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.