Day 4 Gothenburg, NE

I forgot to mention two interesting things we saw yesterday: several dust torandoes in fields and the most beautiful moon you could dream of.  Kansas is really a unique place with plains and hills and full of good people who are integral to the survival of our nation. It sure takes a lot to farm the way Kansans do and I have a new appreciation for the food on my plate. That moon was really a sight though, and the quiet that went along with it was a peace only few would understand.

On our way out of Tribune we took a shortcut down 6 miles of country road to get to paved...making it a little less tense riding. We got sun-burnt yesterday so getting back on the road and back in the sun today was tough. Luckily it was slightly overcast most of the way. We scooted right on up to our first stop of the day, the El Cuartelejo Pueblo Ruins on the site of the Scott Lake State Park. Very nice and scenic little ride through the place where the last Indian battle in Kansas took place.

We then headed back out on the highway to go to monument rock. Another 6 miles of country dirt road to get there but we made it and it was worth it:

 These formations are really impressive...full of fossils and striations. Literally in the middle of nowhere Kansas, again part of a cattle pasture, stand these enormous formations. Breathtaking really.

We trekked back the 6 miles to paved road. All in all I'm sure we traveled over 100 miles on dirt road these last two days. I hope we don't have to do that again. It was hot when we were standing still, but when we were on the bike it wasn't so bad. We saw several crop dusters and windmill farms on the way. We stopped and had a turkey sandwich in Oakley and took a nice ride all the way into Nebraska. The water hose is apparently magnetic to the road and took a short ride on it again right before we made it into NE. Oh well!


The hills in Nebraska are really nice:

We got to Gothenburg and set up camp. Devin ran to the local grocer and got chicken and peas and we had a nice grilled dinner and just relaxed.

 (I told you it was enormous; that's our queen size air mattress, the head is on the left side...)

While setting up camp, all of a sudden, all these wild turkeys go strolling right through, couple adults and several young. Really, they took their time, well at least until I got my camera. I think Devin counted 13!

We've avoided another storm with only a few sprinkles. Mic & Carol told us of how every time they go tent camping they get rained on...looks like we're keeping up their tradition! Tomorrow we head to Scottsbluff, NE and should have some really scenic riding.

Today we traveled 306.5 miles for a total of 1341.9 miles across America.