July 7th. Crawsfordville to Indianapolis, IN.

July 7th. Crawsfordville to Indianapolis, IN. Elevation: 708 ft. 62.5 miles. Very rainy morning plus lightening and thunder. The ride was delayed until it was safe to ride. Some cyclist decided to ride the van instead of riding their bikes. Skip and Fred, graduates of Wabash College invited Audrey and I to see the campus. Wabash College a small, quaint college was founded in 1832. Fred and Skip spoke to some of their old professors. On our way to Indianapolis we stopped at the Roarke Bicycle Factory, The Indianapolis Speedway, and the Major Taylor Velodrome.(2796,2797) Joey's Main Street Cafe,( 2798, 2801) Fred and Skip graduates of Wabash College, (2802,2803) Roarke Bicycle Factory, ( 2804,2806) Indianapolis' Motor Speedway, (2807,2808) Velodrome Movies, (2809) Major Taylor Velodrome Sign.

July 6th. Champaign to Crawsfordville, IN.

July 6th. Champaign to Crawsfordville, IN. Elevation: 788 ft. 87.2 miles. Rode with Skip, Tom Montville and Don along many farms w;here corn and soy beans are grown. All four of us got lost at the 8.4 mile mark. At the 1st. SAG stop we found out that we were the only ones that had gotten lost. At the Indiana State Line we took several pictures. We had lunch at the Bus Stop Restaurant in Veedersburg, IN. The owner and hostess of the restaurant was also a boxer and an artist. An interested lady! I indulged in a huge meal plus a big piece of raspberry pie, hence I was not able to continue riding at a fast pace and therefore; I fell behind the group. I was able to catch up later. In Crawsfordville we had dinner and breakfast at Joey's Main Street Cafe. (2788) soy bean plantation, (2789,2791,2793), Indiana State Line, (2794,2795) The Bus Stop Restaurant.

July 5th. Springfield to Champaign,IL.

July 5th. Springfield to Champaign,IL. Elevation: 738 ft. 97 miles. I started early-one of the 1st. ones out of the hotel. I decided to ride in the front as much as possible. It was a windy day and I rode with a pace-line of about 11 members. The road narrowed and the group pace-line fell apart. Rub Swordly, whose girl friend had just joined us the previous night to ride the remainder of the way had an accident (broke his clavicle ). Rub and his girl friend (Terry) left us the following day. I was pleased with myself because even though I was exhausted I continued hammering and managed to come in with the fast group. I forced myself to keep up with the pace. (2785) Site of Lincoln's Cabin, (2786) Holy Name Church, Champaign, IL. (2787) Park in Champaign.

July 4th. Quincey to Springfield, IL

July 4th. Quincey to Springfield, IL. Elevation 610 ft. 109.6 miles. Started out slow, but soon got into my rhythm. The town of Liberty had USA flags decorating many of the buildings. The town of Meredosia was preparing for a 4th. of July party-it was very tempting to stop and buy a hot dog. (2763) a resort just outside of Liberty, (2764) a sign entering the city of Liberty, (2766) Springfield, IL. state capitol, (2767) Lincoln's statue, (2768) Myself in front of radio/TV van, (2770) State Capitol, (2771&2772) Lincoln' House, (2773) sample of Lincoln's House before 2nd. floor addition, (2774) Receiving Room in Lincoln's House, (2775) same as previous, (2776) Lincoln's bed, (2777) Lincoln's favorite desk, (2778)co mode, (2779) wife's bed, (2780) kitchen, ( 2781, 2782, 2783) Lincoln's Tomb.

July 3rd. Kirksville to Quincy, IL.

July 3rd. Kirksville to Quincy, IL. Elevation 488 ft. 97 miles. Today was the day everyone dreaded, but expected-we were overdue for a heavy down pour. I dressed in a complete rain gear-rain pants, booties, and a red rain proof jacket. The irony is that I didn't get wet from the rain, but from my own perspiration. The endless, continuous hills took its toll on our hamstrings. The rain and the strong headwinds made it more difficult. Rub Swordly from Pennsylvania, Tom Montville and I rode together. Met Michelle, had a piece of pie and loaded our bicycle into the van to be shuttled across the flooded Mississippi. As we were shuttled across the Mississippi River from Missouri to Qunicy,IL, we saw the excessive sand and sand bags in an effort to reinforce the levees.

July 2nd. Chillicothe to Kirksville,MO.

July 2nd. Chillicothe to Kirksville,MO. Elevation: 965 ft. 83.1 miles. Today was a rainy day, but actually, it was not too bad. The rain was actually refreshing, the bad thing is that you had to clean the bike. Rode with Tom Montville, Professor of microbiology at Rutgers' University. We helped each other all the way to Kirksville. Took a picture of a sign that read Laredo, MO. 8 miles. You may notice that the elevation was 965 ft., but the terrain is extremely hilly (like a perpetual roller coaster)that we actually climbed 5,180 ft. (2761) A beautiful house in huge lot with its' won pond, (2762) Laredo, MO. sign.

July 1st. St. Joseph to Chillicothe, MO.

July 1st. St. Joseph to Chillicothe, MO. Elevation 823 ft. 89.4 miles. I felt strong and decided to ride by myself. At Jamesport,MO. there is an Amish Restaurant with a variety of excellent pies. I had the red raspberry pie with ice cream. The newspaper of Jamesport took pictures of several cyclist and will print an article in the local newspaper. (2760) Jamesport SAG stop.

June 30th. Rest Day-St. Joseph,MO.

June 30th. Rest Day-St. Joseph,MO. Did my laundry and cleaned my bike. Jerry and Sandra Mogg, went out of their way to shuttle us from hotel to down town all day long. Jerry had ridden with America by bike before and therefore he knew we were going to be in St. Joseph. (2754) Pony Express Museum, (2755 Info. on the pony express, (2757) water hydrant with hose for a fence, (2759) Jesse James House.

June 29th. Topeka,KS. to St. Joseph, MO.

June 29th. Topeka,KS. to St. Joseph, MO. Elevation: 823 ft. 89 miles. Great Day! Regained my confidence- I was not dropped and rode much better. On way to St. Joseph we passed through Atchison, KS. (known for the famous " Atchison,Topeka and Santa Fe railroad lines. Atchison is also birthplace of Amelia Earhart. In Atchison we cross the Missouri River and left Kansas and entered Missouri River Valley. In St. Joseph we entered the park way, a beautiful road and were greeted by the most hospitable couple (Jerry and Sandra Mogg). Jerry went out of his way to signal us to his shaded yard where he had chairs and reclining chairs arranged. He treated us with snacks, lemonade and Tea. (2747) Leaving Kansas sign by the bridge,(2748) Pictures of the Missouri, (2750 & 2751) Missouri Sign, (2752 & 2753) Jerry &Sandra Mogg and the generous hospitable treat........

June 28th. Abilene to Topeka, KS.

June 28th. Abilene to Topeka, KS. Elevation: 940 ft. 118 miles. This was a horrible day for me. The terrain was totally strange to me; it was like ribbon of rolling hills one after another all the way to Topeka, KS. (118 miles). I was so frustrated with myself that I got lost (.5 miles before Dover,KS.). I had been contemplating on a piece of pie in Dover ( known for its rhubarb pie). Past Dover I caught with Kip (from N. Carolina)and gave me some pointers on how to ride the rolling hills.(2743) Me on top of a bale of hay, (2744) Lake Wanbaunsee on way to Topeka, (2745) Art work depicting a bicycle.

June 27th. McPherson to Abilene,KS.

June 27th. McPherson to Abilene,KS. Elevation: 1,155 ft. 64.3 miles. The night at McPherson was very stormy, we were all concerned about the following morning being to wet of a ride. It turn out to be a beautiful day. 6.1 miles out of McPherson we turn left towards the town to Canton, KS. ( a beautiful country road all the way to Abilene, KS. Took some pictures in front of a farmers house because it's unique mail box. We also spoke to him about the economy of the country- he explain to us how the media tries to make us believe that because of ethanol now the cost of cattle feed is more expensive -not true-after corn is processed for ethanol they feed the corn to the cattle. In Abilene (Skip, Don and I ) went to the Eisenhower Museum. (2724) Hot/Cold water tanks in Canton, KS. , (2725) Very green pasture and healthy looking cattle, (2726) C.J. and Kip, (2727) Oil Rig , (2728 and 2729) mail box, (2730) Skip, Don and I at AB official 1/2 way point, (2731 and 2732 )Creative photo at 1/2 way point, (2733) Don's cheer leading jump, (2734) Don by the Chisholm Trail sign, (2735) Eisenhower Statue and museum grounds, (2738 & 2739) Murals inside of museum, (2740) Chapel where family is buried.

June 26th. Great Bend to McPherson, KS

June 26th. Great Bend to McPherson, KS. Elevation: 1,490 ft. 64.3 miles. Passed through the town of Ellinwood, KS., where wheat is King. The light poles are decorated with metal wheat plants.

June 25th. Dodge City to Great Bend,KS.

June 25th. Dodge City to Great Bend,KS. Elevation 1,843 ft. 85.3 miles. On the way to Great Bend, still following the Arkansas River we came to the city of Kinsley,KS. (halfway point between San Francisco and New York City). The SAG stop was at the park where the famous Sod House is located. The store where Sod House is preserved is worth the stop. (2716, 2717,2718) crazy photos in front of locomotive, (2719) Midway USA sign, (2720,2721,2722).

June 24th. Garden City to Dodge City KS.

June 24th. Garden City to Dodge City KS. Reunited with the cycling group after 4 days while attending Alissa's and Dave's lovely wedding. Garden City to Dodge City KS. Elevation 2,830 ft. 51.3 miles. The highway is filled with cattle trucks, feedlots and grain silos. Dodge City looks abandoned and economically depressed. Over 5 million head o longhorn cattle were driven up from Texas to Dodge City to be loaded on the train. Peace officers Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson resided at one time in Dodge City. ((2710) Don getting a close-up of the cattle, (2711) Santa Fe Trail tracks (2712) Monument in Dodge City dedicated to the longhorns, (2713 ) Hetty from Holland and Shurghe in his western hat and marshal badge, (2714) Grain Silo, (2715) Railroad tracks with silo in background.

June20th. Salida To Pueblo,CO.

June20th. Salida To Pueblo,CO. Elevation: 4,690 ft. 94.3 miles. Drove the rental car from Salida to Pueblo following the Arkansas River ( a beautiful canyon). Visited the Royal Gorge. (2648) John Douglas relaxing, (2649 Movie of Don and Skip coming down the Arkansas Canyon( a very beautiful and colorful canyon ride, (2650) Royal Gorge Sign, ((2653) Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, (2554) same as previous, (2655) Albino buffalo, (2656) Royal Gorge Arkansas River -1053 ft., (2657) Royal Gorge and Arkansas River below making a bend, (2659) Myself on Suspension bridge, (2663)Self photo with Royal Gorge on the background.

June 19th. Gunnison to Salida,CO.

June 19th. Gunnison to Salida,CO. Elevation: 7,038 ft. 66.1 miles. Today I picked up the rental car for the wedding. Skip drove with me to Salida; we stopped at Monarch Pass, where Skip gave encouraging word and helped the riders with their bikes as they reached the summit. (2639)Monarch Pass, (2640) Richard (from Ireland); Audrey; Steve(from Tasmania); Shurghe(Trinidad/Tobago); Myself, (2641) Same as previous plus Skip King, (2642) Shurghe by Monarch Pass sign, (2643)Snow covered mountains around Monarch Pass, (2644) Monarch pass Scenic Ride, (2645)Store at Monarch Pass.

Good night and so long!

June 18th. Montrose,CO to Gunnisson, CO.

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June 18th. Montrose to Gunnison, CO. Elevation: 7,681 ft. 63.3 miles. The scenery was majestic. Our 50 members rode withe 2500 other cyclist (Ride the Rockies Group) the same route. Ride the Rockies Group know how to party; they had food stands, water, smoothies, photographers, TV media coverage and " KAIBOS! Today's ride included two huge climbs: 1st. Cerro Summit which 7 miles with a grade of 7 or 8% and a very strong headwind ( I could only go 4 or 5 miles/hr. 2nd. Climb was 8 miles ( a constant gradual climb, we reach 8,000 ft. of elevation. Stopped at Gunnison Lake Resort where and bought myself a delicious smoothie. I got caught up with Don and his nephew (Scott). At the Day's Inn in Gunnison, Maria, the maid from Nayarit,Mexico was eating her lunch very deliciously and shared 2 corn tortillas with some Picadillo. (2625) The beginning of 1st. climb from Montrose to Gunnison, (2626) Cerro Summit, (2627) Cerro Summit descent, (2628)Movie of the 1st. SAG stop, (2629) Close to 1000 cyclist resting at 1st. SAG stop, (2630) 2nd. climb- a photo of a rock ridge formation, (2632) A view from above looking down, (2633) 2nd. SAG station on top of summit, (2634) Richard (Ireland); Shuresh (Trindad/Tobago); myself at 2nd. SAG station, (2635) myself at 2nd rest station, (2636&2637) a beautiful canyon on way to Gunnison, (2638) Gunnison Lake Resort.

June 17th Grand Junction to Montrose,CO.

Grand Junction to Montrose, Co. Elevation: 5,820 ft. 70.2 miles. We started at 7:35 am; we were shown the way out of Grand Junction because of heavy construction, by Susan, a local cyclist. Susan did Across America previously and acted as a welcoming committee to Grand Junction. Before arriving to Grand Junction she parked her car under a bridge (for shade) and stopped each one of us and presented us with H2O and a frozen fruit flavored icy. (2618) Farmhouse on top of a mesa, (2621) American Flag "Land of the Free-Because of our Brave" (2622) Highest Mesa in the world-10,000 ft. high, (2623) Snow capped mountains of Colorado in the horizon, (2624) View of snow capped mountain outside of Montrose,CO.

June 16th. Green River to Grand Junction, CO.

Green River to Grand Junction,CO. Elevation: 4,590 ft. 96.5 miles. Don Chism and I were riding extremely well in the heat, keeping ourselves hydrated. It was a very hot day, we were riding very fast that we missed the 2nd. SAG stop which was somewhat disconcerting because we were without water and had not eaten anything. Other riders (Bill, Wayne and Steve from Australia) kindly shared H2O with us. Crossing the Colorado River I had a flat, thanks to Don we quickly fixed the flat. In Fruita, a small town, Don and I had lunch. (2610) La Sal Mountains in Colorado, (2612) Cactus flower in bloom, (2613) a patch of Cactus flowers, (2614) Welcome to Colorado sign, (2615) same as previous, (2617) Utah Winter Olympic Games sign.

june 15th. Price to Green River, UT.

Price to Green River, UT. Elevation 4,080 ft. 67.2 miles. Green River is a small town, we arrived early due to a strong tailwind. Walked across the Green River Bridge which at the present time is very high due to the melting in Wyoming (its origin). Bought ice cream, ate it while I was socializing with some truckers that were watching car racing from Michigan. (2599) Gary/Debra from Chicago and Forrest, (2600) desert mesa, (2601) movie of the arid landscape in Provo County, (2605) two bikes reclining on a gate and a rock formation, (2607) me by the hot sunny road overlooking the mesa ridge, (2608) more mesas, (2609) the Green River in Green River, UT.