September 26th,   Day 8

  Augusta Missouri  To  Farmington, Missouri

Miles Biked Today 65-Total Miles 429  

 

Hi everyone!  We're still alive--and thankful!  So many hills and so many trucks and traffic. We're having a frustrating time finding places to ride. After 433 miles on the road I can assess the situation pretty quickly. The road seemed pretty quiet but I knew it was an older highway and absolutely no asphalt past the white line. Gabriel wanted us to try it as it looked OK to him. As we got on our bikes, a huge 18 wheeler came roaring down the road and he quickly said "lets get out of here" and we all jumped in the van to find another road. I made 65 miles but it took until sundown so we're behind in our goal but dealing with every day on the road to stay alive. We did have beautiful miles late yesterday afternoon but need more safe riding places.
 
Around lunch we stopped at a little convenience store called Maw and Paw's and met the nicest people. Rosie and Craig have owned the business for a year and are doing a lot of renovating and building. We were so excited because they gave us a check for $100 for Wahoo High. Nancy Shannon, a neighbor and friend from Wahoo drove up with several Wahoo papers--we were so happy to see the wonderful coverage and see all the happy kids!. We took off down the road--I was driving as the road was treacherous and looked in my real view mirror to see a cop behind me with red and blue lights flashing. What was I doing wrong? I've never even had a genuine ticket
When I rolled down my window, it was the sheriff from the store--his wife Pam works there and he had been there taking pictures of all of us. He had stopped me because he was special delivering the sack containing the Wahoo newspapers we had left at the store! 
 
To add excitement to the day, Tony had a flat tire and a good one as the hole was bigger than the patch he had. So, I lost my bodyguard for the rest of the afternoon and really missed him. It's no fun out there alone even on the shoulder with 5:00 traffic.  Gabriel spent time on it this evening and got it fixed so we'll be ready to roll tomorrow. A nice doctor staying here at the Holiday Inn was helping and keeping Gabriel company while I put in my last 15 miles. We had dinner together--so many nice and interesting people!
 
 We cross the Mississippi tomorrow. I didn't realize there are only three places we can cross. This is surely a great way to see and learn about our country.

Love, Patricia and Gabriel

 

PS from Gabriel: I will tell you when that police officer was coming up behind us I couldn't imagine what the problem was. All the way out here there was not a police car anywhere, and when he came to window and handed us our papers and said you forgot something, I just about fell down as that was one special delivery I will never forget!

It is tough out here and Patricia is really amazing. I call Tony and Patricia THE HAIR & THE TORTOISE, Patricia is blowing Tony's mind as she just doesn't quit! He is so amazed at her stamina and so am I. She is getting stronger every day. Peace to you all.

Gabriel.