Miles: 34.89 Average Speed: 9.57 Max Speed: 17.35
After sitting out thunder storms in Watertown, SD and repairing bike, on the road again. Beastly hot now and humidity is worse. If it isn't storming it's a sauna. Locals say it's the hottest in their memory - don't know. I'm traveling now early, trying to make 30 - 40 miles before noon.
The reality of the road has required itinerary adjustments and attitude adjustments. As long as the heat lasts, shorter distances each day and maybe rest every fourth day. The first step in attitude adjustment is to form expectations for the day after the fact - not too hard to do for one with previous time warp experience.
This morning a guy slowed next to me on the road and asked where I was headed. I said California and he said, "Wow! Do you want a Cliff Bar?", holding one up. I looked around for the film crew and someone to hand me a Cliff Bar cap or something.
Was going to stay in the town park but it is right on the highway, terrible facilities and they're blacktopping around it so it smelled strongly of tar. So another motel.
The whole town looks pretty depressed. No one is friendly. They come across as suspicious. I noticed a couple of signs in town stating that South Dakota is a socialist state. Not sure why unless they refer to the state bank in the state - but maybe that's North Dakota.
Make for Redfield tomorrow. Hope all is well with everyone.
Once while driving through South Dakota I stopped at some small town for a nap in the car under a shade tree. Within 5 minutes a local was on his cell phone talking loudly on the sidewalk about 1/2 block behind me while looking in my direction. Shortly two seemingly very apprehensive cops approached from the rear on each side of my car, hands hovering near pistols. I attributed it to the "Evildoer" sticker on my car's rear bumper. Once the cops saw I was not bin Laden, they relaxed. Just imagine what it would be like if you were crossing Alabama or Georgia.
ReplyDeleteTake it slooooowwwww.....
When you were planning your itinerary and decided on a July departure, I didn't think about the heat factor. It sure does deplete one's energy. An early start and shorter days sounds wise - hope it helps. The cliff bar incident must have energized you. Take Care!!!
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