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Independence Day, and we're halfway home. Breakfast at 6:00 had us on the road by 6:30, and we flew all the way to Abilene. Of course, the tailwind helped too. I mean, I was doing 24 mph uphill. At one point, I slowed down so that I could sit up and pedal no-handed (to stretch my back, you see), and I was still going 20. What a day! Aside from the wheat, corn, etc, there wasn't much to see until we got to Abilene, where I spent a little while at the National Greyhound Association. It was closed for the holiday, but I got to see some of the dogs. I think they were in doggie rehab, because they all seemed to have wounds, primarily on the ears or shoulders. But they were so grateful for the attention. I didn't try to pet them, because they can get nippy when they're excited, especially when there's a big group of them like that. But I gave them the back of my hand through the fence, and they practically fell over each other trying to lick my glove. They're such good dogs. Even with that interlude, and a little time looking at the victorian houses in Abilene, I got into the hotel at 11:00. Had lunch with Andy and Dan, did a little hand-wash. Didn't go to the Eisenhower Center, because it was over 100 degrees by that point. Started reading the new Harry Potter book, which I (finally) picked up yesterday at the Wal-Mart in McPherson, Kansas. My Nashbar order arrived, with two new jerseys, and a pair of shorts. The jerseys are a Corona team jersey, since we drink so much of it, and what they claim is an authentic reproduction Soviet Air Force team jersey circa 1986 (sponsored by Aeroflot and Lada). At any rate, it's garish, and should be visible. Went to the fireworks at Eisenhower Park, and they were incredible. We didn't know exactly where they were going to be, so we just went where the locals were, and ended up front and center. I have never been so close to a fireworks display; they were going off directly overhead, completely filling the field of vision. Hell of an impressive show for a town this size. Mind you, the finale did not go off quite as scheduled, and involved quite a bit of, shall we say, ground fireworks. But there were no serious injuries, and everyone had a great time. Many thanks to Emily and Neil for arranging this. |
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