TA 2 - October 1

Well, I decided to try a new experience today.  I chose not to ride my bike at all and rode in the van for the 75 miles from Larned to Hutchinson.  I’m just tired of the wind, which was once again blowing strongly from the south. The forecasted rain did not materialize but hot & humid with those darned crosswinds all day. And while we were on very quiet roads with virtually no truck traffic most of the day, the surface was pretty rough and the shoulder non existent.

We passed through the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge today, saw some cotton plants and some camels in a field (the van didn't stop for a photo). Also saw cattle egrets for the first time. I was mistaken yesterday when I said there weren’t as many oil wells. Seems I just had my head down. We continued to see them today along with some of the agricultural scenery.

We’re in a tired old Super 8 motel tonight. Most of our rooms are downstairs in the dungeon. I came up to the lobby to type this, but the stink of some type of cleaner is so strong that it’s tough to breathe. Guess I’ll go out for a walk for a bit. Hutchinson is a sizeable city of about 40,000 but it looks like we’re in a rather industrial part of town.

Last day is tomorrow. Not sure at this point whether I’ll ride or not.