QUICK STATS

It's always a bit hard to leave after a really good rest day, but as we like to say, "Onward, and onward, and onward, and onward!" But of course before we could leave we had to have breakfast with our new friends, Dottie, Gene, and Bob.

They all shared a little something. Gene gave us some almond milk and pecans. Bob let us use his camping stove to heat up water and gave us some beef jerky that Dottie had given him earlier. And Dottie gave us some bread, peanut butter, orange marmalade, and pitas! April made them all touch each item we were given so that it would be a gift from all of them, that way we wouldn't have a "favorite".

Before we left, a couple of the bikers we'd met the day before rode by again, this time about thirty minutes apart. First came the retired jailer. He just wanted to stop by and wish us well on our trip. Then came the retired sheriff. We talked to him for a bit and found out he used to live in L.A., but didn't really like the crowdedness, so he came to Toronto, KS and loves it there!

Then it was off to the "open air" bathrooms for one last pit stop before we hit the road. April had a fun surprise when she pulled the toilet paper and a daddy long leg came out with it!

There wasn't a whole lot on the route this morning, but there was a new bike camp in Benedict we wanted to stop and see. Plus, the map said there were supplies there too.

We only had $1.95 cash because of the 50th celebration, but figured we'd get a can of veggies or something cold to drink. About that time Pastor Joe, who owned both the camp and the store came out. He told us to put our can of peas back and that "Pastor Joe will take care of ya!" Then he took our peas from April, put them back, and opened the door to a fridge full of yummy looking subs!

Pastor Joe told us to each pick a sub and some chips or fruit and a cold water and not to worry about it, he'd take care of it! Wow! We'd only intended to have a quick stop because we got a bit later start than we planned on, but how could we refuse free food? It's a bit like being in college all over again!

While we ate, Pastor Joe and the other two shop helpers, Ted and Inene, talked about their plans for the bike camp (including a repair shop!), gave us the background story for the store, and gave quite a presentation about their beliefs on what the Bible has to say about the end times. They also gave us a book by Michael Rood called "The Mystery of Iniquity" and some DVDs to watch "when we got a chance". It was all fairly interesting stuff, but we decided it didn't really change what we believe, though we may look into some of it more.

A little more than an hour later we were back on the road to Girard. Amazingly, it didn't take too long for us to be hungry again. Ok, maybe it's not that amazing.

Fortunately, we were getting close to Chanute. Unfortunately, April lost another nut, this time on a front pannier. Fortunately while we were stopped. Unfortunately, we're not sure why the thread lock we put on all the nuts is failing and only on her bags.

Fortunatelier, for our hungry tummies, we came to a Wal-Mart right on our route! We stopped for supplies and to get something to eat. Wanting to try something new, we bought two big pieces of naan, 10 oz of mesquite turkey, and some sliced swiss cheese plus a four pack of yogurt. By the time we were done, the only thing left was a few slices of cheese! As April's grandpa likes to say, "That oughta hold us 'til we can get to a restaurant."

On the road once again, it soon became apparent that our late start and then our long stop in Benedict would mean we weren't going to make it to Girard...we'd have to settle for Walnut.

Walnut was a tiny town with not much in it. The only store had closed for the day because it was Sunday. The park, where we were going to be camping, looked ok, but the bathrooms were full of trash and the toilets were full of dirt and all the water had been shut off for the winter. The map said to check in with the police, but we couldn't find a police station or a number to call.

So, April knocked on the door of the house across the street to ask if we could use their bathroom and fill our water bottles. They were really nice people and we ended up talking to them for a while.

Mike and Cheryl (or Sharon...we can't remember for sure) spent years driving an over-the-road truck together before retiring to Walnut. They had a bunch of stories to tell about the adventures they had and the good places to stop and eat! Mike had also served in Vietnam and was just finally getting help from the VA even though he'd applied as soon as he got back!! Needless to say, he's not to thrilled with the VA program.

When we went back to brush our teeth the weather was on. The weatherman said it would probably rain tomorrow and that currently the temperature was 11 degrees above average! I guess at least we haven't been snowed in anywhere, but with temps like that it feels more like we're riding in July than in October!

Hopefully we'll get a peaceful night's sleep in the park and not be awakened by the police wondering what we're doing there! Here's to another warm night in a small city park. Sweet Dreams!

Share this post