Jeremiah Watt

I had no real plans on any certain townas a destination for the day, and I knew that my final stop of Lamar was some 120 plus miles away so any place halfway of better would siffice for a ride. I awoke very early about 5:15am and there was fog to my amazement. So I packed up my gear as is usual and headed out on the bike with my tiny little tail-lights flashing there red warning " SOME IDIOT BIKER HERE". When you leave the KOA, you are on gravel for 1/4 mile or so and the exit is right beside a Flying J Truck stop, and as I road I realized just how stupid it must look to be riding a bike in that heavy fog.



Sounds like coffee time to me, does it to you. I drank more joe that morming than I have since I left California. It was past 8am when I finaly felt it may be okay to go out and get on the road. And believe me it was just barely okay because the fog got heavy again about a mile from the truck stop. I road on for about 15 miles in that fog and it finally began to lift about the town of Hugo. The fog was replaced quite promptly by wind.............oh joy, oh joy.

The wind was right in the face, or off to my right cheek for the rest of the day, that is the way it stayed. The country had flattened out quite a lot by now, and it was not entirely sceneic from a photographic standpoint. Even though the fog had lifted, the sky was a heavy leaden overcast grey, making the countryside flat a featureless. I road to Kit Carson which would put me at the halfway point to Lamar, but it was only 12:45 so I bought a Gatorade and headed to the park which is beside the Kit Carson Museum,


to have Louisiana Kippers and bagels, along with a few figs to top it all of. While at the the park I met a fella with some serious medical problems . He had served in Vietnam, and had had has lungs burned by Napom. He was a talker and I didnt have to say much matter of fact I said very little. Now you would think that a fella having served in Vietnam and being injured as he was may ha\ve an axe to grind with the Government, but not the case. He was very proud of the branches of the service and how they trweat the men and woemn. but what he detested are the Polaticians that stir the military pot so to speak. It was interesting for me, to hear it from his perspective since I have no military expierience at all.

"I seen this and just could'nt help but sing that ol song.......Its a long road to Temporary, its a long way to go!!!"

Its about 2 ands I am thinking I may as well hit the road for a few more miles, not even caring if I make it to another town or not since I had some groceries on board and can make camp any place that I like. It didn't take that much effort to get to Eads. And while riding into town I see alot of commotion going on at the local Fair-Grounds and decide to check it out. As itturns out Eads is in Kiowa County and it Fair time.


The local ranchers were getting ready to have a team sorting and I sat around to watch what was going on. I sat until about 7:15 but it was taking forever to get the cattle neck numbered and the hoped to get started by about 8 or a little after. So, I had to bow out and find some place to camp for the night.

I find a nice place in the rail Road campground and I am setting up my camp when I spot the colors of another bike rider going by on Main Street. BUt wait there is more, he is a loaded touring biker. All the while I am wondering if by chance we will get to meet, or he is riding off down the road to who knows where?

I am just crawling out of my little nylon culvert when up rides the biker I had spotted. His name is Kevin, and he is 27 and from New York. BIkers don't take long to get the formalities out of the way, I guess we are starved for adult conversation by that point. Kevin is also riding across America, but on a little different route than I. Now, maybe its the age, or just the toughness........but this Kevin is doing 125-130 mile days. Yes, I am floored. I thought that some of my dasy were good ones, but 125 plus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had a great visit, and Kevin is a real nice guy. Maybe a little lost at the moment. He had a great job working in the Mayoral Office of New York, but hated the job he had. He has a degree in Labour Relations but hates where it is leading him, and the sort of 9-5 office and commute lifestyle it brings. I didn't say anything, but I as thinking about how much I love what I do and how much I love living out in the country to do it...........how locky and Blessed am I.

SO, its time to finally turn in and get ready for morning and more miles.
Good Night and God Bless