'Cross the Wide Missouri, Again

Last night we tucked a rolled-up rug against the door jamb and stuffed a towel under the window air conditioning unit to stop the drafts in our motel room. We slept snug and warm in our sleeping bags.

This morning as we left McLaughlin, a familiar pick up truck came behind us blowing its horn. The driver called out the window as she rolled past.

"Did you leave the key in the room?"

"Yes!"

"Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

We rode hills today. Long 20 mph descents were followed by unending climbs at 8 or 7 or 6 mph. On one hill my speedometer read 3 mph.

Clever reader that you are, you are probably thinking "3 mph? That's a walking pace!" You have guessed our secret. It was a good day for a walk.

Prairie dogs barked at us from their town beside the road.

As we have progressed east we have seen huge fields of sunflowers. They would have been pretty a few weeks ago but now the flowers are played out. The seed heads are drooping in anticipation of harvest.

We have also seen more and more cornfields among the acres of wheat.

We crossed the Missouri River again heading into Mobridge. It is wider here,, probably 3/4 mile across.

After lunch and an unsuccessful search for a gas canister for BJ's stove we continued on to Selby where we are spending the night in the City Park. Selby boasts that it has been the home of two of South Dakota's governors, George T. and George S. Mickelson.

My drivetrain was making an ugly squeaking noise today. The chain, cogs, chainrings, and derailleur pulleys were filthy. There was no surprise in that after a month on the road. I bought a new toothbrush when we got to Selby and used the old one to clean my drivetrain. A few drops of fresh oil and the squeak was fixed.

Tonight we got the distressing news that BJ's mother has been hospitalized. We will see what that means for the rest of our ride. She is in my prayers.

Today's mileage: 55. Trip total: 1568

Update: BJ's mom is, as of this posting, on her way home from the hospital.