After traversing 8 states, over 60 counties, more than 100 cities and towns and consuming hundreds of bananas and cans of beans, 55 loaves of bread, 40 jars of peanut butter, 5 tubes of sunscreen, and 4 tins of coffee, we’ve made it to Portland safely and soundly. We arrived via the Columbia River Gorge along the Washington border. The Gorge, with its 30 mile per hour winds blowing east and common to both day and night, provided us with the relief that our last leg in the trip would not be met lightly. However, these winds accompanied a stunning view of a landscape catastrophically carved by water and time. From desert to rainforest, the gorge presents a timestamp of the powerful forces of nature. The train tracks, highways, and dams strapping the river appear misplaced and temporary. We rode along wildfires, through mountains shrouded in mist, and along towering bluffs, each reminding us of our vulnerability, the incredible distance we have traveled, and impermanence of our own lives.
Anyway, we’d like to thank the many who helped us along on our trip, providing us with rest, shelter, food conversation, and inspiration. So thank you Mr. John White; Elie and Leslie; The Buches; Jim and Sue; the Zion Lutheran Church; Jim Moore; Michelle and her three lovely boys; Theresa, Ted, Fiona, Tristen, and Ian; Lord Byron; Gesi Schilling; The Lab; Dr. Mulkey and Michelle and Andrew too; Linda; and especially Dougie Fresh.
Since we’ve left Pittsburg and the Buches our days have been glory-filled. Kansas is mostly flat and its skies stretch for miles. We have an incredible calm and satisfaction riding through tranquil green pastures and endless blue sky, watching storms in the distance. The cows flock together a few hours before a storm blows in. Large, insect shaped clouds hang in the air as if suspended from the sun. Its rays peaking through into long threads over lush fields. Much of southeastern Kansas is convered in alluvial loam, which makes the land fertile for pasture and crops like corn. Each day is vivid and full, and we sleep well each night. We’ve meandered a bit through Kansas, averaging about 60 miles a day. The steepest climbs we made were in the Flint Hills, which are covered in deep shades of green pasture. We’ve slept mostly in small town parks and enjoyed local produce and fresh breads. While in the City of Newton, we were unexpectedly invited into the home of Jim and Susan. Their living room provided shelter from a late-night storm. In the morning, they served us a hearty breakfast of steel-cut oats, ruby-red grapefruit, sour green apples and delicious coffee.
We arrived in Hutchinson on the Fourth not sure of a place to sleep. We ran into Jessie, a Mexicano gentleman, who shared a plot of land behind his house for us to pitch our tent. The last two days we’ve spent in the basement of the of Zion Lutheran Church (a branch of ELCA). The church provides a free, cyclist-only hostel with beds, showers, a kitchen, and coffee. For us it’s been a good place to relax and celebrate. The basement stage has been converted into sleeping quarters with air mattresses and curtains and feels a bit like we’re cast members of a sitcom.
We woke up today with blueberry and walnut-chocolate chip pancakes in honor of my ascent into 23 years of life. A kind gentleman by the name of Charles Keever tipped us 20 bucks for the trip.
Tomorrow begins our final days in Kansas. We’ll be riding through wide stretches of barren-land, including an area called Rattle-Snake Alley. In two days time we should arrive in Colorado, where we’ll begin to ascend the Rockies.
Hello, we are David Kofahl and Diego Rojas and this is a blog about our adventures traveling across the United States via bicycle. We will be riding through some of the most dramatic landscape this country has to offer, pitching camp where we can and eating lots of oatmeal. Our three month trip will take us from Missouri to Oregon. Follow along as we follow the footsteps of our pioneers and search for the Great American West.
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