Day 19. Wednesday, July 29 – Chadron to Gordon, Nebraska
Wednesday 29 July 2015
Beautiful cool morning facing directly into the sun,
as we headed on our easterly course. The fields seemed greener
and there were interesting
things
to see along Historic Route 20;
some very
different
things, too…..can’t make this stuff up!
We rolled up 
17 manageable (and beautiful)
miles to the 4000 foot summit of Pine Ridge,
that had filled our morning horizon. There was no downhill to our ridge and most of the trees disappeared
replaced by lush farmland in the middle of harvest.
We passed small towns,
big farms,
prehistoric vehicles
and an old railroad.
We had pumped out almost 35 miles by 11:00, when we reached our lunch stop. The southeast breeze was picking up, when we waddled away from lunch, and the temperatures were still in the low 70’s, perfect. From here, the route was slightly downhill and with the wind on our shoulder
we sailed
through the next few towns
to reach our town for the night. 
Made a quick stop at the store for some supplies, while Jerry garnered Nebraska wisdom from a local (family roots go back 130 years).
“Nebraska’s weather is great, but not for women and horses” and another classic, “The settlers came here with nothing and managed to hold on to all of it.”
Met another “rancher” (don’t call them farmer, ouch) at dinner, just as friendly. He works over 1000 cattle on his ranch from sunrise to sundown, “…and it gets a bit tough and lonely in the winter when it’s 37° below Zero!”
We solved the worlds problems over Chicken Fried Steak,
then said our good nights and farewells.
Karen Says:
Reading your narrative with great interest, and yearning to be on the road again, on two wheels.
MaryEllen Says:
That’s it – chicken fried steak for dinner! Bordeaux – no wine mentioned – huh? 🙂 Nice to see that you are going through more “towns”. Not such a lonely road that way.
Courtney Says:
Lori, Thoroughly enjoying the pictures. A beautiful part of the country that few get to see. I get to bike vicariously through you and Jerry !!
Travis Says:
Looks like you are seeing more people per mile now. Lot’s going on in the Heartland. Lot of work and working of the land. Local corn on your plate I hope. (Foreign corn in my post).
Robyn Says:
Enjoying the pics…especially Mount Rushmore, Deadwood and all the quaint little towns in between. Must be quite the history lesson. Pedal on!
Mel Says:
great photos as usual. Hope you are having a great time.
Mel Says:
looks like a great day. Keep on trucking.
Jerry & Lori Says:
ME, good pick-up. no beer or wine this night.