward and eastward until I reached Mankato about 5:00 pm. I rode through town to the Buffalo Roam restaurant, where I had eaten a year before on an ill-fated attempt at a motorcycle camping trip. That’s another cold and wet story. Let’s hope I don’t have the same kind of luck tomorrow in the AM that I had then. The restaurant was having it’s Tuesday night buffet. All I could eat chicken, brisket, and fish with all the fixin’s. I always struggle to be equal to the challenge of getting my money’s worth at a buffet. I was successful once again and waddled out to mount my bike.

It’s about 18 miles north and east to the campground at Lovewell. The sunset was beautiful. The water level was about 9 feet down from usual so the water was a ways from the normal shoreline. But the shorebirds didn’t seem to mind as there were a number of herons, both white and great blue. Flocks of ducks were enjoying the fine evening as well. Riding into the park I had seen several flocks of wild turkey. My only picture of them came out a little fuzzy.

I made camp, overlooking the lake and had a shower. Lovewell has great facilities. I highly recommend it. I read a little in my book and made an early night of it. I’d ridden 413 miles today. No coyotes tonight. Tonight it was hoot owls. Not scary. Wonderful to hear. Lots of night noises too. It’s not quiet in the country but it is very peaceful.