Day Thirty-Eight: Bracing for the Badlands

What a day.

The ride was hot! This Mid-West heat wave is taking a toll on us, slowing us down and pressuring the water van to make securing ice for water a priority (there's nothing worse than a bottle of warm water on a blistering day). The temperature today peaked around 104 degrees, though the soil and rock of the Badlands    can radiate heat, making the Badlands top around 120 degrees (note: this information was given to us by a local. The rocky land certainly radiated heat, but I question whether it was as hot as 120 degrees).

So it was a long day, and the group moved slow, making all the climbs that day more difficult (personally, it's more difficult for me to climb slower than to just push my way up a hill, but I'm part of a team and I don't want to create a gap or leave a rider alone to climb). Tensions were high as we turned onto a hilly dirt road...

Rolling Hills as far as the eyes can see...with the Badlands lurking in the far off distance.

But we persevere as always, and before I realized it we were entering the Badlands!

Turning into the Badlands; It's an awesome National Park for cycling! 

The Badlands stretch on for miles and miles. The park covers a total of 244,000 acres.

Rock formations like this one line the roads of the park, left by water long ago.

We had the rare opportunity to encounter a bighorn sheep up close!

The different colors indicate different types of soil.

Trees burst through the rock-soil down from the cliffs.

The Badlands terrain is commonly used for moonscape scenes in films.

Tonight we're camping in the Badlands. It's my first true camping experience (I don't count sleeping in the tent in the host's backyard in Mitchell, SD). I'm perfecting my ability to set up a tent, which will be a skill needed later in the trip. Due to a high fire danger, we won't be able to have a camp fire tonight. Luckily, we don't need to cook dinner because we were able to secure enough donations from the nearby town of Wall, SD. Some are calling tonight "luxury camping." For me, nothing about this is luxurious. You can take the city-boy out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the boy. Let's see how I adapt to nylon walls and a sun-thermostat.

Goodnight from Under the Rain-fly,

James

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Today was dedicated to a man I met while driving the van into Chamberlain, SD. He saw our van parked on the street--we were lost and looking for our host--and came over to speak to us about his ongoing battle with cancer. He was inspired by our efforts and graciously thanked us for it. Wherever he is, I hope he is doing well and continues his fight.

Day Thirty-Seven: The Moon Lights the Way to Midland

Today we woke up too early--so early that we were ready before the sun was risen, before we could safely leave our lovely Chamberlain host. We awaited the first sign of light and then headed off towards Midland.

We crossed the Missouri nearly by the light of the moon--and a few scattered street lamps.

The river was just waking up as the first sign of light appeared over the Missouri River area.

Mary Joe Garnis, the donor from yesterday, brought her son to meet up with us along our route. She generously provided soda-pop and water. Thank you!

The ride pretty much looked like this--the whole way...

 

We falsely assumed that SD was entirely flat. This shot was taken from atop a climb.

It turned out to be a long, hot day that ended with a much earned descent into Midland!

A flat before the descent slowed me down and just made a long day even longer. However, I've come to expect the unexpected on the road, graciously dealing with each obstacle as it appears. And, over time, I'm further learning to view every obstacle as a mere challenge, an opportunity to show what I can do as part of a team.

Tomorrow we're heading into the Badlands, which we're all super excited for. It's a highlight of our route and  a unique terrain that not many of us have seen before.

Bringing it to the Badlands,

James

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Today was dedicated to Mary Jo Garnis and others like her who support us with their enthusiasm and generosity. We could not do this without you!

Day Thirty-Six: Chugging on to Chamberlain

I left this morning as passenger in the water van with Casey driving on my left and Doug in the back. It was still early, the sun had yet to rise and the sky had only just begun to lighten. Under the faded purple sky we chalked the route ahead. It was a boring one, flat land through South Dakota, dotted with power lines running over open fields of grain and corn.

That's the teams mascot on the right, a stuffed bear donated by Mary from That Place in Utica

The morning fog had me slightly concerned for the riders' safety, but the fog soon dissipated, ushered away by the rising sun:



As the day dragged on and the heat came upon us swiftly we turned our efforts to securing ice water. Ice water has become a necessity on these excessively hot days. The lack of shade along the route made ice even more a priority. Unfortunately, no places were open until later, and the first water stop remained ice less. After all, it was a Sunday morning in the middle of rural SD.



But the riders trudged on and were soon rewarded by entering the charming city of Chamberlain, SD. The city is situated on the Missouri River and offered some  fantastic views, which were greatly welcomed after the long, flat roads:



Of course, where there is water Team Seattle must swim, so we stopped on the beach after checking in at the host. Check out the riverfront:



I'm glad that I got van duty out of the way for another week, and that everyone had I great day overall. We even had a filling lunch, dinner, and showers. There's not much more you can ask for--except for a good night's sleep. So with that, goodnight.

Sleepy by the Missouri,
James

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Today's efforts were dedicated to the Erickson family.

Day Thirty-Five: Two Halves Make a Whole

We've made it this far, we've come halfway. What a strange feeling.

I'm still not quite sure how I feel about reaching the halfway point. It's a strange place to be. Part of me doesn't want to reach the halfway point because that means the journey is closer to its end. I'm having fun, seeing new places, meeting great people, and creating fantastic memories to last a lifetime. Why would I want that to end?

But there's another life to return to. Here on the trip we call it the "Real World" and reference it with a removed sense of yearning nostalgia and longing dread. Our feelings, needless to say, are mixed. I miss the people I've been separated from; I miss home's comforts and familiar spaces. I'm eager to return with new experiences, stories to share, and a refreshed outlook on the world. Thus, part of me is glad that we're already halfway through.

I don't know where to stand. Actually, if there's another thing this trip has taught me it's that I know exactly where to stand--right where I am. I want to go home and I want to stay here. I wish I could fuse the 4K into the Real World and seep in the moment forever.

But I can't, and I accept that. So I'm just going to forget the day's number and the miles to go. I'm just going to enjoy the travel while it lasts and make the most of every opportunity along the way. I'm going to miss the people I love and I'll sometimes wish for home's comforts--all the way to Seattle. Each day is an adventure, so I'll take it one adventure at a time.

My halves will just have to compromise: enjoy the moment now, rejoice in home later and never forget where you stand.

The Moment is Now,
James

Day Thirty-Four: Moving to Mitchell

We've moved on over to Mitchell, South Dakota, home of the World Famous Corn Palace-- a building covered in artwork created from ears of Indian Corn.

Today's host is unusual as we're staying with a woman and her family whom we contacted through Couchsurfer (a community where people offer up and look for places to stay for one or two nights). Tonight I've decided to sleep in a tent in the backyard in order to help alleviate congestion and open up some floor space. It's my first time setting up and sleeping in a tent so I'm curious to see how it will go.

Here are the pictures from today's route, including one of the Corn Palace (very anticlimactic):













Tomorrow's rest day is a much needed one (then again, what rest day isn't needed on this trip) and I look forward to exploring more of Mitchell.

In addition, tomorrow marks the half-way point, day 35 of our 70 day journey. I'll analyze how I feel about that tomorrow, for now I just want to enjoy the night and today's successful riding.

Good Night, as the Moon Rises over Mitchell,
James
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Today was dedicated to Julian. You can read more about this little boy and his story through Jogger's for Julian.

Day Thirty-Three: Swinging into Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Today was Megan's twenty-first birthday, and I had the privilege of being drafted for her birthday group. Now, Megan likes to go fast, and it was her birthday so we my group couldn't disappoint...

So we made it to Sioux Falls well before the heat--despite making today a surprise century by adding on an extra 8 miles due to a wrong turn. WHOOPS. My legs were sore, very sore, but I was alive, accomplished, and had one of the best days on this trip thus far.


Check out views from the route:

Another early start to try to beat the heat.

A local told us that there are about 700-800 windmills in this area.

Sweet, rolling hills...

By this point we were hungry and wanting lunch, but we still had a little ways to go.

After having a delicious dinner and performing a presentation for our hosts, some of us set off to the Palisades State Park. The park was gorgeous. After swimming in the river, I attempted to rock climb. The first attempt went well, as the first rock face was less complex than the other. The other rock face I attempted to climb didn't go so smoothly. I got past the hardest part, which was the very beginning. But about halfway up I realized that I would not be able to get down safely (it actually was possible I just didn't think I could do it). So I started to panic. Mid panic I turned around, sat down on the ledge I was on, and proceeded to cling to the rock and catch my breath. I waited. Eventually Megan came around the corner and was able to help coax me down, like a cat stuck in a tree, going as far as to hold my right foot in mid air while I scaled down the rock face using my left foot.

Views from Palisades:

So I'm not exactly a rock climber. I guess I'll have to work on that.

Climbing to New Heights--Sort Of,
James

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Today was dedicated to the residents of the Minneapolis Hope Lodge, who I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and entertaining. Stay strong, stay hopeful.

Day Thirty-Two: Beating the Heat to Marshall

The hotter it gets, the earlier we awake--and the heat is on the rise. Today we got up with the sun:



That way we're riding in the cooler, more enjoyable weather. The route today was rolling, though the skies were blue and open:



We made great timing, and made it to host before the heat of the day. Of course, getting up early has its drawbacks, like the general lack of sleep that accompanies it and the fact that 12 pm comes to feel more like 5 pm, so your internal clock is off from the rest of society. But you get a lot done early.

Early Bird Catches the Worm,
James

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Today was dedicated to a woman I met in Minneapolis. Her adult son is battling two different forms of blood cancer, one of which is rare and genetic, and the other one which may or may not respond to a bone marrow transplant. To this mother and her son--STAY STRONG. Best of luck on treatment and recovery. Don't lose hope, that's what we're riding for.