Posts
The Life's Too Short Tour
(Since completing the trek I've been working on a book about the journey to be published in 2011. )
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Day 57: Enroute to Kansas: Down from the Hills
Missouri
This maps shows the final leg of the route through Missouri that I will make today and tomorrow. It represents the end of the hills and mountains and the beginning of prairie. You can click to map to enlarge it for a better view of the topography.
I took a detour into Springfield, Missouri, where I spent Thursday night, then pedaled north on Friday to camp at Ash Grove. There are photos and reports from both of those days, which I will publish at tonight's stop, either Golden City or Pittsburg, Kansas. There is much to tell, but little time to tell it.
In the past two days I have encountered increasingly flat ground. The flat ground is a much different experience to bicycle on. Wind is more of an issue. A strong headwind can stop you in your tracks. A tailwind boosts you along noticeably. For the first time on the trek I am using high gear, finally being able to engage the 50-tooth chain ring (the largest sprocket in the front) to gain speed along the flats. Actually being able to stretch out and pedal is a new experience after the incessant climbing, shifting and coasting required from Virginia to Missouri. The flat ground is bike-friendly terrain. And so this is the end of the mountains of the east, today I will coast down the descent of the last one, somewhere between Ash Grove, where I am now at the library, and the Kansas border about 80 miles away. Next are the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, a couple of weeks or more away.
until later...
4 comments:
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Hi Tom,
It's hard to believe that you're almost to Kansas! You've got this tour half done and I'm lost for words in my amazement of it all. That we get to share this with you puts it over the top.
This is a good time to catch up on one of your past postings...your Army Memoir. Although I knew that you were in Honduras for some of your Army tour, I didn't know what your job entailed. Now I'm glad of my ignorance....I would have been a wreck. Your account of the close call on the helicopter electrified me. That was nothing short of a miracle....not your time....only more preparation for the path He has you following. And He has prepared you so well....as you cross this land, it's amazing to me that people are drawn to you from all walks of life, and that you can converse with them on all kinds of issues, with no limitations. It seems as though all of your life experiences have been a gift...they have made you all that you are today....strong, committed, intelligent, with compassion and respect for all living things. And still you're out there, learning, giving, growing. That's how I see it and I wanted you to know.
Oh yeh, almost forgot, the recent pictures of you with your bike are GREAT. You're looking GREAT! I look at that bike and wonder how in the world you've done this with just the gear that's on that bike!! It really does make a case for what we actually need in this life!
Tailwinds for Tommy!
Love,
Kathy
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Tom,
See you are heading for Lamar. Mo. If you talk to anyone in that town ,ask about old friend of ours His name is Carl Jungmann , or maybe his kids might be around there. If you found him, give him our email address.
We were stationed together at fort sill .
Keep up the good work.
Uncle Milt
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Hi Tom,
I met you this morning in Ash Grove on the corner of some street and 160. It was awesome to meet you and find out what you were doing! Many blessings as you continue on your journey! Have FUN. Enjoy the ride!
Natalie
Look forward to your upcoming post with more stories and photos. Wishing you all the best on your journey today. I'll be checking in again later in the day.
Thinking of you.
Elisa