Coast2Coast Day 35: Murdo to Fort Thompson, SD; spectacular tailwind and vicious crosswind!
We waited to leave Murdo until after the overnight rain stopped, at about 8:00A. Chris texted us from Cedar Pass Campground to inquire whether we had experienced the same severe winds and rain. Fortunately, we had spent the night indoors. Chris was awakened at ~1:00A with what he referred to as F5 winds, and was afraid he AND his tent would be lifted away!
Daniel and I were treated to a spectacular tailwind from Murdo to Reliance. 20+ mph riding uphill in top gear was not unusual! The terrain was a bit more varied than the day before, with more trees and gentle rolls. We reached Presho in under two hours, and stopped at the convenience store gas station. The counter attendant had on a shirt that nothing runs on empty, but my retort was that my bike had zero petrol, and was fairly speedy today.
When we stopped to take off our jackets, a maintenance worker in his pick-up stopped to talk. We asked him where he was heading, and he responded that he was headed to the Cafe for coffee. He asked whether he could give us a ride. With a chuckle, we said, ‘No!’
We did not need a slip stream to hustle to Reliance. Once we turned North, though, the crosswind was vicious. We travelled by wheat and corn fields, and along rice paddies on our way to cross the bridge at Big Bend Dam. The birds and water fowl along the way were different than what we had seen, and the wind across the prairie grass was causing the fields to ‘wave.’
It was grands to first see the Missouri River and the Big Bend Dam! We came across the bridge and down into the Left Tailrace Recreation Area to camp for the night. The cross wind across the dam was something more than significant!
We met Lori at the entrance to the camping area. She was attentive, and move our campsite to another with more shade. The showers were the BEST! Phil also enjoyed a siesta in the hammock!!
We met Dale and Tammy with the Kansas City Police Athletic League. The League takes some of their 60-90 youth on weekly excursions. This week they are treating some to first-time fishing, both daylight and night-time. It is great to have adults and youth together, doing things that may be different than what they would encounter each day. It has been exciting to see the youth testing their casting skills, and hopefully they will have some catching experiences, too!
Cathy made another great dinner/nutritious meal for Daniel and I to enjoy, along with a couple of adult beverages. We had the opportunity to enjoy the showers here at a state park in South Dakota (THE BEST)! Being on an island in the middle of the Missouri River, with some water flowing and barges bellowing, should provide the background to a great evening of rest and sleep.
Today, Daniel was able to connect with his mother and explain why his path across the United States is a bit different than originally planned. He said he had connected with some really crazy and engaging folks. (I think he meant Cathy and I!!). Cathy and I were able to connect with my sister in Westlake, OH. She is hoping to meet us somewhere on our path across Kentucky. (We did warn her that Daniel may need a place to stay if he chooses a route across Ohio post-RAGBRAI.)
Certainly, another grand day!!