JUNE 29 WALK WHERE WYATT EARP WALKED

We all looked forward to today. The long "century" rides were over for awhile. We anticipated an "easy" ride day and some free time this afternoon, since we had only 51 miles to bike. And, we looked forward to our next destination town: DODGE CITY, KANSAS where we knew we could "walk where Wyatt Earp walked," and "drink a cold one in the Long Branch saloon with Miss Kitty."

Dodge City ("Living the legend of the Old West") offers the Boot Hill Museum, a real stage coach ride,and the opportunity to witness an Old West gunfight! It is located on the old Santa Fe Trail, which we visited to photograph the "actual" ruts made by wagon trains and stage coaches.

Long Branch Saloon

It was an overcast morning with persistant SE winds. Knowing that we had a short ride and some interesting stops along the way was a big lift to us all and made the wind seem less of a factor.

John (ME), who I really enjoy riding with, told me that he had chosen this particular cross country ride "because it is West to East--going with the prevailing winds". Of course, we have not experienced that yet. So today, following some partying last night, he said, "Bill I don't think I've got much wind fight left!" I laughed knowing he's got plenty left.

We rode route 50 East through the farms and towns of Gray County ("Helping to feed the world" is on the sign). Huge farms with hay, wheat and corn crops and CATTLE were in our sights all morning. We stopped at a cattle feed lot with a capacity of 50,000 head. The cattle are kept in large corrals where they are fed from troughs. The troughs are filled by passing trucks dumping feed into them as they drive slowly past. A complete automated process to fatten our beef before slaughter. AbB informed us we will be eating Chinese food tonight, rather than at a steakhouse. I guess we were just exposed to too much "pre-steak" today to be able to enjoy it tonight.

Kansas cattle feed lot

At the SAG stop under the tall water tower in Ingalls, KS we were all gathered drinking Gatorade, joking around, and eating left-over birthday cake from Mason's party. A young local boy rode up on his bike to see us. He saw all the bikes and all of us--- and with a big smile asked where we were going. I said "We are going to Maine, wanna go? His eyes lit up, and he said," Wait, I'll go ask my mom!" and quickly rode off. I hope he (or his mom) are not too disappointed that we left Ingalls without him.

Tonight we are going to the Long Branch Saloon to see the Miss Kitty Show. Sasparilla anyone?

         - Bill

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