Again, a good nights sleep in the newly innovated Eureka Timberline 4 tent. The state park was a great call for a safe and comfortable stay. No, I am not selling tickets to the long branch state park. Rising with the 7 a.m. sun the trio is yet again famished from a long day of riding and a longer night of cooking our gourmet dinners and staying up past 11 p.m. just to scarf it down. We set up the breakfast table with oatmeal and other morning essentials eat with a raging rivers pace and begin the daily pack. Before too much work the trio, not but twenty yards from the lake, ready themselves for a morning dip. All fun and games through it's time to continue our journey west. Into some of the hardest hills yet, long and slight but will make you tired and tight.
Leaving the park is almost heartbreaking, the beauty of the prarie with a receeding forest hairline much prettier than miles upon miles of winding highway (above).
On our way to Chilicothe, MO. usually around twenty miles into the day we stop and fuel up. Today was no different and with the emptiness of hunger on our minds we hit up one of the finest stock (beef) market diners this side of the Mississippi. Well, after a very good meal and a light stretch, on again, we hit the road. Chilicothe, here we come (below).
Once there we try to hit up yet another Wal-Mart but this time with a larger request. Finding the cutest little boy out side telling us about his 3 year old abilities and how he's going to be able to do so much more after his birthday in August (below).
we are looking for the store manager, well for a minute actually he was outside pushing carts, a question was put forth.... We heard you could campout at Wal-Mart's is that true? and if so can we? Inevitably the answer being no, only RV camping is allowed which in many aspects isn't really camping. He offers we could stay in the old WM parking lot but they don't own it anymore, so he had no idea what he was offering. With enough hot air and ugly white WM bricks we push off looking for a church yard with a nice tree.
(Sam un-enthused about being infront of another Wal-Mart)
Church pickens were numerous but the yard and tree were slim. Swinging down through the back street and around potholes we spot a beautiful tree in a large episcopal yard. Asking the pastor inside if we can dance out under his oak tree and without hesitation we bust out the dancin' shoes and eat. Of course talking about the day and just how stiff we are a crowd always begins to form around our auras of greatness. And we are very thankful for the crowds or we would have slept outside this night.
Anyway Steve was the first to pop the question; where you from? Where you goin'? He told us of his stories of AlCan tours on his motorcycle and was very enthusiastic to hear ours. Offering us, in the snow ball fashion as many of these encounters do, first soda and with a lack of fervor we kindly deny the offer. He then returns with some ice tea and with much excitment we devour the tea with supper. Again he comes back and informs us of his empty rental that has a bath and offers us a way to clean for the night, without hesitation we accept. Sam asks if a sponge bath may be in order as well and with an easy and sly reply Steve lets Sam know he's not given' em but we can sponge whomever we wants. With free bath and an empty rental inevitiably we are given free roam of both and spend a great night in Chilicothe, MO.
(Luke experiencing the snowball effect, from ice tea to bathwater)
A huge motel 7 thank you goes out to Steve and Nikki for giving us the opportunity to experience young bachelor life; a nice home but no furniture.
Miles: 64
Morale: Surf's up!
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