{"id":17156,"date":"2015-08-01T21:17:33","date_gmt":"2015-08-02T01:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=17156"},"modified":"2015-08-02T17:29:12","modified_gmt":"2015-08-02T21:29:12","slug":"day-22-saturday-august-1-ainsworth-to-oneil-nebraska","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=17156","title":{"rendered":"Day 22. Saturday, August 1 – Ainsworth to O’Neil, Nebraska"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interesting Sunrise!\"DSCN5537\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s that sailor saying, “Red skies at Night, Sailors Delight……”<\/em>; guess it is a good thing we are are bicycles!<\/p>\n

Two blocks from our hotel, the weather weeny started whining,\"IMG_0792\"<\/a> as the wind whipped around us, dropping the temperatures five degrees;\"DSCN5544\"<\/a> Jerry patiently waited through the tantrum and then we headed on. \u00a0We had started early (7:00) as the temperatures were going to be in the 90’s, but for now it was a very cool 61\u00b0 with a whipping southwest wind. \u00a0After a few rolling hills at the start, we were warmed up quickly. \u00a0The sky was magnificent,\"IMG_0795\"<\/a> if you did not stop to think of the implications the storm that surrounded us, had.\"DSCN5562\"<\/a> \u00a0With the cool temps\u00a0we were pedaling hard to stay ahead of the storm (it had a good head start on us-note the pile of hail),\"DSCN5564\"<\/a>taking pictures like crazy\"DSCN5557\"<\/a> of the ever changing sky;\"DSCN5569\"<\/a> as well as, trying to take advantage of the cool morning\u00a0while it lasted. At one point the sun tried to peak through, \"DSCN5567\"<\/a>soaring the temperatures to a balmy 64\u00b0 and making the dark clouds even more dramatic. \"DSCN5575\"<\/a>The storm that surrounded us\u00a0made for a very interesting\"DSCN5594\"<\/a> and beautiful morning in the sand hills.\"DSCN5601\"<\/a>Shortly after ten, we started to get sprinkled on; not enough for windshield whippers, but a bit damp. By 11:00, we reached our last stop for food and decided on a rest; we had already pumped out 46 miles. \u00a0Before we had our early lunch on the table, the\u00a0wind was whipping and it was\u00a0pouring. \u00a0After our leisurely lunch, the rain showed no signs stopping, much less, slowing down. \u00a0With the storm, the internet was not coming in, to gauge the direction or duration of the storm. \u00a0Though everyone in the restaurant tried to be accommodating with their<\/em> smart phones, nothing was working. \u00a0After an hour and a half of waiting, we threw our jackets on and headed out into the cold (61\u00b0) pouring rain; faces pressed against the glass and hands waving from our warm and secure stop. \u00a0The rain stopped shortly thereafter, \"DSCN5615\"<\/a>but the southwest winds were strong and in our southerly direction, giving us a workout. \u00a0We pedaled hard to maintain 10 mph. \u00a0Just short of our stop, the sun was trying to\u00a0make an appearance.<\/p>\n

By the time we had our Duckies\u00a0nestled away, it was 80\u00b0. \u00a0Thankfully, dinner \"DSCN5627\"<\/a>was less than a block away; even with the cool day, after 67 miles we were tired.<\/p>\n\n\t\t