After a nice dry and cool sleep, I cooked oatmeal with blueberries and coffee before breaking down camp. I woke up at 6:30 and checked the weather, “warmer than yesterday” was the forecast. I hoped I could add miles before the day hit triple digits again.
Twenty miles up the road I see a touring cyclist heading my way, we both instinctively slow to pull over and stop. Mark, from Hawaii, left Arizona and rode north to ride the TransAM route to Yorktown, VA with a few modifications. One variant would be the Katy Trail then south to rejoin the TransAM. Then he will head over sea to tour a bit of Europe.
The visit with Mark lasted most of an hour which seemed only minutes as plans and stories were swapped. Being close to noon and close to the small town of Buhler I turn off route and ride into town. I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the sidewalk cafe while visiting with the local town folk.
Back on route the sun brought this day to another 100° trudge to the town of Sterling, KS. where I will meet Nancy and spend the night. After a large Cherry and Lime milkshake.