Jeff blew away

Saturday 5/26 Day 36

At least it stopped rainning

I had it calculated that in five days I would do almost five hundred miles. Like I said earlier it is a challenge for the body, and a way to get through one of the more boring parts of land :). So today's goal was about ninety miles, which my body was ready for. I got up pretty early his morning. I was woken up a few times in the night by the down pour and the thunder and lightning. I was glad to be indoors.

fake smile in the wind

I said goodbye to Mike and went off to McDonald's for some breakfast. One thing I noticed is that older people love meeting here for breakfast in the morning. So I can usually find an interesting group to join up with. Today I met Flip and Ken. Both veterans. Worked in the bread industry and the welding industry. Again I heard the similar cry of me being crazy, but at the same time commending me for what i was doing. We shared stories of schooling and teaching. They both had kids in some part of the teaching industry. Ken had a son that taught abroad for 14 years. I don't know If I have said this before but I don't think I would be on this trip anymore if it was not for the people I was meeting and the ability to have conversations with people. I would get way to lonely. So to all you I have met on this trip and are reading I thank you for the time we spent together!

Camping Spot

When leaving I had a couple more crews of older folks stop and greet me and see what I was doing. And then I felt it. No not a cozy warm feeling in the hart but a harsh cold breeze. From the east. Haha I wanted a physical challenge? Well I was about to get it for sure. The winds were up to 15 mph if not more. I proudly had my shortest day riding just under thirty miles which took me almost seven hours to complete!! Oh man I was furious during parts of this day. I wanted to chuck my bike under a semi and call it done. 15, 20 minute miles took a blow to my self esteem. I took a few breaks but I had four cars pull over to see if I was ok when I took one break. So the second time I stopped I leaned up on my bike so it looked more as if I didn't crash my bike. That worked pretty well. Also at the end of the day a mist rolled in which started to make my things even wetter than they already were. I coped with the anger in several different ways breaks, talking with friends, journaling, and just calling it a day early. There was no sense in forcing myself to have a bad day. I choose when I start/stop or how far I go a day. I forgot how much I have control of my own actions and what I do, and how I don't have any control of everything else :). So I found a shed on the side of the road and pulled off and camped behind it. I had dinner early, read my book, and fell asleep with the howling wind. It was a bit early but I wanted to get up early tomorrow to make up some ground.