Atchison, Kansas

Kansas! At last! we rolled in this morning, went to the visitors center, got insid and old train, went to an awesome bike shop, pet a cat, went to the library and after this we'll be getting food and some supplies. We like Atchison.

Here are a few pictures (from awhile back, but thats ok!)


Dylan with Mom and Pop


Dylan and I just before starting the big ride!!!

It's been 17 days since then, we've crossed missouri, gained stink and lost weight.

We've had a few hard hilly windy days so far. It was a challenge to keep our heads up and go forth but we did! we have a few more days of hills, then we get a quick rest in Iowa and Nebraska, then some mountains, then more flat, then more mountains. I think by our next batch of hills we should be good n' strong and it'll be easy as pie. My ankle is slowly getting better. We've done a lot of easy days and resting, and We plan on taking a longer break in a few days once we hit Council Bluffs. Maybe we'll find a vegetarian restaurant there! Since I last wrote we've stayed in a dumpy little campground outside Henrietta, MO (big train town...I thought about you, Ashley!), the Watkins Mill State Park (a really nice place that I have to advertise here...we biked up a giant hill to the campground to be told that they didn't have any spots left...BUT...they never turn away touring cyclists so the ranger found us some grass to pitch our tent! awesome!), and the Lewis and Clark State Park (where we met our new friend Justin who started in NYC and is doing the same route as us. We'll probably keep on seeing him along the way!). I got to pet some horses and we got chased by LOTS of dogs, including 3 tiny little yorkies who chased us about 1/4 of a mile. All the cows we pass stare us down. it's very strange. Dylan even got about 6 to chase him down a hill (in their fence, of course)

So things are going great, we're happy and having fun! We've met nothing but friendly wonderful people so far. And as usual, we miss you and love you!

*Quick thing I forgot to talk about in my last post...along the Katy Trail we stayed at the Turner Katy Trail Shelter in Tebbets. It's a hostel especially for bikers that has a DIY bike shop, ping pong tables, lots of beds, a fridge and a microwave. It was wonderful! If any of you happen to be on the Katy Trail in the future (which I would highly reccomend) make sure you stop there!