Daily Page 3

More daily biking pictures to be posted soon....

Gabriel did a great job recounting the events of yesterday. I wanted to add one more memory. We always stress to the kids at schools when we speak to them that you have "to give to get". The first night on the road, Joan had so graciously opened her heart and home to strangers--the three of us. After I played for them, Joan asked if I could "read" most music and I replied I certainly could. She produced a copy of "The Robin's Return" that her mother played 50 years ago and Joan had not heard it since then. I was able to play it, Gabriel ran out to the van and got his video camera so he could get sight and audio and we recorded it for her and gave her the tape. Of course as this was happening, tears were running down Joan's cheeks as she fondly remembered her mother playing the music. Talk about a coincidence. If Joan hadn't opened her heart, she wouldn't have a recording that is priceless to her!

Another note on yesterday, when I found Tony in the ditch, I'm lucky it wasn't me. That was out first experience on the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Trail and it was incredibly beautiful. Many places had sunflowers on both sides of the trail with their heads looking at us as we rode down the lane. The biggest problem however was the riding surface--it was as hard as your garage floor with ruts in it and gravel thrown on the top--you get the idea. We were slipping and sliding everywhere and my bike went out from under me twice but didn't land in the ditch as Tony did.

We had an interview with Scott from the Falls City Journal at 9 a.m. so didn't get a very early start on the day. We had good riding surface with shoulders so were rejoicing about that. We were in hysterics though when Tony confessed he had forgotten to wear underwear under his biking shorts and was starting to get very irritated in places you can guess. He tried unsuccessfully to get Gabriel on the phones so I suggested he take off his undershirt and stuff it in his pants which he did. His profile could have caused an accident! Good thing we had something to laugh about as it was a frustrating day of miscommunication and non-communicating. It just takes a few days on the road to get the bugs worked out.

A special high light of the afternoon was meeting cousins Howard and Ann Erickson in Atchison in late afternoon. Howard is a Dr. who has taught Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State for many years. They had driven TWO hours to see us there and we were so thrilled and appreciative. They wanted to get back to Manhattan before dark so we didn't have much time together but it was precious.

Must sign off. Love, Patricia and Gabriel