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Day 13

ROUTE: Dodge City to Great Bend	DISTANCE: 85 miles	WINDS: Howling out of the south. Cross winds at 25-35 with gusts to 45
WEATHER: Overcast and windy. High of 78 with threatening skies	TERRAIN: Flat as a pancake	TOTAL CLIMBING: 200 feet

DAILY REPORT: Happy Cinco de Mayo. First I'd like to thank Jud and Logan for helping me get the website back up and running. For the last 4 days I've been having software problems. I was able to update the site, but I couldn't upload it to the net. Logan showed me another way to upload with my software and it worked...hopefully I'll not have any more problems from here on in. Sorry for the delay.

Boy did we skate today...last night severe storms swept through our area and a town, Greensburg, about 35 miles east of our motel was almost completely destroyed. We were lucky to be out the path of such a severe storm but we'll be in this weather pattern for a couple more days. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the people of Greensburg as we continue our journey.

I was studying the weather radar with great interest this morning as we assembled for departure. The severe weather watches and warnings had moved to our north and all indications were the atmosphere would be perfect for more storms but they would probably hold off until mid afternoon. We briefed everyone on different weather scenarios and cautioned them to be alert for developing storms and not to be afraid to knock on a door for shelter if the weather got bad. With that, we pulled out as soon as we could see down the road. Everyone was anxious to get on the road as we felt the earlier we could get into Great Bend the better.

About 18 miles into our route, we passed a new 364 Megawatt wind turbine facility in Spearville (There area 10,000 Megawatts in the entire US). According to the info provided, Kansas is ranked third in wind potential in the entire country and Dodge City is the windiest city in the US with an average wind speed of 13.9. In light of all that, the name Kansas comes from the Indian word (tribe) "Kansa" meaning "People of the south wind." So one might surmise the winds blow somewhere from the south which the leaning trees confirm (above left). Almost all the tall foliage in this area leans toward the northeast...it's eerie actually. I'm sure the riders were believers today as the prevailing winds howled at 25-35 MPH all day from our right shoulder until after we turned to the NE at 36 miles...then it gave us a little kick to the motel. Everyone got in by noon:30...I'm a relieved ride leader.

At one point today I had stopped by a farm house to help Iain fix a flat and noticed a family standing in the yard. I asked them if they would let me see the weather channel for any changes in our situation. They were very accommodating and tuned in the radar which showed the severe stuff was still to our north. Thanks goes to the Herrmann family just outside of Kinsley...we really appreciate your hospitality and concern for our safety. I'm sorry I upset your dog. Their little 9 inch terrier really didn't like me being there and I hope he's settled down by now.

I wish we had more time to explore the history of Dodge City. The Santa Fe trail was a main trade route through this area 50 years before Dodge was born and the entire area around here was inhabited by Indians and millions of buffalo. Shortly after Dodge sprang up about the time of the Civil War, it was used as a central trade center where hunters could make up to $100 a day shooting buffalo. A hunter and helper could process over 3000 buffalo a month...no wonder the buffalo all but disappeared by the turn of the century. Another attraction in Dodge is the famous "Boot Hill" cemetery. The first burial was in 1872 and got it's name from "planting" folks with their boots on...the cemetery remains a popular tourist attraction today. As Boot Hill can attest, Dodge was one of the most notorious towns in the old west where some of the most famous lawmen walked the streets and tried to bring order to a tough town...gunmen like Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Bill Tilghman, and Doc Holliday were tough hombres and were sometimes as bad as the outlaws they dealt with.

On our way out of town, the first thing we passed was the local feed lot. It didn't have nearly as many head of cattle that I usually see when we are here. I found it interesting that when cattle show up they weigh about 700 pounds and after about 140 days in the lot, they top out at over 1200 pounds...that's living on the fat side I'd say. The processing plant in Dodge is the largest privately owned plant in the US and they process 4000 head a day! And Kansas ranks first in commercial cattle production by processing over 8 million head a year and they provide meat all over the world. That's a lot of bull if you ask me. Another interesting thing about this feedlot...it's labeled on the highway as a scenic overlook. They even have benches where you can sit and take in everything including the aroma since you are sitting north of the lot.

Today we passed the "Mid Point USA" town of Kinsley KS (left). It boasts a sign that states midpoint between New York and San Francisco which usually serves as a photo op for everyone. It's not our "official" half way point, but it's nice to know we are closing in on a milestone. We have a SAG stop there so folks can enjoy the park and take some photos...there's a museum there too that opens normally at 10, but today they opened well after we had gone so no one got to browse. One attraction there is a bike that a guy rode from the east coast in the early 1900s...it still has the original tires. Pappy didn't want to hear that today as he had 3 flats.

Today, being a bit on the short side, usually offers side trips to Ft Larned and Pawnee Rock but due to the impending weather, no one wanted to take the time to do any sightseeing today. Everyone had his/her head down and was trying to get in before the weather had a chance to materialize. They didn't even stop to see Pawnee Rock, about 10 miles on route from our destination, which is the highest point within miles and was the midpoint on the Sante Fe Trail. This high ground was a safe place to camp and gave early travelers shelter from Indian attacks. No one knows why it's called Pawnee Rock. Some say it got its name from the early Indian wars as the Pawnee used this area for protection and as a hunting ground while others say it was because Kit Carson accidentally killed his pack mule when he mistook it for a Pawnee Indian one night while Carson was on watch. His companions laid that label on the area as a jab at his ability as an India n fighter. Maybe that's why we've seen Kit Carson monuments in Arizona and California. He had to leave this area because he was a laughing stock...but he had to get a new mule to get him there.

Well, so far Kansas, in spite of the severe weather in the area, has been relatively nice to us...knock on wood, I've never gotten out of Kansas before without having unfavorable conditions at least one day, but the weather Gods are smiling on us right now. Tomorrow we ride to Abilene and get back to the big mileage days and are forecast for some frisky cross winds and possibly some strong storms. We'll take a close look at the weather before we get on the bikes...hopefully we can find another hole and get in another uninterrupted day of riding. Tune in and we'll see you tomorrow. M

DID I REALLY SAY THAT?:

"I saw birds fly backwards today."

"Why aren't those kids in school?"
"It's Saturday."
"This will make the website won't it?"
"What do you think?"

"Kate was pulling and motioned me to come around for my pull...then, poof... she disappeared in front of me over the horizon."

DID I REALLY DO THAT?:

Scott had a flat and found a tiny sharp stone embedded in his tire. I told him not to run over stuff like that and he said that he would have avoided it but Kate hadn't pointed it out.

DID I REALLY SEE THAT?
In spite of the impending weather, Pam couldn't resist returning to her childhood favorite pastime.	If you look up the word "Flat" in the dictionary, you'd see this picture.
Or you'd see this...	Or this!
Bill was garnering much sympathy for an "injured leg" tonight at rap.	That was the case until he returned and his "injured" leg had changed sides. BUSTED!!!!