Lightning Strikes!

Before leaving Newton, I ate at Tacos Mexico, and hung out with the Newton kids a bit longer. In the morning I went back to the Bread Basket, and ate at their breakfast buffet.

Soon after leaving Newton, I ride South a half-mile into Buhler. The first thing I notice is a coffee shop. Who would think to find such a nice coffee shop in such a small, Kansas town. I entered the Mustard Seed Cafe, and the first thing I notice is their espresso machine. It is glowing blue and is lever operated. I’m impressed. I enjoy a latte and a very hardy cinnimon roll. The atmosphere is very modern with an old west kind of flare to it. They have an awesome tea room seperated from the rest of the establishment full of equally beautiful ceramics.

I ride into Sterling, my intended destination for the evening, and walk straight into the cafe for a bite to eat. I have some key lime pie. I then ponder in front of the closed library as to my next plan of action, and eventually head to the city lake.

I take a shower at the public pool and watch all the ducks wondering around the lake. One runs right past me, skwaking and hobbling frantically toward its children. I take an afternoon nap, and get some ice cream and other provisions for the following morning. As it is Sunday, every likes to close in Kansas.

In the evening, I am struck with some of the fearcist weather so far. I was under a picnic shelter, but the rain was still battering me from one side. Lightning was striking everywhere, including in the city park I was trying to sleep in. Whenever the wind would let up, I would try to get some shot of all the lightning. This is apparently the second time I’ve come within 15 miles of a tornado touching down.

In the morning, I was greeted with more storms, AND more ducks. They were also fleeing the rain in this “natural” cover. I procrastinated for a little while as it rained, took another warm shower, and then got breakfast because by that time they were open. The rain died off within an hour of me leaving town. This stretch was the 60 mile stretch of nothing I mentioned in my last post. So, when I got near the town of Seward, I figured I would make a detour. This was supposed to be all paved and only an extra 2 miles to find food. Not only did I find no food, but also 3 mile of muddy sand roads.

I rode to Larned and when I arrived I tried to check in with the Police Station to stay at the City Park. When I mentioned I might try to stay with a friend of a friend in Newton, they also tried to contact Racheal on my behalf. Nothing like trying to meet someone for the first time through the protocol dominant speech of the police. I end up trying to kill some time at the city theater, and she finds me there before I have the chance to pay for my ticket.

I stay with the Gaeddert’s and sleep on their waterbed in the basement. I end up sleeping in, once again missing my good riding window. I visit Fort Larned on the way out of town, take a break and say “Hi.” to my host at her workplace as she makes friendship bracelets in a park ranger uniform.

I continue on to Alexander where I pick up my next map to Pueblo, CO. I attempt to make contact with Elaine of Elaine’s Bicycle Oasis in Bazine to no avail and wonder over to Ness City.

When I arrive, I go straight to Good Eats at the reccomendation of someone earlier that day. I get a loaded potato and BOY is it loaded. Delicious. I then seek the city park to set up camp in. What I find is the cyclists that I met in Eureka. We catch up and the Dutchman feed me another dinner and a beer.

When everyone is about to retire, the town Unicyclist, Keith Burditt, shows up to say hello. We vibe for a little bit and he invites me back to his house to stay in his basement and check out HIS unicycle collection. We go for a ride and I go to sleep.