A Little Jaunt Across Kansas

[Bruce Day]

What better to do in early summer than to take a little bike ride and smell the flowers. So several of us went on the Bike Across Kansas and went 543 miles across the state. We were 70, 62(me) and 58. The youngster is thinking about running for a state office and wanted to renew connections. There were 800 riders from the cities, small towns and farms of Kansas and from 38 states. The oldest were an 80 year old man, an 84 year old woman. The youngest rider of his own power was 11. A 5 year boy was towed by his 20something mom all the way across on a bike trailer with pedals. A grandfather rode across with his two year old granddaughter on a bike seat behind him.

We went through Syracuse, Garden City, St John, Jetmore, Halstead, Eureka, Humboldt and Paola.

I wanted to do an in person game bird survey. Its been a good winter without much winter loss. Everywhere I heard bobwhite quail and pheasants.

Photo 1, I think we are Colorado, but I don't see any mountains.

Photo 2, A weedy, brushy wheat field with a tree border. Maybe some birds in there.

Photo 3, We tent out and get our bags hauled for us. 800 riders, ages from 5 to 84, all shapes and sizes, about half men and half women.

Photo 4, we have fun gals who provide water and refreshments about every ten miles. They dress in different outfits every day.

Photo 5, the wheat is about ready for harvest.