Day 56: Yates Center, KS

Day 56

July 11, 2015

Miles: 67

Cassoday to Yates Center

It was tough sleeping last night; it was humid and sticky, and because it had rained earlier the grass remained wet all night long.  Anything left out during the night was wet in the morning.  Additionally, the city park where we tented was located across the street from a train station.  As it turns out, the Kansas freight train runs continuously during the night hours.  Steve said he heard the train twice, but I heard it more like 7 times.  So this morning as we planned our route, landing in a town with a hotel was a priority.  We settled on Yates Center, about 67 miles.

This morning we got up at about 7:00a.  The Country Store, where we had dinner the night before, was the only place that we could get breakfast and a coffee.  It didn't open until 8:00a so we took our time to pack the tent and our bikes. We said goodbye to Vera and then left for the Country Store at about 7:55a. We had a fast food breakfast again this morning :(  The Country Store only had food that could be found in a either a can, a package or in the freezer.  It was fuel, nothing more.

Me filling up water bottles

My obsession with the wind continues. It was definitely a much better day with the wind. We had about 17 miles of a 16-18 mph head wind - really tough riding this morning to Rosalia followed by about 50 miles of a S/SW wind to Eureka then to Yates Center as we rode East. Because of the a late start this morning (10:30a) and long lunch we didn't arrive into Yates Center until 7:10p.

The highlights - during the ride today, I rescued a turtle that I spotted on the road.  I moved him to the side of the road.

This is James below.  James is from England.  We met him during our lunch break in Eureka.  He came rolling in from the East and is riding West.  He's been touring since May 9th and he started in Maine.  So far he has 3000 miles behind him.  After 10 years working for a startup company, now 250 employees, he left the company to unwind and explore.  He plans to head to China to do some hiking after he finishes his bike tour in the states.  James has a Garmin like mine.  He had all the Garmin maps for the US.  He was generous enough to give us a copy.  Good guy!

We rode through the Flint Hills today all day.  Lots of ups and downs.   We climbed about 2000ft in total for the day.  We haven't climbed this much since Colorado.   

 A little Kansas history ...

Extra pics -

Before we left the hostel in Newton a couple of nights ago we took a picture with the owner James.

Newton Hostel

Last night while we were held up at the Country Store until the storm passed, we were fortunate to have met Laura-Lee.  She ran the store. Nice lady!

Laura-Lee

Before I end tonight, I want to say congratulations to Lexi and Happy Birthday to Aleria Skye.  My niece Lexi had a baby girl yesterday (7 lbs 4oz), so Aleria Skye is two days old today!

We are headed to Iola, then Garnett tomorrow.