Arrived safely in Holdrege, NE

Good evening everyone.

"A traveler without observation is a bird without wings" Moslih Eddin Saadi

The library is about to close so this post will have to wait until tomorrow.

Hastings to Holdrege

I'm on my way out the library door...

PS: Thanks to all for your encouraging feedback. You are with me in spirit on this ride.
For those who want to post a comment, simply click on the word "comments". (not the icon)

No cell service here so posting photos is not possible. Photos will be posted eventually.

Welcome to the birthplace of Kool-Aid

Good morning from a cool and rainy Hastings, NE.

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." Susan Heller

Not surprisingly, many who bicycle long distance tours prefer to ride in cooler rather than warmer temperatures. This is certainly my take on the matter. Yesterday, temperatures never exceeded 60 degrees and this made for comfortable riding.
Tom and I meandered the early hours of the riding day, stopping for coffee and lunch. He, of course was in a beautiful Corvette and I on a spiffy bicycle. Funny how he would drive ahead and the next thing you know I would appear on the horizon. Riding conditions were outstanding. Picture a strong north/north-east wind pushing me along my south westerly route.
Along the way Tom and I encountered such friendly people who took a genuine interest in our travel. While in Friend, we met Edward who was on a 3-1/2 year journey around the U.S.
God speed to you Edward.
Another interesting person was Georgia Walter, who along with her husband Hillman, reside in Porto Velho, Brazil. They are missionary assistants that assist a flying service providing help to those in remote jungle areas. (Joanna, isn't it amazing that you can meet a foreign missionary on a bicycle trip)
Parting time had arrived and Tom now was on his way to Omaha.
It was sad to see Tom go, but we had enjoyed a memorable twenty-four hours.
I kept pedaling and Tom, I thought, had started his trip back to Omaha.
Well, with Tom another surprise was just an hour away.
Just as I approached the Grafton boundary, Tom jumped out from behind a fertilizer tank and startled me. This encounter was even more shocking than yesterday's first surprise. Tom, you are amazing and so resourceful. We will remember this experience forever.

Sue, who manages the Grafton convenience store (owned by her brother), was such a nice person. We also met Bill, & Frank (your directions to Hastings were right on.). It just was a typical Sunday in small town Nebraska. By the way, Grafton has a population of 167.
After lots of conversation I departed for points west, and Tom finally headed to Omaha.

Thanks to favorable winds and cool temperatures, I made it all the way to Hastings, NE.
Ninety-five miles for the day, wow, that really feels great. Arriving in a nice Hastings motel I was forced to break a cardinal rule. That rule is, never get back on the bicycle after you have a shower, and have called it quits for the day. Well, if I wanted dinner, I would have to ride a mile into town and then a mile back. Hunger took priority so it was back on the bike.

(A sidebar for my mother) Hello Mom! I want you to know that it's OK to worry about me and for my safety. I love you, and thank you and Dad for all that you did for me. I have been so blessed in life with a loving wife, a wonderful family, great friends, outstanding co-workers, and the best Mom. You did a real good job Mom, so kick-back, relax, and enjoy yourself.

Rain is falling now and it's a little chilly (52 degrees). I will depart Hastings right after finishing this posting. Long sleeve shirt is on as well as my rainsuit. The journey continues on US Highway 6. By the way, US 6 is an fine road for bicycling. Wide paved shoulders and limited traffic are just right for bicycling.

Fact: Kool-Aid was developed here in Hastings, NE, by Edwin Perkins in 1927.
This information confirmed by Kathryn, a most helpful and friendly librarian.

Let it rain, but please, softly.

Breakfast with Tom

Tom and I enjoyed a really nice evening in Lincoln.
It's cool this morning so bicycling should be comfortable.

Crossing the Platte River

Durring the next several days I will try to upload all of the older image files. Enjoy your Sunday.

A Nebraska "Surprise of a lifetime" (Elkhorn to Lincoln)

"They change their climate, not their soul, who rush across the sea." Horace

You won't believe what happened today.
Nick Gunderson decided to bicycle with me for about twenty miles, so we started pedaling, and were enjoying a nice Saturday morning in Nebraska. After stopping for lunch in a small cafe, Nick and I parted company. He took off for home, and I continued west on Route 6 towards Waverly.

Earlier this week, my friend, Tom had arranged for some type of real-time satellite imaging. This would allow Tom to actually see me on the bicycle. How cool is that technology?
We had spoken every day concerning logistical issues about this service. After I leave Nick and about a mile ahead I notice a person walking my direction alongside the road. Immediately, I thought it might be a hiker or possibly someone down on his luck. As I passed this person I said, "hello"and then amazingly, the person turned, looked at me, and said, "Hey Captain." It was my friend Tom Costello all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio. He developed this plan in the past week and it worked beautifully. The satellite imaging was just an excuse to determine my location.

I was speechless and felt like I might have a heart attack or faint. This was an incredible surprise to see your friend here in Nebraska, on the side of a road.
Tom, you are simply the best and most amazing person in the world. Thanks for sharing a surprise that will indeed last a lifetime. Finally, we were calm enough to resume the journey and headed directly to a convenience store for refreshments.

Tom, in his Corvette drove ahead and checked road conditions and scouted potential motels.
He discovered that if I went much further West, it would be a night of camping.
So after driving about one-hundred miles, Tom located a perfect motel. He checked us in and now we are in the city of Lincoln, looking for a nice place to have dinner. I'm positive that our conversations will last long into the night. (Note: Tom and I, for many years motorcycled around the country. We estimate our travels together to exceed 40,000 miles and 35 states)

Tomorrow, Tom heads to Omaha to pick up his bride Annie, and together they are traveling to Clear Lake, IA, and then to Michigan's upper peninsula. May you both have a great trip home.
For me, tomorrow will be about riding and only riding. I'm just too shocked to do anything else.

Tom at point of encounter

An Incredible Encounter

I have just experienced the most amazing surprise of my life. My dearest friend, Tom Costello, from Cincinnati just appeared roadside as I was biking to Waverly, NE.
You can't imagine my expression as Tom said " Hi Captain". I am just shaking with joy and total disbelief.

More details later...

Sailing in the breeze at 14-1/2 mph

Good morning from Omaha!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Yesterday was simply the best. While leaving the Tekamah library I happened to strike a conversation with Joyce, head librarian. She was excited to learn about my trip and offered words of encouragement. When you think of an ideal and perfect librarian, picture Joyce.

On the road things were moving quickly. With a superb tailwind, the bicycle was moving close to fifteen miles per hour. This was a far cry from the previous six days. I relished the speed and sunshine and just kept booking.

Stopping in Blair, NE I happened to meet Jim Realph (pronounced Ralph just with a tricky spelling). Guess what, Jim is the current mayor of this fine city (pop 8000) and his enthusiasm spilled into our conversation. Blair has lots of significant industrial operations including a new ethanol plant and a major investment by Cargill. The streets are nicely maintained and people were very friendly. The city is just thirty minutes to Omaha's airport and is well prepared for future development. Good job, Mr. Mayor. (Jim was a former high school football coach, teacher, and still farms a little.)

While fueling the bike (food for Dennis), I talked to Roy who had an older pick-up and a beautiful
white lab named "Brutte". As Roy drove off with Brutte in the open bed I couldn't help thinking about how wonderful this day was.

Then, after several days without any way of uploading images from my phone to this blog, I found a Sprint Store in a few miles from my destination. Justin, a sales rep greeted me at the door and asked, how can I help you today? He proceeded to spend the next ninety minutes working on my Treo 700wx. Eventually, with the help of Sprint's national tech service he was able to get it working. Thanks to Justin, I am now able to immediately upload images in real time. I will try to catch up all the backlog over the next several days. Justin, you are a model of superior customer service. Thanks!

I arrived at the Gunderson's and spent an enjoyable evening reconnecting with our old friends.
We celebrated Greta's birthday (11), and just had a great time. Nick, Angelique, Greta, Eva,
and Tommy, are such a fun family. Love is alive in America!
Neighbors Matt, and Angie, who also have three children dropped by to say hello. They had just relocated back to Omaha after four years in Chicago. Matt, go for that new Lemond Bicycle.
You will really enjoy it.

It's Saturday about 8:10 am and Nick is preparing to bicycle with me for 15 or 20 miles.
Sunny with a projected high of 76. No wind.

Have a great day.

Next stop: Milford, NE (West of Lincoln)

Greta's eleventh birthday

Safe and sound at the Gunderson's home in Omaha, NE.

Justin, my hero.

Justin, a technical customer service super star.

Thanks for all you did in restoring imaging service to my phone. See you on the next trip.

The finest "Mom & Pop" motel in the world...

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" Helen Keller

Well, it's almost good afternoon and I'm still in Tekamah. Cathy just phoned and reminded me that Omaha is still a long way to go. It's hard to explain the way these small towns just seem to make you feel at home. The feeling that people care about you, and your safety is so powerful.

Back to last evening: I enjoyed pizza in Decatur, and even though it was after 5:00 pm, I decided to continue riding. The day had been cloudy and warm, and the headwinds strong. Tekamah was still sixteen miles ahead. Once pedaling, the temperature began to drop and suddenly the wind stopped. The road was level and lightly traveled. Wow, I'm enjoying this ride!
Then it happened, light rain at first followed by a serious downpour. Rain suit and headlight on, I continued riding. In a strange way it was mystical. An occasional truck would pass as the rain fell. With no idea of what was ahead, and an earlier message from Cathy saying there were no hotels in Tekamah, I just accepted my fate, that it would be another night of "rocky" camping.
Well, the rain stopped, and on my left was the most welcoming "Mom & Pop"motel I had ever seen. Mekonnen, owner and operator, cheerfully greeted me and affirmed he had vacancy.
I was thrilled and so excited to see a clean, and well maintained facility. What a miracle God brought to me this evening!

Within minutes Mekonnen had introduced me to his wife Gema, and opened his home to me.
After a superb shower (with excellent water pressure), he drove me about a mile to a Subway.
I bought dinner and headed back for a most comfortable night's rest.
Mekonnen is a person of great faith and compassion. He arrived in America from Ethiopia in 1985. Prior to America, he had spent a year in Germany, and some time working on a vineyard just outside of Rome, Italy.

He met his Mexican-American wife, Gema, sixteen years ago and they have two beautiful daughters. (Tsehaynesh, age 12, and Nurit, age 9) At some point I would like to share details of Mekonnen's quest to find a long lost son in Mongolia. However, we will save those details for later, since it's a long story. Mekonnen and Gema, along with girls journeyed to Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia, about six weeks ago, and suffice to say they successfully located his son, Onon.

This morning, I enjoyed good conversation with fellow motel guests, Ray and Bonnie.
They are from Mountain View, CA (Home of Google) and were visiting Ray's boyhood home.
They have two daughters, Tara, and Trista, and all enjoy living in California.
Ray informed me he was sixty-five, but to be honest, he looks like fifty. Bonnie, also is retired but she couldn't be a day over forty-five. Ray worked for Stanford University in a "high tech" department.

At breakfast with Ray and Bonnie, I was introduced to Noretta, (61 year resident of Tekamah)
who now manages the local historical society museum. Talk about enthusiasm, she has it.
I'm posting from an old Carnegie library with three work stations. Once again how wonderful that small towns provide library resources for their citizens.

I'm now off to Omaha, to stay with dear friends Nick & Angelique, and their three children.
Note: First stop in Omaha will be the Sprint Store. Maybe we can post pictures tomorrow?
In the meantime, your collective imaginations will supply everything you need to feel this journey.

Enjoy a fine Friday!

Arrived safely in Tekamah, NE, &
found just the perfect motel.
The Lord works miracles when you least expect. Details in the AM.
Good night.

I just crossed the Missouri into NE.
Lewis & Clark passed this point.
How cool to think of what they felt at this location.

Back in College... (Sioux City to Tekamah,NE)

Greetings from the campus of Morningside College in Sioux City, IA.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page" St. Augustine

What better way to start your day than by going to the library. Yes, I'm typing this post from a library on the campus of Morningside College. And wow, it's a blazing fast net connection.

First, let's step back to yesterday afternoon when I arrived at LeMars, IA. and proceeded directly to the Blue Bunny Ice Cream visitors center and ice cream shop. In 1993, the Iowa State Legislature proclaimed LeMars as the Ice Cream Capital of the World. All I know is this ice cream was our friend, Hertha's favorite treat. At the counter, Barb cheerfully greeted me and told me a little history of the company, and informed me that my bicycle route would go right in front of the production plant. At one point, this plant consumed the daily milk from more than 45,000 cows. Eventually, you will see a picture of Barb hard at work, just making people happy.
As I scanned this active establishment you could see multiple groups of smiling and laughing individuals. I guess ice cream adds something to life that we all need.

Back on the saddle, it was another super hot afternoon with oven like gusting winds.
Was it five, or maybe six Gatorades I gulped down? You really get thirsty on a hot and windy day. Finally, on the horizon, I caught a glimpse of the first TV tower outside of Sioux City.
Funny how on a bike you notice different things. For example, you have lots of time to see how vistas change from a geographic perspective. Small farms have given way to large spreads that can be seen for miles. When you first spot a small town it's usually the church steeple, a water tower, or a grain elevator. For larger cities like Sioux City, the TV towers and high tension power grids are first noted.

I enjoyed a fine Chinese Buffet dinner (two full plates) and then went soundly to sleep.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about Bonnie. She is a night clerk at the "Mom & Pop" motel and had retired after thirty-six years with the former US West. (Qwest today) Just after retiring her husband passed away. Although she has three grown sons, and an 80 acre homestead, she felt the need to return to work. Good for you Bonnie! She was fascinated by the idea of a bike trip and wished she could ride along.

This morning, I pedaled to a specific destination on the Morningside campus. That spot is the Robert M. Lincoln Center. This building named in honor of a dear departed friend, is the center of business study here at the college. Bob and his wife, Shirley, were dynamic supporters of this institution. In 1983, Cathy and I, joined Bob and Shirley on our first trip to Hawaii. Those memories live on in my mind. Thanks to both of you for showing two novices the joy of travel.
Note: about ten years ago Cathy and I returned here to Morningside to see Bob & Shirley's daughter, Sue, receive an honorary Phd.

Helping me locate the library was Ron, a Morningside alumus. He is a full time controller in private industry and also serves as a professor for a local community college. Thanks Ron, for taking my photo and sharing your insight. Once again, you really do meet the nicest people everywhere you travel.

It's time for a good sit-down breakfast,and then time to start pedaling to Tekamah.

Thanks to all for your comments. They add so much to the trip.
The words of encoragement really help you to pedal faster. Enjoy a great Thursday.