Day 92

The new sleeping pad I got is amazing! I sleep so much better on it. I woke up early and was on the trail at 730 am. I tried to walk quickly to beat the heat. I saw an email from someone who had found a card that I left somewhere saying that he appreciated my walk and that he is a year and a half sober. He told me where he found the card and it was the one I left at an overlook yesterday. I told him to look out for me if he was riding west.

He met up just about an hour later. I was honored to meet him. We talked for a few about the disease and I congratulated him on 18 months. He congratulated me on my accomplishments as well. He rode on ahead on his bicycle.

The trail was pretty cool at this section. High cliffs were on the right and the Missouri River was on the left. I came upon my first stop in Rocheport and was welcomed by a few pretty women that were there hanging out. They came over to see what the hell I was doing so I told them. They were nice and asked if I needed anything but I didn’t at the time.

Another guy I had met on the trail was there and he told me he’d buy me breakfast. We went over and ordered a breakfast sandwich and some gatorade. His name is Tony and I didn’t catch his wife’s name. They were awesome though. Very nice and helped me out a lot. Tony used to drive the tour bus for Van Halen and had some stories that related to my cause. He gave me some energy snacks and some money to buy Casey’s pizza later in the evening when I get to my destination.

It was a pleasure meeting them. The owner of the bike shop/ cafe was very nice too. He hooked the breakfast sandwich up. Added all kinds of goodies to it. It was one of the best things I’ve eaten yet on my trip. He also had a couple of innertubes that I bought to end my dilemma of flats. He helped me with information on what was ahead on the trail too. It’s always good to know what you’re getting into…

It was hot by the time I left Rocheport. I had 10 miles to the next stop. I knew it would take a while. I had to stop often for water and to cool down. For me and Domino. There were only a few people on that section of the trail so I was mostly alone out there.

I came up to a hump in the trail. I ran up the slope and then at the top decided to ride Lieutenant Dan down the hill. I sat in the front (domino’s seat) and had my feet sticking out for brakes and steering. I rode down and it was fun. I got out and was laughing to myself and I turned around and there were two cyclists behind me who saw the whole thing and were waiting to ride by.

Oops. Hahahaha. I just laughed as they passed by. I was just having some fun. I walked on further and there were these little white puffs balls flying in the air. Some sort of seed from a tree I guess. They were annoying at first because they fly right into your face. But I chose to make that fun as well.

I pretended that I was flying through a meteor shower and made sound effects as I dodged them. Yeah.. it can be boring sometimes. I came upon a bench next to some old silo and hung around in the shade. I was so hot that I didn’t even care about all the bugs all over me. I just laid there and cooled off. Then one of those little guys bit the hell out of me. I thought that I got stung by a wasp at first but the pain went away in a couple of minutes.

I kept pushing closer and closer to the campground until I finally got there. I rolled up and a guy saw my cart and asked about the walk. I talked to him about it and he offered to take me up to the gas station and buy me some pizza and drinks. The A/C in his car was the best feeling ever. He let Domino ride with us. I got some pizza and green tea and went back to eat and then shower and then set up my tent.

I laid there feeling refreshed until I started sweating again. It’s just hot. I’m gonna have to deal with it. I’m still having fun though!