Leoti to Rush Center, Kan. - July 17

We watched the sun come up this morning on our way out of Leoti, where we stayed for free in the town park, next to the pool, where we were allowed to take showers.

The first part of the day's riding was great, with no wind. Also, when the wind did pick up, it was very slightly angled to our favor, although it was still not altogether helpful, somewhat like cooking with a little kid when you think it might have been easier without all their "help."

Nevertheless, we took advantage of the wind to ride some extra miles -- a lot of extra miles. We wound up with 114 miles for the day and are set up right next to a 20-mile turn to the south, which means headwinds. Fortunately, the wind doesn't really get going until later in the day, so we hope it isn't too bad.

This evening, we had our first visitor from home. Jim Smoker, who works with my brother Korey at Martin Limestone, stopped by our camp. He was out working in his brother-in-law's farm nearby on his "vacation."

We're staying in a small park in a town where there really isn't much.