Experiencing Small Town America (Today's route is Holdrege to McCook)

Good morning everyone!

"Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions" Peter Hoeg

We have a beautiful morning here in Holdrege, and I'm right back at the library.
Sue and Brenda (library staff) are smiling, and I have a feeling this will be a great day.
Currently, bright sunshine and about 50 degrees. Forecast is sunny and a high of 74. Perfect.

A couple of days ago, I learned about a gentleman who a few years ago walked across the U.S. on Highway 6. He actually stayed at the same motel where I stayed last night. Can you believe anyone could walk across the entire country. That's a wow in my book.

When you come to Holdrege stay at the Plains Motel, owned and operated by John and Jan Konzack. It's really superb. Jan and Karen even upgraded me to a "King Size Bed". Everything was clean and perfectly maintained. Thanks ladies.

When I checked in at the hotel Jan gave me a ticket to attend a Spaghetti Fundraising Dinner for the family of Tim Brown. Tim, recently had died of cancer and left several young children.
Well, this dinner was sponsored by the Masonic Jachin Lodge # 146, and it really was an interesting event. I was fortunate to be seated with Harley and Mae, who were so gracious and we had a enjoyable conversation. I learned more about Harley's Masonic Lodge and also gained information about Holdrege. Harley retired after 52 years in the newspaper business, and he and Mae were married about seventeen years ago. (Both had lost their spouses)

As I waited for the library to open I happened upon Phillip, who is married to Pam, the Director of this fine library. Thanks, Phillip for your kind words today.

Since all of you reading this blog are in fact participating in a journey, you might want to know what goes on in your head as you pedal mile after mile. Quite simply, everything you see, hear, and smell resonates with a specific part of your mind. The sense of smell is so powerful, especially as you take in fresh scents of wild flowers and moist farm fields. Vistas are notable and change by the second. Whether it's God's pallet of cloud paintings or a fast approaching train. And by the way, there are many trains passing along this route. I enjoy waving to engineers and hearing the train horns. They signal that commerce is alive and well in rural Nebraska.

I must admit this trip has taken on an intense degree of spirituality. You have lots of time to think about life and what your purpose may be. We can talk more about this later in the trip.
Suffice to say, bicycle touring opens doors that most people will never see. That my friends is a shame. Today, do something differently, and change your routine by even a minute. Take ten seconds to learn something about the clerk at your local convenience store. You may be pleasantly surprised by their response.

73 miles are on tap for today so it's time to head on out. You all enjoy a super day.