Fijis Across America 2010

*****Due to the fact that I am extremely behind on the blogging roughly about 13 days (shame on me) and that I really don’t remember the complete details behind the remaining miles in Kansas I will only highlight the daily major happenings/experiences. I will try to add as many pictures as possible, however it will be compiled into one album labeled, “Rest of Kansas”. 

June 18—-Nickerson, KS to Cassoday, KS

The road presented itself relatively flat again as we finally left the endless cornfields and the United Methodist Church quite early. Today we were on a strict time schedule as we had to reach the city of Newton by 4 p.m. in order to be welcomed by the Kansas Alzheimer’s Association in the local park. The ride was fairly short and simple with only a few rollers as we finished in Cassoday, KS—-amazingly, the prairie chicken capital of the world. It was a bummer not to see any of the unique birds. Backtracking 30 miles into Newton, we arrived to the event in time, and was warmly greeted by numerous individuals from the local chapter who provided us with Subway sandwhiches and ample amounts of fruit.

After publicly describing our event, I had the wondrous opportunity of talking with an older gentleman by the name of Dwayne. The time spent was inspirational and I will absolutely never forget his meaningful words. He spoke in vivid pictures/parables similar to Jesus’s ministry and spoke encouraging words dealing with persistence and leadership. “Never leave the wood pile where you last left it”, “It’s your attitude and how you respond that makes you a successful individual.” These words will never leave me especially the “409” speech. Once the event concluded we all loaded up and headed to the hotel in Wichita for our much needed rest day after about 6 days in the saddle. Thanks to Cameron’s parents who pitched in and helped us out in the time of need. Throughout the rest day, I caught up on the blogging, enjoyed the hot tub with the rest of the guys, and watched a couple of movies on the tube. 

June 20—-Cassoday,KS to Toronto, KS (63 Miles)

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ks/cassoday/252126480254911961

We departed the Prairie Chicken Capital of the World at about the crack of dawn on a beautiful Father’s Day Sunday. For the special occasion, we dedicated the days ride to all the father’s who have been affected by Alzheimer’s which I lead for the morning. We all made sure to make the special call to our dads and during the dedication we all proudly discussed how influential our dad’s have been in our personal lives.  The terrain transformed quite abruptly from the generally flat to the occasional hill landscape, climbing roughly 700 feet in elevation gains. We traveled through some of the small towns of Eureka, Bachelor Township, and Neal before finally arriving in the Toronto Lake State Park. The place was well kept and would designate the place for our overnight accommodation. The lake was definitely a relaxing change in scenery and I spent the rest of the evening reading, talking on the phone to relatives back home, and swinging in Chaz’s hammock. Supper was actually fixed over the coleman stove for a change which consisted of cream and mushroom and a setting sun to view. After consuming the carbs, I took a shower and retired for the night in Chaz’s Eno Hammock. First time in the hammock was amazing!

June 21—Toronto, KS to Girard, KS (83 Miles)

Today’s ride was dedicated to the desk clerk at the Hampton Inn we stayed at in Wichita, KS. She was getting married in a month and her father would had Alzheimer’s. We were all touched by her story of being afraid her father would walk her down the aisle and not even recognize her true identity. The state park was a tremoundous overnight accommodation and it was actually quite sad to leave the spacious beautiful serenity of the lake. But there are miles still to be traveled. For me today was mentally as well as physically draining as we began to summit steeper hills only precursors to the ones awaiting in Missouri. We traveled through the small cities of Benedict, Chanute, Coyville, and ended the route in Girard, KS. In Girard we had the gracious opportunity of staying with Terry and Maurice in their 2 story southern belle home, which was a perfect location. After an ad had been placed in their local newspaper saying “6 college students need a place to stay in Girard” for quite sometime with no response, Terry and Maurice took upon themselves to take action and house the 6 strangers out of their own humbleness. Maurice is actually the mayor of Girard.  Their stories will never be forgotten. While at their house we ate a huge dinner of chicken, potatoes, and cream puffs provided by the local Alzheimer’s chapter and we were even visited by the local tv station as well newspaper. We all smiled pretty and said many many thank yous. What a night, could this trip get any more refreshing??

June 22—Girard, KS to Ash Grove, MO (82 Miles)

 http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ks/girard-/214126480374187843

Ahhh! Finally out of Kansas and into Missouri! After leaving Girard at around 8 and saying our last goodbyes to Terry and Maurice we set out in high anticipation for state number 6. Hopefully Missouri will have much in store and it live up to its name “showing” us many pleasures and thrills. Close to mile 20 I crossed over into the new lands, watched Chaz drain down a cermonial Sunkist bought at a nearby gas station, and talked to another Transam cyclist from Australia. I knew he was thinking we were all pansies for not carrying any weight but oh well its his own fault. His father actually suffered from Alzheimer’s so we took the time to ask him some questions and capture his answers on Tyler’s handheld camera. After that, I said  Goodday mate and he took off blazing his trail through Kansas. 

As we rode through Pittsburg, KS we were all singing along on the bike, as we frequently do to pass the time, to Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash.  As we were singing, a man on the side of the road stopped us.  It turned out to be the general council of Phi Gamma Delta that had seen us on television.  He was very encouraging and we all enjoyed talking with him and giving him the fraternity handshake. This is in fact is the place where we like to say that I lost my handshake virginity. 

As we neared Ash Grove, we discovered a rock quarry that had been flooded over the years. Taking into the account the humidity we all decided to jump in for a while and swim in the coolness of the waters. It was clear and highly enjoyable. Nice job by the way Wade for taking care of your business. After the dip in the quarry, the rollers of Missouri began to appear and it was a pain for the next 20 miles into Ash Grove. Up and down, up and down……Missouri will be fun!

When we arrived in the Ash Grove City Park we were greeted by a 63 year old retired mechanic named Mike who was traveling from Saint Louis to Oregon. He actually was in the Marine Corp for a couple of years and his stories were quite cyncial, but extremely hilarious. It was a treat to converse with him throughout the night and we even invited him to eat supper with us at the Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant. Thanks for all the jokes and history lessons, Mike, I really enjoyed  them all and I hope you have the time of your life to Oregon.