Friend (Joe) - You decide to take a break from the road and vacation in Ireland?
PR - There's a thought. It's Dublin, Indiana a small farming community 17 miles west of Richmond, IN. Was passing by saw the sign for the local library and here I am.
F - Where you staying tonight?
PR - As usual camped out somewhere probably short of Richmond, IN. I've got miles to make yet today.
F - Where did you stay last night?
PR - I was in the clover, literally, about ten miles west of Indianapolis. Found a nice place out of the way on the edge of forest and field. red ringed black birds were serenading me this morning.
F - How was Highway 40 going through the City?
PR - As is happened I went around on quieter streets, mostly. But it's huge. I didn't put it behind me until early afternoon.
F - I'll let you go.
PR - Catch you later.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
On the Road from Terre Haute, IN 4/29/10
Friend (Joe) - You must be smokin' to be in Terre Haute already.
PR - Yeah, I made good time, 180 miles in three days. Must be the new tires.
F - How was Earth day in St Louis?
PR - It was great! There was a big crowd in Forest Park in spite of the rain and wind; many booths and three sound stages. I got my five minutes of "fame" on the main stage where most were distracted or doing other things. A few were listening and asked questions afterwards. Made some good contacts though.
F - Where'd you stay?
PR - I left Bill Davis' place in Wentzville and stayed with Jason and Maddie McClelland on Sunday night after Earth Day events. They were closer into town for me leaving the next day. They run a small local foods Harvest cafe and grocery not far from where they live. Jason also teaches high school math. I was well taken care of.
F - You have any problems leaving town?
PR - No, thanks to good directions Jason wrote out for me. He also bikes around town. I got turned around a bit on the other side of the Mississippi River after crossing McKinley bridge. But I got that sorted out after asking directions and found the MCT Nature trail, at least part of which is a rails to trails road bed, easy, fast going and flat.
F - What are your plans now?
PR - Head out of here today and keep on booking east on Highway 40 to Pittsburgh, hang a right on the Allegheny Passage Trail and into DC on the C&O Towpath. Maybe get there sometime between May 10 and 15. But maybe I'm repeating myself?
F - How is Highway 40?
PR - I'm enjoying it. The traffic is light which is good because the shoulders are mostly non-existent. It was the old historic national highway westward before the railroads arrived. It parallels Interstate 70.
A big thank you to my hosts in Terra Haute, Grace and Pat Walker, for taking good care of me.
F - See you down the road.
Don - Peace Rider
Sunday, April 25, 2010
On the Road from Smith Center, Kansas 4/6/10
(Note: This blog post was trapped in a time vortex somewhere between Kansas and Alaska and only just arrived today.)
Friend - (Joe) You make it to church Easter Sunday?
PR - You know I rolled into St Francis, Kansas the day before. On a simulated white capsule it said home of Tom Evans, Apollo 17 astronaut. Alright! Saw that across the street on my way to a dairy queen like place for ice cream. It was closed but a sign said go to the bowling alley on the side. I decided to wait.
F - It was a simple question?
PR - Patience amigo. I've got an Easter story to tell.
A man driving a van pulls out onto the highway just as I was turning off the main road. At the DQ he pulls up along side me. He had turned around. I recognized him. He says if you go behind the museum across the street there's a camp ground where you can take a shower. I needed a shower bad. This was welcome news.
I say thanks but I don't have a towel, then think again, yes I do have a small one. It would work but no soap. I'm thinking out loud. Is there any soap there I ask? No he says but look on the women's side. I needed to buy alcohol for my stove and ask directions to a hardware store which normally carries the stuff. He gives me directions to a place in downtown St. Francis north of the highway a few blocks.
F - I'm with you.
PR - I find the hardware store, buy a quart of stove fuel then cross the street to the grocery store to get soap among other things. A woman had fallen outside the store and paramedics had her in a neck brace lying on a stretcher awaiting transport when I went in. That's where Neal found me, the man who told me about the shower.
F- He tracked you down?
PR - Yes he did. I'm not hard to miss. You know he said he put a towel and soap in the shower for me. Wow! Kindness. Neal told me earlier that he took care of the camp ground for the city. It was a part time job for him. He was retired. Manna from heaven. Then he says tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I wish him Happy Easter.
F - Then what?
PR - I headed back to the DQ, the bowling alley part that was open. An ice cream cone treat was calling. After that I checked out the campground and took a shower. Man did that feel goooood!
F - I bet.
PR - Yeah it was great! I was all set to leave town. It was early enough yet to make miles. I'd parked my bike outside the restroom/shower. I loaded up and was on my way. I wasn't out of the campground when I noticed my rear tire was low.
F- You had a flat?
PR - Sort of. Turns out the valve stem was leaking. I didn't think to check that first before taking the wheel off and removing the tube. It hadn't happened before. And I didn't have a tool or an old style pronged cap that would loosen the valve.
F - What'd you do?
PR - I left my bike in the campground and went looking for an old valve cap, wheel in hand. A lot of places that might have something were closed for Easter. I tell you, I looked at a lot of old cars and trucks but they all had new style flat caps. I finally found one on an old wheel barrow lying upside down in tall grass behind a repair garage. That fixed the leak after I found a place with an air hose and re inflated the tire. Air cost a dollar at that place.
I took the valve cap and replaced it with mine intending to keep it. Thought about it later. It may have been a small thing but I put the old one back.
F - A guilty conscience?
PR - Maybe, putting it back was liberating. I didn't have to think about it one way or the other anymore.
F - You left town then?
PR - No, by this time I was getting the message stick around. It was well into the afternoon by this time besides. I set my tent up in a nice grassy spot, out of the wind behind a bushy Juniper tree. There was water and electricity where I could charge my cell phone. It was free. Not many campgrounds like that anymore.
F - The rest of the story, please.
PR - The next morning I'm awake early and hear church chimes playing, an Easter sunrise service beginning somewhere. I lay there wondering, should I get up and go or not? Okay, I'm awake it's Easter Sunday, a special time to celebrate and honor Jesus. I get up still bleary eyed and walk out of the campground. It's not the church near the campground as I thought. It was closed and there's none in sight. Oh well, I tried. I head east, maybe the restaurant I'd seen the day before was open, treat myself to breakfast. It was closed.
Just past the restaurant I see a sign up ahead on the right. In bold letters it says Peace Lutheran Church eight blocks north. I hang a left at the arrow and keep walking. Should have ridden my bike. I'll be late.
F - You made it to church then?
PR - Yeah, I was late but just in time for communion I was told on entering? I missed the sermon. Could this be Neal's church I wondered? Naw, what are the chances of that?
I could have been in my old church. The pastor was way up front. Rows of empty pews separated him from a small crowd of early risers. They're all sitting back in the middle and rear pews me included. The really humble sit way back I guess.
The pastor announces the final hymn. It begins. You couldn't hear the singing for the organ playing. It wasn't up from the grave he arose either. What verse was everyone on? It didn't matter no one could tell. It blessedly ends. All this brought a smile. No one I knew there.
F - You left then?
PR - Heck no! Easter Breakfast was next man. I was invited to stay You don't walk out the door when free food's being dished up. No oatmeal breakfast for me this day. It was a treat really.
Young women from their youth group, I assume, were serving up a familiar fare of scrambled eggs and bacon. Sweet breads, juice and mixed fruit were there to round it out. It was great!
It was mostly an older crowd. I sit down and start eating. About that time Neal walks in. He missed the early service but not the breakfast.
F - Surprised?
PR - Amazed would be more like it. Not the first time on this trip but still --- .
Neal didn't recognize me at first with different clothes on until I said something. He and his wife sit down beside me. He says he should have thought to invite me to church. Not a problem I say.
Turns out he's also an airplane "nut." He tells me they have a small antique air show in St. Francis every year, old Stearman biplanes and others show up. We talk airplanes.
On the way out the door we have a conversation with the pastor's wife about why I'm riding. I begin talking about climate change, a mistake I think later.
Neal asks if I'm an Al Gore fan? I let that slide. The pastor's wife diplomatically says she doesn't talk politics, all are welcome here, Republican and Democrats. She agrees climate change is happening but the cause is the question.
F - Did you respond to that?
PR - No I didn't. Maybe I should have. I was on my way out the door. I've realized you need to tailor what you say to the audience. I thought later this was one where I should have begun with the inspiration first, not the action. The Way to Peace is the Way of Love - for all living things. I'm learning.
F - It's a challenge to wake people up?
PR - Very much. Some don't believe it's happening and others don't believe it's human caused. The negative vibes from talk radio doesn't help. People don't know what or whom to believe.
But there is a new consciousness arising, a growing awareness that all things are connected, that we can't keep doing what we're doing to the planet. I'm hopeful.
The "Universe" is on our side.
F - Your Easter Sunday was pretty special, sounds like.
PR - Way cool. I walked back to camp another way. The birds were singing! I hit the road after that. That's my story.
F - Later!
Don - Peace Rider
Friend - (Joe) You make it to church Easter Sunday?
PR - You know I rolled into St Francis, Kansas the day before. On a simulated white capsule it said home of Tom Evans, Apollo 17 astronaut. Alright! Saw that across the street on my way to a dairy queen like place for ice cream. It was closed but a sign said go to the bowling alley on the side. I decided to wait.
F - It was a simple question?
PR - Patience amigo. I've got an Easter story to tell.
A man driving a van pulls out onto the highway just as I was turning off the main road. At the DQ he pulls up along side me. He had turned around. I recognized him. He says if you go behind the museum across the street there's a camp ground where you can take a shower. I needed a shower bad. This was welcome news.
I say thanks but I don't have a towel, then think again, yes I do have a small one. It would work but no soap. I'm thinking out loud. Is there any soap there I ask? No he says but look on the women's side. I needed to buy alcohol for my stove and ask directions to a hardware store which normally carries the stuff. He gives me directions to a place in downtown St. Francis north of the highway a few blocks.
F - I'm with you.
PR - I find the hardware store, buy a quart of stove fuel then cross the street to the grocery store to get soap among other things. A woman had fallen outside the store and paramedics had her in a neck brace lying on a stretcher awaiting transport when I went in. That's where Neal found me, the man who told me about the shower.
F- He tracked you down?
PR - Yes he did. I'm not hard to miss. You know he said he put a towel and soap in the shower for me. Wow! Kindness. Neal told me earlier that he took care of the camp ground for the city. It was a part time job for him. He was retired. Manna from heaven. Then he says tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I wish him Happy Easter.
F - Then what?
PR - I headed back to the DQ, the bowling alley part that was open. An ice cream cone treat was calling. After that I checked out the campground and took a shower. Man did that feel goooood!
F - I bet.
PR - Yeah it was great! I was all set to leave town. It was early enough yet to make miles. I'd parked my bike outside the restroom/shower. I loaded up and was on my way. I wasn't out of the campground when I noticed my rear tire was low.
F- You had a flat?
PR - Sort of. Turns out the valve stem was leaking. I didn't think to check that first before taking the wheel off and removing the tube. It hadn't happened before. And I didn't have a tool or an old style pronged cap that would loosen the valve.
F - What'd you do?
PR - I left my bike in the campground and went looking for an old valve cap, wheel in hand. A lot of places that might have something were closed for Easter. I tell you, I looked at a lot of old cars and trucks but they all had new style flat caps. I finally found one on an old wheel barrow lying upside down in tall grass behind a repair garage. That fixed the leak after I found a place with an air hose and re inflated the tire. Air cost a dollar at that place.
I took the valve cap and replaced it with mine intending to keep it. Thought about it later. It may have been a small thing but I put the old one back.
F - A guilty conscience?
PR - Maybe, putting it back was liberating. I didn't have to think about it one way or the other anymore.
F - You left town then?
PR - No, by this time I was getting the message stick around. It was well into the afternoon by this time besides. I set my tent up in a nice grassy spot, out of the wind behind a bushy Juniper tree. There was water and electricity where I could charge my cell phone. It was free. Not many campgrounds like that anymore.
F - The rest of the story, please.
PR - The next morning I'm awake early and hear church chimes playing, an Easter sunrise service beginning somewhere. I lay there wondering, should I get up and go or not? Okay, I'm awake it's Easter Sunday, a special time to celebrate and honor Jesus. I get up still bleary eyed and walk out of the campground. It's not the church near the campground as I thought. It was closed and there's none in sight. Oh well, I tried. I head east, maybe the restaurant I'd seen the day before was open, treat myself to breakfast. It was closed.
Just past the restaurant I see a sign up ahead on the right. In bold letters it says Peace Lutheran Church eight blocks north. I hang a left at the arrow and keep walking. Should have ridden my bike. I'll be late.
F - You made it to church then?
PR - Yeah, I was late but just in time for communion I was told on entering? I missed the sermon. Could this be Neal's church I wondered? Naw, what are the chances of that?
I could have been in my old church. The pastor was way up front. Rows of empty pews separated him from a small crowd of early risers. They're all sitting back in the middle and rear pews me included. The really humble sit way back I guess.
The pastor announces the final hymn. It begins. You couldn't hear the singing for the organ playing. It wasn't up from the grave he arose either. What verse was everyone on? It didn't matter no one could tell. It blessedly ends. All this brought a smile. No one I knew there.
F - You left then?
PR - Heck no! Easter Breakfast was next man. I was invited to stay You don't walk out the door when free food's being dished up. No oatmeal breakfast for me this day. It was a treat really.
Young women from their youth group, I assume, were serving up a familiar fare of scrambled eggs and bacon. Sweet breads, juice and mixed fruit were there to round it out. It was great!
It was mostly an older crowd. I sit down and start eating. About that time Neal walks in. He missed the early service but not the breakfast.
F - Surprised?
PR - Amazed would be more like it. Not the first time on this trip but still --- .
Neal didn't recognize me at first with different clothes on until I said something. He and his wife sit down beside me. He says he should have thought to invite me to church. Not a problem I say.
Turns out he's also an airplane "nut." He tells me they have a small antique air show in St. Francis every year, old Stearman biplanes and others show up. We talk airplanes.
On the way out the door we have a conversation with the pastor's wife about why I'm riding. I begin talking about climate change, a mistake I think later.
Neal asks if I'm an Al Gore fan? I let that slide. The pastor's wife diplomatically says she doesn't talk politics, all are welcome here, Republican and Democrats. She agrees climate change is happening but the cause is the question.
F - Did you respond to that?
PR - No I didn't. Maybe I should have. I was on my way out the door. I've realized you need to tailor what you say to the audience. I thought later this was one where I should have begun with the inspiration first, not the action. The Way to Peace is the Way of Love - for all living things. I'm learning.
F - It's a challenge to wake people up?
PR - Very much. Some don't believe it's happening and others don't believe it's human caused. The negative vibes from talk radio doesn't help. People don't know what or whom to believe.
But there is a new consciousness arising, a growing awareness that all things are connected, that we can't keep doing what we're doing to the planet. I'm hopeful.
The "Universe" is on our side.
F - Your Easter Sunday was pretty special, sounds like.
PR - Way cool. I walked back to camp another way. The birds were singing! I hit the road after that. That's my story.
F - Later!
Don - Peace Rider
Thursday, April 22, 2010
On the road from St. Charles, MO 4/22/10
Friend (Joe) - Lost track of you for awhile, you get lost?
PR - No, just away from a computer on the road. I also stopped for a few days at my cousin's place in Urich not far from Clinton where the trail begins. He only had a slow dial up connection.
Before I say much more I just wanted to wish all of my friends a Happy Earth Day. It is with a hope that all of you will do something that reminds us of our connectedness to each other, the Earth and that which is Greater than self in whatever terms you understand it.
This is our decade to create anew and change from takers and plunderers to careful stewards of what has been entrusted into our care for the benefit of everyone. It is ours to lose or to heal and restore for our children's sake.
I regret that I am not able to send each of you very special people a personal note of thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing on behalf of the planet and to bring peace on earth and peace with the earth. But you should also know that there are many of you out there trying your very best against often daunting odds to make a difference, to live more simply and sustainably on the planet. I'm greatly encouraged by that and the example you've set. It is time to come together.
The challenge remains to move to a green energy future and break our addiction to fossil fuels while a sliver of time remains to do so, to stop the contamination of our atmosphere with pollutants of all kinds. Waiting longer invites the very real possibility that changes already occurring now will reinforce one another and become irreversible
Good luck and my very best to all of you on this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Let's make it one to remember.
Check out what 350.org is doing and also another ride for the planet day to take place later in the year.
F - Thought you were supposed to be in DC on Earth Day?
PR - That was a goal I had to set aside as you may recall.
F - So where are you planning to be on Earth Day?
PR - In St. Louis's Forest Park. But they're not celebrating Earth Day until Sunday the 25th.
I got connected with the St. Louis Regional Bike Association and will help them out on Sunday at their booth. And I may get a chance to say a few words on stage thanks to Cassie Phillips, the principal organizer of this year's Earth Day events here. I was a late arrival on the scene and really appreciated being fitted in.
I arrived yesterday in St Charles at the end of the KATY trail staying with friends of friends, Viet Nam era veterans as it happens.
F - That should give you enough time to rest up for the dash to the finish, eh?
PR - Yeah, the KATY trail, short for Missouri, Kansas, Texas RR, was great! If you get a chance to bike it it's well worth the time, especially the part along the Missouri River with its historical markers and descriptions of the Lewis and Clark expedition's camps on their way upriver from St. Charles in late May and early June of 1804. I really enjoyed reading again about one of my favorite times and event of American history.
F - What are your plans after St. Louis.
PR - I'm hoping to be in DC no later than May 15th. It's a tight schedule from here on out since I made advance reservations to leave Toronto by train on 20 May. Will see how it comes together.
F - Do you have a route east in mind?
PR - Just a tentative one at this point. I've changed it slightly. I want to connect with friends in Pittsburgh to ride the relatively new Allegheny Passage Trail that connects with the C&O towpath into DC. It will be a great way to come in to the capitol.
To get there it looks like Hwy. 40 east may be the best choice. More research is needed on it at this point.
F - Catch up with you down the road. Stay in touch. Watch your back side.
PR - Do my best! Thanks amigo.
Viajero por la Paz
PR - No, just away from a computer on the road. I also stopped for a few days at my cousin's place in Urich not far from Clinton where the trail begins. He only had a slow dial up connection.
Before I say much more I just wanted to wish all of my friends a Happy Earth Day. It is with a hope that all of you will do something that reminds us of our connectedness to each other, the Earth and that which is Greater than self in whatever terms you understand it.
This is our decade to create anew and change from takers and plunderers to careful stewards of what has been entrusted into our care for the benefit of everyone. It is ours to lose or to heal and restore for our children's sake.
I regret that I am not able to send each of you very special people a personal note of thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing on behalf of the planet and to bring peace on earth and peace with the earth. But you should also know that there are many of you out there trying your very best against often daunting odds to make a difference, to live more simply and sustainably on the planet. I'm greatly encouraged by that and the example you've set. It is time to come together.
The challenge remains to move to a green energy future and break our addiction to fossil fuels while a sliver of time remains to do so, to stop the contamination of our atmosphere with pollutants of all kinds. Waiting longer invites the very real possibility that changes already occurring now will reinforce one another and become irreversible
Good luck and my very best to all of you on this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Let's make it one to remember.
Check out what 350.org is doing and also
F - Thought you were supposed to be in DC on Earth Day?
PR - That was a goal I had to set aside as you may recall.
F - So where are you planning to be on Earth Day?
PR - In St. Louis's Forest Park. But they're not celebrating Earth Day until Sunday the 25th.
I got connected with the St. Louis Regional Bike Association and will help them out on Sunday at their booth. And I may get a chance to say a few words on stage thanks to Cassie Phillips, the principal organizer of this year's Earth Day events here. I was a late arrival on the scene and really appreciated being fitted in.
I arrived yesterday in St Charles at the end of the KATY trail staying with friends of friends, Viet Nam era veterans as it happens.
F - That should give you enough time to rest up for the dash to the finish, eh?
PR - Yeah, the KATY trail, short for Missouri, Kansas, Texas RR, was great! If you get a chance to bike it it's well worth the time, especially the part along the Missouri River with its historical markers and descriptions of the Lewis and Clark expedition's camps on their way upriver from St. Charles in late May and early June of 1804. I really enjoyed reading again about one of my favorite times and event of American history.
F - What are your plans after St. Louis.
PR - I'm hoping to be in DC no later than May 15th. It's a tight schedule from here on out since I made advance reservations to leave Toronto by train on 20 May. Will see how it comes together.
F - Do you have a route east in mind?
PR - Just a tentative one at this point. I've changed it slightly. I want to connect with friends in Pittsburgh to ride the relatively new Allegheny Passage Trail that connects with the C&O towpath into DC. It will be a great way to come in to the capitol.
To get there it looks like Hwy. 40 east may be the best choice. More research is needed on it at this point.
F - Catch up with you down the road. Stay in touch. Watch your back side.
PR - Do my best! Thanks amigo.
Viajero por la Paz
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
On the road near Ottawa, KS 4/12/10
I arrived in Ottawa, KS one weary hombre after beating into the wind to reach Herrington, KS a day earlier.
The Flint Hills Nature Trail it turns out is a work in progress, some sections of the old rail bed aren't yet surfaced for bicycles. That it exists at all is thanks to the efforts of volunteers like my gracious host Owen Harbison.
Kansas, he explained to me, is not a welcoming place for trails like this. Fear of the unknown is at the root of it. It's a shame because it has so much potential to benefit communities along its hundred mile plus length.
One of the more interesting sections to travel was suggested by Owen. He told me there are indian ruins near the trail that would be worth visiting if I had time. I decided to check them out.
From Council Grove where it begins, near the old Santa Fe Trail, the FHNT heads southeast. This roughly four mile section of gravel trail was challenging, rutted by vehicles using it when it was wet and soft. It's supposed to be for non-motorized travel only. Four wild turkeys galloped away into the forest ahead of me in one part.
The "improved" section ended at the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park. Beyond that it was still rough railroad ballast.
This 158 acre tall grass prairie landscape was purchased by the Kaw nation to honor their great Kanza chief Allegawaho. It was he who made an eloquent protest against his peoples being forced once again to move from their beloved homeland in June 1872.
Who of us now can make an eloquent protest and mobilize action against what we are collectively doing to planet earth? In this Memorial Park words etched on the outside edge of a flat, circular monument spoke to me. "Wakanda - Bless all who walk here. May we know and respect all your creation and what you have taught our people, Wiblaha."
It's that sense of the sacred in ourselves and in nature we need to connect with and help others reconnect with if we are to heal and restore right relationships.
On a hill nearby was a obelisk like, older stone monument to an unknown warrior chief. From below the painted north south arms of the newer memorial are perfectly aligned with the older, acknowledging and honoring a deeper, lasting connection. The east west arms align with the rising and setting sun much like life's sacred journey.
A circle is a symbol of unity. In a circle within a circle was a bronze plaque honoring the Kaw people of Kanza.
I'll leave Owen and Michelle's home near Ottawa, KS tomorrow morning. Owen will bike with me to Osawatamie if he doesn't get a call from the Union Pacific RR to take a train somewhere. He also rides the rails as an engineer.
Osawatamie is at the eastern end of the FHNT, home of John Brown of Civil War notoriety I learned from Owen.
And so where may I be this coming weekend? I should be on the Katy Trail closing in on Jefferson City. I will leave my cousin's place near Urich, MO for the trail head in Clinton, MO on Friday most likely. I plan to ride the trail to the end at St Charles, cross the Mississippi River at Alton north of St. Louis, then connect to Hwy 50 and continue east bound. I'll spend a couple of days with other friends in Rochester, Ill.
If there was a reason to spend time in the St. Louis vicinity or the Springfield/Rochester, Ill. area on Earth Day I would be willing to do that.
Peace Rider Don
The Flint Hills Nature Trail it turns out is a work in progress, some sections of the old rail bed aren't yet surfaced for bicycles. That it exists at all is thanks to the efforts of volunteers like my gracious host Owen Harbison.
Kansas, he explained to me, is not a welcoming place for trails like this. Fear of the unknown is at the root of it. It's a shame because it has so much potential to benefit communities along its hundred mile plus length.
One of the more interesting sections to travel was suggested by Owen. He told me there are indian ruins near the trail that would be worth visiting if I had time. I decided to check them out.
From Council Grove where it begins, near the old Santa Fe Trail, the FHNT heads southeast. This roughly four mile section of gravel trail was challenging, rutted by vehicles using it when it was wet and soft. It's supposed to be for non-motorized travel only. Four wild turkeys galloped away into the forest ahead of me in one part.
The "improved" section ended at the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park. Beyond that it was still rough railroad ballast.
This 158 acre tall grass prairie landscape was purchased by the Kaw nation to honor their great Kanza chief Allegawaho. It was he who made an eloquent protest against his peoples being forced once again to move from their beloved homeland in June 1872.
Who of us now can make an eloquent protest and mobilize action against what we are collectively doing to planet earth? In this Memorial Park words etched on the outside edge of a flat, circular monument spoke to me. "Wakanda - Bless all who walk here. May we know and respect all your creation and what you have taught our people, Wiblaha."
It's that sense of the sacred in ourselves and in nature we need to connect with and help others reconnect with if we are to heal and restore right relationships.
On a hill nearby was a obelisk like, older stone monument to an unknown warrior chief. From below the painted north south arms of the newer memorial are perfectly aligned with the older, acknowledging and honoring a deeper, lasting connection. The east west arms align with the rising and setting sun much like life's sacred journey.
A circle is a symbol of unity. In a circle within a circle was a bronze plaque honoring the Kaw people of Kanza.
I'll leave Owen and Michelle's home near Ottawa, KS tomorrow morning. Owen will bike with me to Osawatamie if he doesn't get a call from the Union Pacific RR to take a train somewhere. He also rides the rails as an engineer.
Osawatamie is at the eastern end of the FHNT, home of John Brown of Civil War notoriety I learned from Owen.
And so where may I be this coming weekend? I should be on the Katy Trail closing in on Jefferson City. I will leave my cousin's place near Urich, MO for the trail head in Clinton, MO on Friday most likely. I plan to ride the trail to the end at St Charles, cross the Mississippi River at Alton north of St. Louis, then connect to Hwy 50 and continue east bound. I'll spend a couple of days with other friends in Rochester, Ill.
If there was a reason to spend time in the St. Louis vicinity or the Springfield/Rochester, Ill. area on Earth Day I would be willing to do that.
Peace Rider Don
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
On the Road in Cawker City, KA 4/07/10
Friend (Joe) - Hey Peace Rider where you at? Haven't heard from you in awhile.
PR - Yeah, makin' miles. I had some really good mileage days out of Denver. This will be just a brief update.
F - How come?
PR - Got a late start today. A storm front passed through last night. Holed up in my tent until about noon. Wind still pretty stiff out of the north but sun came out after overcast and rain this morning.
F - Where you at now?
PR - I was passing through Cawker City, KA saw the sign for Library on the main drag and decided to stop to post an update. Cawker City is on Highway 24. I headed south off Hgy 36 at Smith Center for about 20 miles then east on 24. Been on 36 since Denver.
F - Why didn't you just stay on 36, looks shorter to me heading east?
PR - I'm headed for Herrington, KA, the beginning of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. I'm still several days away and won't make many miles today. It's gravel so will see if my skinny tired bike can make it. If not I'll detour onto a hard surface.
F - You find "Toto" anywhere?
PR - Lots of Auntie Emms but no Dorthy or Toto, this is pheasant country man!
F - So you better hit the road if you're going to make DC by the end of the month.
PR - Yeah, I suppose so. An interesting tidbit. Cawker City is home to the largest ball of sisal twine, sits outside under a roof along the main street. Started in 1953 by Frank Stober, 40" in circumference, thrift plus patience = success the sign says. Also home to a lot of rusting autos of 40's vintage and earlier.
Got to go.
F - Catch you down the road.
Peace Rider
PR - Yeah, makin' miles. I had some really good mileage days out of Denver. This will be just a brief update.
F - How come?
PR - Got a late start today. A storm front passed through last night. Holed up in my tent until about noon. Wind still pretty stiff out of the north but sun came out after overcast and rain this morning.
F - Where you at now?
PR - I was passing through Cawker City, KA saw the sign for Library on the main drag and decided to stop to post an update. Cawker City is on Highway 24. I headed south off Hgy 36 at Smith Center for about 20 miles then east on 24. Been on 36 since Denver.
F - Why didn't you just stay on 36, looks shorter to me heading east?
PR - I'm headed for Herrington, KA, the beginning of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. I'm still several days away and won't make many miles today. It's gravel so will see if my skinny tired bike can make it. If not I'll detour onto a hard surface.
F - You find "Toto" anywhere?
PR - Lots of Auntie Emms but no Dorthy or Toto, this is pheasant country man!
F - So you better hit the road if you're going to make DC by the end of the month.
PR - Yeah, I suppose so. An interesting tidbit. Cawker City is home to the largest ball of sisal twine, sits outside under a roof along the main street. Started in 1953 by Frank Stober, 40" in circumference, thrift plus patience = success the sign says. Also home to a lot of rusting autos of 40's vintage and earlier.
Got to go.
F - Catch you down the road.
Peace Rider
Thursday, April 1, 2010
On the Road from Denver (again) 3/30/10
Friend (Joe) - Hey, Peace Rider what's with this again from Denver business?
PR - To maintain the integrity of my ride I returned to Alma, five miles south of Hoosier Pass. It's where I last left off bike riding before a big snow storm.
F - It's important to you then to not have any breaks in your bike ride?
PR - Yeah, it is. I may be the only one who cares but that's okay. It's something I decided early on to do. I could have taken advantage of other ride offers over the course of this trip. But then it wouldn't be the same bike trip any longer, would it?
F - I suppose not, something different. But how do you get around using more fossil fuel to start at the place you last left off? A bit hypocritical isn't it?
PR - Some might say so I suppose. But I've only had to do this a couple of times throughout the trip. In this instance Tim Bicknell was returning to his home near Dillion from Kansan City so it wasn't hugely out of his way to drop me off in Alma. I stayed with him and his wife Laura earlier in the trip as you may recall? As it turned out another snow storm intervened after he picked me up in Denver. I stayed with them a couple of more days before he dropped me off in Alma.
F - How did the rest of your ride go from there?
PR - Well, South Park is notorious for being a windy place. I hit it on a clear windy day. It was a nice tail wind speeding me south to Fairplay. After turning east from there towards Red Hill and Kenosha Passes it was a bear, a strong crosswind and blowing snow piling up drifts in exposed places across Hgy 285.
F - Doesn't sound like a lot of fun?
PR - Yeah, it wasn't. I'd get off my bike only to lose my balance trying to get back on. The BOB trailer is handy but it is also devilish to balance and keep upright when not rolling down the road The plows were out, the sky was clear and the snow was melting in places. But I was struggling not altogether in a place of repose or peace of mind.
F - But you made it?
PR - Yes, eventually but not without some help and a detour. Near the turn off to Como, an old mining town about eight miles east of Fairplay, a van stopped. A man got out and walked across the road to talk to me. He said he had read about me in the paper and saw me having trouble earlier. That's how I met Andrew Zimmerman aka Hector, and his friend Michael. He said they were going to Denver but he had a cabin in Como I could stay in if I wanted to. It was up to me. He had a more colorful way of putting it.
F - So what'd you do?
PR - I bagged it for the day especially since Andrew said it was drifting bad ahead of me.
I'd already seen two cars off the road in a snow bank at the bottom of Red Hill Pass.
F - So you took a chance the wind would die down over night, did it?
PR - It was still windy in the morning but not as bad as the day before. It was also another warm sunny day. The snow was melting off the road. That helped. Not surprisingly, huge snow drifts where piled up behind the snow fences paralleling the road.
F - And how was the cabin?
PR - It was a pretty funky place, the "blue house" in Como. Part of it was an old railroad car. Andrew's parents had bought the place because they liked the view from Como. It was a scenic spot. I'm no stranger to an outhouse and wood stove which came with the place having had similar "amenities" in my early years in Alaska.
The wood burning cook stove was in the kitchen. I closed one door and hung a blanket over the other entrance. I didn't have to heat the whole house that way. I'm used to sleeping in the cold. An unheated bedroom was just right for me. The closed off kitchen got comfortable in short order. In a back room was a hand operated well pump. I brought enough water with me so didn't have to use it. On a living room table were WW II era news papers that Andrew had found. Wall posters of an artistic nature adorned the walls of house and outhouse. The furniture was from another era.
I introduced myself to the next door neighbors Greg and Bonnie at Andrew's suggestion. Later Greg stopped by to give me some tortillas and chili. That was nice and appreciated.
F - Did you make it to Denver that day?
PR - Yes, it was a long day. The grade up Kenosha Pass was not long or very steep. After that it was mostly downhill for a long way, nearly to Bailey. From there it was a grind up Crown Hill. It reminded me of Rabbit Ears Pass, not quite a 7% grade. Beyond it was up and down to nearly Conifer then a long downhill again. Turned out be my longest mileage day yet, 69 miles maybe. Closer in I got on the Bear Creek bike trail that connected to a trail along the South Platte River. I left it nearing Chris Crosby's place close to Cherry Creek Center. I really like these river trails. Ducks were hanging out on the shore or in the water. The bikeway went under bridge crossings so you didn't have to cross any streets. It was great!
There was just a little bit of daylight left when I pulled into his driveway. I was tired but a very welcome dinner and a shower were waiting.
F - What's next?
PR - Well, there's a public event downtown today sponsored by the environmental community. I'll get a chance to speak. Ride my bike there from Chris' place. After that I'll stay the night with my friends Eddie and Babbie Kochman. Chris went skiing today with his grandkids. Thursday, head em up, move em out, east bound on my two wheeled pony, 1700 miles or so from the "Dragon's" lair.
F - Stay safe, see you down the road?
PR - Thanks, Viajero por la Paz!
PR - To maintain the integrity of my ride I returned to Alma, five miles south of Hoosier Pass. It's where I last left off bike riding before a big snow storm.
F - It's important to you then to not have any breaks in your bike ride?
PR - Yeah, it is. I may be the only one who cares but that's okay. It's something I decided early on to do. I could have taken advantage of other ride offers over the course of this trip. But then it wouldn't be the same bike trip any longer, would it?
F - I suppose not, something different. But how do you get around using more fossil fuel to start at the place you last left off? A bit hypocritical isn't it?
PR - Some might say so I suppose. But I've only had to do this a couple of times throughout the trip. In this instance Tim Bicknell was returning to his home near Dillion from Kansan City so it wasn't hugely out of his way to drop me off in Alma. I stayed with him and his wife Laura earlier in the trip as you may recall? As it turned out another snow storm intervened after he picked me up in Denver. I stayed with them a couple of more days before he dropped me off in Alma.
F - How did the rest of your ride go from there?
PR - Well, South Park is notorious for being a windy place. I hit it on a clear windy day. It was a nice tail wind speeding me south to Fairplay. After turning east from there towards Red Hill and Kenosha Passes it was a bear, a strong crosswind and blowing snow piling up drifts in exposed places across Hgy 285.
F - Doesn't sound like a lot of fun?
PR - Yeah, it wasn't. I'd get off my bike only to lose my balance trying to get back on. The BOB trailer is handy but it is also devilish to balance and keep upright when not rolling down the road The plows were out, the sky was clear and the snow was melting in places. But I was struggling not altogether in a place of repose or peace of mind.
F - But you made it?
PR - Yes, eventually but not without some help and a detour. Near the turn off to Como, an old mining town about eight miles east of Fairplay, a van stopped. A man got out and walked across the road to talk to me. He said he had read about me in the paper and saw me having trouble earlier. That's how I met Andrew Zimmerman aka Hector, and his friend Michael. He said they were going to Denver but he had a cabin in Como I could stay in if I wanted to. It was up to me. He had a more colorful way of putting it.
F - So what'd you do?
PR - I bagged it for the day especially since Andrew said it was drifting bad ahead of me.
I'd already seen two cars off the road in a snow bank at the bottom of Red Hill Pass.
F - So you took a chance the wind would die down over night, did it?
PR - It was still windy in the morning but not as bad as the day before. It was also another warm sunny day. The snow was melting off the road. That helped. Not surprisingly, huge snow drifts where piled up behind the snow fences paralleling the road.
F - And how was the cabin?
PR - It was a pretty funky place, the "blue house" in Como. Part of it was an old railroad car. Andrew's parents had bought the place because they liked the view from Como. It was a scenic spot. I'm no stranger to an outhouse and wood stove which came with the place having had similar "amenities" in my early years in Alaska.
The wood burning cook stove was in the kitchen. I closed one door and hung a blanket over the other entrance. I didn't have to heat the whole house that way. I'm used to sleeping in the cold. An unheated bedroom was just right for me. The closed off kitchen got comfortable in short order. In a back room was a hand operated well pump. I brought enough water with me so didn't have to use it. On a living room table were WW II era news papers that Andrew had found. Wall posters of an artistic nature adorned the walls of house and outhouse. The furniture was from another era.
I introduced myself to the next door neighbors Greg and Bonnie at Andrew's suggestion. Later Greg stopped by to give me some tortillas and chili. That was nice and appreciated.
F - Did you make it to Denver that day?
PR - Yes, it was a long day. The grade up Kenosha Pass was not long or very steep. After that it was mostly downhill for a long way, nearly to Bailey. From there it was a grind up Crown Hill. It reminded me of Rabbit Ears Pass, not quite a 7% grade. Beyond it was up and down to nearly Conifer then a long downhill again. Turned out be my longest mileage day yet, 69 miles maybe. Closer in I got on the Bear Creek bike trail that connected to a trail along the South Platte River. I left it nearing Chris Crosby's place close to Cherry Creek Center. I really like these river trails. Ducks were hanging out on the shore or in the water. The bikeway went under bridge crossings so you didn't have to cross any streets. It was great!
There was just a little bit of daylight left when I pulled into his driveway. I was tired but a very welcome dinner and a shower were waiting.
F - What's next?
PR - Well, there's a public event downtown today sponsored by the environmental community. I'll get a chance to speak. Ride my bike there from Chris' place. After that I'll stay the night with my friends Eddie and Babbie Kochman. Chris went skiing today with his grandkids. Thursday, head em up, move em out, east bound on my two wheeled pony, 1700 miles or so from the "Dragon's" lair.
F - Stay safe, see you down the road?
PR - Thanks, Viajero por la Paz!
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