Day 47, Newton, Kansas, rest day.

Gary, Loraine, Ralph, Caron, and my mom leaving to go back to Topeka.

In front of the restaurant for a group shot.

We went for the buffet, notice how much food is on Ted's plate. And that's only the first one.



This old historical house is actually a museum these days. They were closed when we stopped by.

This crow flew into a glass door and was unable to fly. We helped his on his way, but he kept flying into the same glass door. He finally died from his ordeal.


Notice if you will on the left side of the door. Normally you would see a no smoking sign, but here, they rather you not bring a gun. I can understand that.

We ran across these two ducks on main Street Newton. They weren't in the least bit concerned about our presence.


Some of the churches in this area are really impressive. This one was no exception.

This is an old stage theater. Something like the old Varsity on Oahu where they had live performances instead of movies.

The train station. One day I wanna ride a real train.

Main Street. This street actually goes on for miles.


Day 47, Newton, Kansas. Rest day, "Visitors From Molokai". 13.40 miles.

I have been waiting for this day ever since i found out that there might be a chance that my mom folks would be able to see us here in Newton. That's why we took the rest day.

This morning Lisa and I got up late, and kind of just hung out taking advantage of the wireless. Then at about 9 o'clock, we decided to go to town, to see about breakfast. We got on our bikes, and headed to Maine Street, where everything was at. After stopping at Taco Bell and finding it closed, we ended up next door at McDonald's. We knew that this would be the best chance at finding a movie theater so we asked a couple of locals if and where it would be. To our luck, it was all the way on the other side of town. We are talking six miles away. We decided to go anyway. once there, we found it to be closed. The earliest showing was at 2:35 in the afternoon. It was still only a little after 9, so we weren't planning on hanging around. On the ride back, we stopped at Wal-Mart to look for a tire gauge for Lisa. While in there, I ended up buying a small computer to replace the one I was using that got broken. Some how the screen got shattered, making it very difficult to do anything constructive on it.

my family arrived at our motel just after 6 o'clock. It was really good to see them again. We hugged and exchanged greetings as we made plans for dinner. They had driven all the way from Topeka, over a hundred miles away. Gary Hickman and his wife Loraine along with my mom, brother Ralph, and sister in law Carol all started driving from Florida, to Georgia to visit Gary's brother Lenny, then to Missouri, then Kansas where they visited Gary's other brother Kenny, and his mom in Topeka. So coming another hundred some odd miles to wee us was really a big effort on their part.......................... We all jumped into the car, and headed for Jacky Chen's, a Chinese restaurant here in Newton. We ended up going for the buffet, where we all had a great meal and great time. My mom asked if I had enough money, you know how moms are. I assured her I had enough, but she still insisted on giving me some anyway. my brother also wanted to make sure I was okay and gave me money also. It actually came in handy, because the computer really wasn't in my budget for this trip. Thanks mom, and thanks Ralph. That was a big help. And thanks Gary and Loraine for driving them all the way down here to see us. it was really nice seeing you all.

After dinner, we hung around talking for a while before having to leave since they had a long drive ahead of them back to Topeka. Before departing, i gave my mom a big hug, and told her I would be home for her 92nd birthday in August. I hugged both Carol and Loraine, and shook Gary and my brother's hand. I wanted to hug them, but that wouldn't have been a manly gesture if you know what I mean.
I has been a good trip so far, we are just about half way, and the hardest part if behind us, at least that is what we were told. Tomorrow we're on the road again. We should make Colorado in about three days. Take care everybody, we miss you all. Aloha, Ted.

Day 46, Eureka to Newton, Kansas.

This is Tom, east bounder #6 we saw today. He is going from San Fransisco to Maine.

Cassoday has a large concentration of Mennonites. The migrated here to escape prosecution in Russia.

We stopped to get water and cool off at this Mennonite church.

The sign speaks for itself. How ever, we did not see any prairie chickens any where.

We did see cows though, and plenty of them. That bull thought I was after his women.

That's the post office in Rosaria that was so kind to me. I'll explain tin the post below.

Lisa, right after her break. We only took one kind of break if you know what I mean.

While I was on break, I took this shot. It was one of the few places that you could hide and not be seen by passing motorist.

We ran across this water fall on our way out of Eureka. It was early, so the lighting sucked.

The water wasn't at all that appealing either.

We saw these axis deer. Yep, Kansas has axis deer.

The one and only store in Rosaria was closed. They don't open till 11:00AM.

This bird wouldn't move till I took his picture. After that, he still wouldn't move.

In the heat of the afternoon. Even the harvesters stop for a break. But the left the machines running.
This old wagon and that water pump is probably older than all of you put together.

These three east bounders were moving too fast to stop for a chat.


These to guys were pulling trailers. "Right on dudes, trailers rule".

I've been staring at Lisa's butt for over a month now, I can't decide if it's getting smaller, or the seat is getting bigger.


Day 46, Eureka to Newton, Kansas. "The Dog Days Of Summer". 74.98 miles, (1907.7 miles total)

It's hard to believe that we've been on the road for 46 days already. When you are away from home that long, you tend to lose track of time. Lisa and I constantly ask each other what day it is. Most of the time we agree, but on a couple occasions, we had to enlist the help of a calendar. I've also noticed more gray hair. I don't know if I've had them before the trip, or if this trip is actually the cause. At least I manage to shave regularly to keep myself looking half way decent. I must smell bad when I walk into a store pouring with sweat. I can just imagine what everyone is thinking.................................. This morning, we were up at 5:00AM. We wanted to be on the road by six, but you know how that goes. It was a gallant try though, we only missed it by 15 minutes. It's the earliest start we've have since starting this trip. It was kind of neat, a lot cooler than usual, and we were able to cover a lot of miles early in the day. By noon, we had gone over 50 miles.

As we left town, we came across this bridge. The river had a water fall that we stopped at to take pictures. This was by far, the best scenic attraction of the town of Eureka. Too bad it was so early, the lighting wasn't quite what I would have liked.................................. We rolled along un molested by vehicle traffic. In the early morning hours, we were able to ride mostly on the road instead of hugging the imaginary shoulder, (There is none). We spotted our first two east bounders early. Two guys pulling trailers just like ours. They were coming at us down hill with tail wind, so stopping to chat was not an option. I thought the first guy kind of looked like my friend Mike Curiak, so I shouted out; "Aloha". I figured if it was him, he would have known it was me................................ At about mile 20, we reached the town of Rosalia, where we thought we would have breakfast, but the only store in town didn't open till 11:00AM. So we sat on the bench in front of the store and ate some snacks we had with us. At this point, I had to use the bathroom bad. You know, number 2. I went to the Post Office next door hoping they were open, and asked the Post Mistress, she gladly obliged. People around here are so nice, and they are always intrigued by what we are doing.

As we rolled out of town, I noticed a large high fenced pen with what looked like Axis deer in it. I stopped, and took out my camera to zoom in. Sure enough, axis deer in Kansas. I felt right at home. They also had a few other game in there also. Other deer, some real dark ones, alpacas, and maybe even elk, I couldn't quite make them out, they were way on the other side in the trees. A short time later, we saw a group of three east bounders. They too were moving fast with the tail wind at there back. We waved at each other while I snapped a shot with my point and shoot. About a mile up the road, we met Tom. He had seen us coming from a distance, and stopped to chat with us. We were glad he stopped, we were interested about facilities ahead since we really didn't have a decent meal yet today. He told us that at Cassoday, which also happens to be the prairie chicken capital of the world had a store that would be open by the time we got there. That was another 17 miles down the road, but you take what you can get. Next time we'll eat first............................... After leaving Tom, we turned onto another Interstate. Surprisingly, not only did it have a nice shoulder, but the traffic was light as well. Not too far down the road, something caught our eye. Coming from the right, a fast moving object darted across the road no more than 50 or 60 yards in front of us, barely being missed by a big semi truck. It was a coyote, so I thought. Lisa then corrected me as to a fox. What ever it was, it was fast, and it was lucky to be alive. Sorry, no picture. As fast as I am myself, I wasn't able to get a shot...................... Tom was right. We found the food place. Sorry, again no picture, I forgot. We got there just in time for the buffet lunch. All you can eat ribs, baked potato's, tossed salad, baked beans, peppers, etc., etc., etc. Oh yeah, and desert. All for $7.95. The food was a welcomed experience. I ate enough for myself and Lisa, but she had her own anyway.

We left Cassoday well filled, and ready to continue. The problem was, it was hot by now. I'm not complaining, because it's not going to do any good. I just wished you guys could be here for about an hour just so you can understand what it's like. Anything over a hundred is bad. Especially in the sun in a place where shade is far and few in between. You could die out there, and the only people would find you would be an east bounder. Just hope he's not going to fast with the tail wind. He might not stop.

After a couple of hours of riding in the above conditions, I noticed way up ahead what looked like a couple of bicycle tourist. I pointed them out to Lisa, and got out my camera so I could take a shot in case they didn't stop. Good thing I did, cause they didn't. Altogether we saw 8 east bounders today. The most we've seen to date. At the start of the ride this morning, I asked Lisa how many she thought we would see. Two days ago we saw two, and the day before that, three. Lisa said she thought we would see two today. By the way, half of the riders we saw today were pulling trailers.

The rest of the ride was uneventfully. Unless you count the heat as an event, then it was exciting. But other than that, it went on without a hitch. I must admit though, that toward the end of our ride. I noticed a lot of big semi trailers hauling grass with out the gr. They were moving. I'm glad they could see us from afar, and gave us a wide birth. The wind those things create when they pass you at about 80, is like someone trying to push you off your bike from the side. It's mean.

Tonight we are at the American Value Inn. Tomorrow is a rest day. My mom and brother folks are driving down from Topeka to see us, Yippee............................

Aloha everyone, thanks for tuning in. Ted.

Day 45, Eureka, Rest Day.

Down town Eureka. Nothing opens before 10:00AM. Except the restaurants of course.

We didn't know if this was some body's house, or a store. We concluded it was a store cause it had an open sign in the window.

The super market we shopped for lunch at.

I took a few interesting shots inside the museum. This one was of ranch brands in the area. There were a lot of them.

Meet Oscar. One of two Texas long horns brought to the area to start the first herd.

More of the areas brands. I told you there was a lot of them.

This is an old x-ray machine. Looks spooky. I'm glad I wasn't a patient back then.

This is Japanese money from the war section of the museum.

Hand made saddle and other memorables.

This is one of two cells that was brought here for display from an old jail not far from here.

I thought this was interesting. It's a hog oiler. They fill the drum with oil, and the hogs would rub themselves against it, getting the oil on their bodies to repel the ticks and mites.

This old scale was donated by the Seventh-day Adventist church and school.

This dress was worn at Abe Lincoln's inaugural ball.

Eureka City Hall. The police station is right across the street.

The Eureka Museum of History.

Most towns we passed through, had one of these. A veteran's memorial.

A very old organ from one of the early churches in the area.

See that sign? It says No Truck Parking. So what do you see parked there?

Main street.

Give me my money!!!

The churches here are well built. If this was on Molokai, it would have cost millions.

Eureka Downs, a horse race track located just back of our motel.


Day 45, Eureka, Kansas. Rest Day “The Heat Is On!” 5.29 miles.

We had a chance to check out the town of Eureka today. After a late start, we went across the street to the bowling alley for breakfast. The breakfast special was hash browns, two eggs, and choice of meat with coffee for $3.99. I ordered a pan cake also. The bowling alley was still under repair, so that went our chance at that……………………. We went back to the motel before heading out to see the town. It is about a mile to the heart of town, where we rode our bikes to see what Eureka had to offer. It’s a small town with only one street light. And most of the businesses are located on Main Street. About a quarter mile stretch of shops and small businesses. Most of them closed of course, so we had to kill some time. We went to the historical museum first, but they wouldn’t open till 10 o’clock. As with the library, and everything else. We found a super market that was open, so we ducted inside to escape the heat. I bought a couple of bananas, and a large bottle of V-8. I just love the stuff. By that time the museum was open, so we headed there……………………. Inside the museum we found a wealth of history pertaining to this area, and spent more than an hour just looking around at all the displays. We then headed over to the library. It is a brand new building. Really nice. The nicest public library I’ve been to yet. We spent about an hour and a half there relaxing in air conditioned comfort while catching up on some reading. It was such a comfortable place that I could have fallen asleep with no problem…………………. On our way back to the motel, we stopped by the store to pick up some stuff for lunch, figuring to save some money. Not a good idea. The few items we did by, cost us as much as it would if we had just gone to a restaurant and ordered something.

Right behind our motel, is Eureka Downs. A race track for horses. A pretty big one too. We found out that they have weekend races that used to attract people from all over, but a few years ago, the gaming commission regulated the number of races to control gambling. They are now allowed only ten races a year.

We saw a couple more RAAM racers today, along with some east bound Trans America tourist. One guy was passed out in the shade not far from here. Probably waiting for the heat of the day to pass before going on. Everywhere we went, people were telling us to be careful, and drink plenty of water. Everyone is concerned about the heat. Tomorrow, Lisa and I have a 70 mile day planned. So we are hoping to be on the road by about 6:00AM, so we can get most of our ridding done before it gets too hot. So it looks like a short night. Wish us luck. The forecast calls for more heat for the rest of the week. Can’t wait till we get to Colorado where we will be at higher altitude. Ten degrees cooler at least. Bye for now, Aloha, Ted.