String of Friends

Ride Video Map RJ called me over. He asked if I wanted to run the flattener. I did woodworking. It's just a big router. He explained how to work the joystick that moved the cutter head and how to lower it by moving the crank a half turn. Slowly the high spots in the 8 foot hardwood slab got smoothed out. Megan, the yard owner, came over occasionally to check the thickness.  I didn't start out seeking to operate heavy machinery. The day began at Chris's place. I had a simple breakfast with him. He had to work so I thought it best to get out of his hair. I left shortly before 8:00 am to officially get to Iowa and the UPS store where I hoped to get a more reasonable quote for shipping my bike than through their website.  After I left it took all of 10 minutes to reach Iowa on the Bob Kerry pedestrian bridge. On the other side was a statue that seemed like a giant Giacometti made of tinfoil. I don't ponder because I was on a mission. I was going to U...

Ride Video Map As I was huddled under the awning of a stranger's house to escape a downpour, I thought my last day was supposed to be casual. It had started out that way with a quick trip into Fremont from my campsite and my discovery of Milady Coffee. They had pour overs! I felt I was home. The coffee shop anchored a renovated commercial building in a thriving downtown. The Milady manager knew about the work of Strong Towns and let me know about another non-profit in the same space, Community Heart and Soul. Clearly, the folks in Fremont have been busy. While I was enjoying single origin Brazilian coffee with tasting notes of cranberry and milk chocolate, a new arrival announced it was raining. What? I had been clear just a few minutes ago. The budding storm had been at my back. My weather app showed me that this one was almost gone but another was behind it. It seemed like with the way it was going and the way I was going that I might escape. I managed to ...

Ride Video Map I started the Day 10 ride report the morning of Day 11. I was writing as I was preparing to go on a tour of the Genoa Indian School Museum. I was worried how it would be presented. I needn't have worried. Andy arranged a tour with Alyce, a retired teacher. She and the materials in the museum presented an unvarnished picture of the school and its effect on individuals and cultures. They run the museum as a place of healing. (One of the kids was a TJ) There are 40 kids buried in unmarked graves. They haven't been located, but not for want of trying. The State Archeologist has using ground penetrating radar and careful digging. Once found remains will be identified if possible and sent home.  The school closed in 1934. Part of their work was establishing communication with former students. They were successful in reaching a number of people when they began in the 90s. The museum has collected oral histories and established contact...

Ride video Map I am writing this one as a wait to see if my host Andy will make it back before I leave. He's the maintenance supervisor for Genoa. There was a main break in town. The permanent repair kicks off today.  In a few minutes I'll ride over to get a tour Andy arranged of the old Indian School. I am interested but somber. They did a lot of damage to individuals and cultures. I am worried about how the school will be presented. Andy seemed to acknowledge the pain they caused but didn't want to elaborate. I wonder what the town thinks of the school.  Yesterday I awoke to a beautiful morning. I had moved my spot because I was next to what passed for what I think was a Mennonite kegger. The kids were well behaved but kids and loud.  David had arrived late and was camped near me in the nice tent only section. He was on a memorial road trip with his dad's ashes. He was going to Iowa where he grew up to revisit places where they'd had good t...

Ride Video Map I've never worked so hard to go downhill! My endpoint was 500 feet below where I started, but in between were hills with 11% grades. It was constant too and down. Tomorrow promises more of the same but 16 miles more of it. The climbs slowed me. Yesterday I was cruising with one of my fastest average speeds even at 13.7 mph. Today it was 10.9. Humbled.  The day began casually. I just had 50 miles which meant I could start late. I woke up around 7, puttered and ate until 9 then went to the coffee place across the street for real coffee. I talked with Barb and Mary who run the place. They love Seattle. See, someone does out here. Mary used to live in Tacoma. There's definitely a weird connection. Barb has visited for Coffee Fest. Did you know there is a Coffee Fest? By now it was getting late. I finally got on the road at 11 am after a brief visit to the history museum, the grocery, and Subway. Immediately, I hit Highway 70 with 1 foot to no ...

Ride Video Map Another day, another hotel. Broken Bow has a cool, old hotel on its town square filled with playing kids on a Friday night. That beats sleeping by the Parks Maintenance building. But more on that later. I had a casual morning because 1) I am now moving faster on the flat pavement and 2) it rained most of the night and it was clearing out. I went to the coffee shop, hung out, fiddled with my bike, and waited until 9. The clouds still looked doubtful so I put on my raingear. I moved on toward the Nebraska National Forest. I plugged in m 2023 songs playlist and had a soundtrack for the hills. After 14 miles I pulled into the Forest Service office. This section of the National Forest is hand planted! Sadly, most of it burned last year. I bought a delicate Christmas ornament. Sadly, I broke it almost immediately. Where was my brain?  At Dunning I decided the chance of rain was gone. I stripped off the raingear at a Sinclair. They had a ...