Day 27 - Topeka, KS to St. Joseph's, MO
85.0 miles official miles (it's always more)
5:09 bike time
4,000 feet of climbing
Today was a relatively uneventful day if having no crashes qualifies it as that. For once I may be speechless, at least when it comes to the written word. We heard the news that Al Zarqawi was killed in a bombing raid. We were the first to know, because he was the manager of our hotel in Abilene, Kansas. I think we arrived after the first bombs struck, at least based on the condition of the hotel.
We crossed the mighty Missouri river today as we were leaving Kansas. We didn’t need any signs to tell us we left Kansas because the roads immediately worsened. They were absolutely awful. I can’t figure out how Kansas has such nice roads and Missouri such bad ones, particularly since both get Federal funding. I suggest we let the Feds take over all the roads so that they can all be equally bad. We were cautioned tonight about the roads tomorrow. This must mean they are really bad. Also, we were cautioned about the Missouri drivers. Instead of the “show me state” it’s the “I’ll run you over state”.
We passed through Atchinson, Kansas today. I have never seen so large of a grain elevator in my life. I think this was the terminus of the ATSF, so it was probably a grain consolidation point. Excited yet? Also I saw one of the original engines for the ATSF railroad. If you don’t know this one, it’s the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe. Just like the song. It was a nice little town and is right on the border. We stopped at Dairy Queen where I had a chicken sandwich and a root beer float. We crossed the Missouri River today into Missouri, but I couldn’t get a picture as the bridge was very dangerous to cross. Also, it looks just like any other river. In a few days, we will arrive at the mighty Mississippi. Then I’ll get a picture.
One of better riders had a crash in the parking lot by the arrival hotel. He was on his way to get his post ride chocolate milk. My record of a crash closest to the hotel was short lived.
I’m certainly out of witticisms today. I guess I’m finding these hundred mile days less amusing than I normally would.
Signing off……..
