Fijis Across America 2010

Nothing is really ours until we share it

-C.S. Lewis

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mo/ash-grove/715126480438524753

After saying our last goodbyes to Mike and pounding down a couple of doughnuts as well as some clif bars (great energy boost) our company left out of the city park in search to find Hartville, MO. I had a somewhat of a good rest tentless under the park’s roofed pavilion, but the night’s humidity was still a bit nagging. After trudging about 46 miles through the towns of Walnut Grove and some other little communities we decided to take a break from riding as we neared the city limits of Marshfield and pick up the riding later on in the evening around 6. It was a relaxing change of pace to beat the raging heat. On the agenda: visiting Springfield. Oh, by the way, awesome job USA Soccer for taking down those Algerians. It was enjoyable to watch Jordan view the game at some of the SAG spots on his phone before arriving in Springfield. And this is where I learned how to pronounce apartheid. lol 

While in Springfield we drove down to Missouri State University where we had the privilege to meet some other brothers and converse on our so far travels. It was good to hear that they were still producing FIJI excellence and it was interesting to listen about when they chartered about a year earlier. They understood some of the same trials we faced about a month ago from chartering. The lunch of Subway sandwhiches they provided hit the spot and watching the longest tennis match ever recorded in history added to the ambiance of the moment. I would just like to say thanks bros for helping us out along the way!

After chilling out for about an hour or so we headed on over to the first ever and largest Bass Pro Shop in the continental USA. It was large and had many unique animal heads mounted up on the walls. The fish tanks were endless and they even had a Starbucks Coffee inside. Me and Cameron used most of the time in the shop sleeping on a huge pontoon boat until a manager approached us and questioned our doing. Man, I couldn’t even lay my head down in this store. Oh well, it was a relaxing time for myself, and it was fun to see what some of the others purchased. Chaz purchased a frog gig—something he has always wanted since he was a small kid and Mitch bought a safari looking hat which really accentuated his rugged, outdoor look.

We ended up finishing the remaining 26 miles of the ride at dusk. I had a good time and placed my bib overalls over the outside of my jersey just to bring some excitement to the group. The evening was cool and extremely refreshing compared the constant humidified heat. I finally arrived at nightfall into Hartville with the guidance of my torch lights and took the time to set up camp on the courthouse lawn. For the night we were joined by another cyclist named Mike who is a student from the University of Central Florida riding to advocate Green Energy. The night was crystal clear as I laid my head down for rest on top of my tarp at around 11, whew its going to be an early morning.