Stage 12 Report: Yellow Blaze Road

Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Start: Coffeyville, KS
Finish: Flying W Ranch, Cedar Point, KS
Total Bike Mileage: 103.7
Cumulative Bike Mileage: 1106.6 miles

We awoke to a beautiful day in Kansas after a comfortable sleep and breakfast at the Best Western.

Cycled from hotel departing westward along Rt166, turned R on 3900N to cycle through country roads, then L on 2800 Rd across Onion Creek, the road turned to gravel which was tolerable winding through quiet morning wheat fields, then L on 3000 Rd where we stopped and met Api at the Little House on the Prairie Museum. At this small homesteading site the author of the much-loved children's books, Laura Ingalls Wilder, once lived during her childhood, the inspiration for some of her many stories based on her prairie nomadic childhood as her family relocated periodically for her father's carpentry skills. On site was a replica of her wood cabin; also brought to this site from elsewhere was a one-classroom school and post office. Pretty setting on a beautiful day. I liked the author's quotes sprinkled on the paths. Around my neck I wear a small stone etched with the word "Laugh."

It reminds me to enjoy life and be happy and laugh out of pure joy for the beautiful days and challenges we face along this journey.

We shuttled a mile along gravel roads and then put in along Rt160 at the Elk City Reservoir/Wildlife Refuge for what was to become a 75mi stretch of undulating and winding road through absolutely majestic countryside, corn, wheat, and soy. Clear skies with only cloud wisps. Calving season everywhere as young cattle and foals stood guarded by observant mothers. Wheat harvesting combines at work in the fields.

Even a minor rear flat tire on my bike when approaching Longton did not curtail our enthusiasm. At that stop Mike kindly changed the tire (cut) and tube as I supervised for quality control and chatted with a local farmer, while drinking an ice cold Coca Cola, about the growing cycles and how combines cut wheat. Amiable shy fellow.

Mike finished up the tire, looked good from my check, and so we continued westward along Rt160. Soon enough amidst vast stretches of open land on either side and hilly terrain we came upon them in a preserve near Moline.

Their manes and coats glistening in the afternoon sun, no saddle, no shoes - Wild Horses, Mustangs in our midst. The leader summoned the others and at least a hundred of these magnificent runners galloped beside us along the grasses and jumping the streams for the next mile, the sound of the herd in our ears. We pushed faster and the mustangs responded to our acceleration. Horse and cyclist, horsepower and peddle power, interlinked in our journey westward. An unforgettable moment of pure exhilaration.

Our energy restored by the kinship of animal and man, we rode onward through Grenola and towards Burden. Api met us and, due to time and distance, we briefly shuttled a few miles and then put in again at 211th Rd. A long slightly uphill burner for 20+ miles m.

But first, a little treat! A few miles north we were given a special reminder in this Kansas land, as the saying goes from the Wizard of Oz we all know so well - "there's no place like home..." - we entered ATLANTA, KS; 30 sec later we made it through downtown "traffic" (two guys on bikes) and were on the rural path again.

Then, our first sighting of a wonderfully alive beautiful armadillo prancing along the road! We've passed thousands of these beautiful animals in all their various carcass displays, warm and fresh to almost unrecognizable bones and tails, and here in the flesh was this magnificent creature loping, gently pacing along as the evening gathered. A beautiful site to energize my spirits!

Racing onwards to Leon, we then turned left onto Rt400 (strange, first Atlanta ad then 400). Did the Wizard really return me home? I blinked. More unrecognizable road ahead. Must have been daydreaming. Turned right onto South Bluestem Rd.

We pumped the crank and accelerated towards the finish until there was no more Bluestem to travel. The road ended at what looked like a refreshing lake at the El Dorado State Park. Yet again, over 100 miles ridden in a day, we saddled into the van and ride a mile into town for a well earned dinner at Two Brothers BBQ in El Dorado (Erica, our waitress, is in photo, very sweet!; hasn't traveled much. Erica-there's a lot of world waiting for you someday... be adventurous!)

Our day was not yet done. Finished dinner about 9:30 pm and then drove in darkness to the Flying W Ranch in Cedar Point, KS.

Our cabin porch light lit for us, exhausted, we settled into a very comfortable cabin and hit the hay. The earthshaking streaking vision of wild horses entering my dreams.

Bikeoo

Home on Prairie's Path

Wheat undulates in Sun's Rays

Wild Horses Rumble

Indexes:

Weather: (10)
Absolutely beautiful sunny day, not too hot or humid

Terrain: (9.5)
Rolling hills most of the day, grinders uphill towards end

Scenic: (10)
One of the most beautiful days cycling in my life!

Wildlife and Roadkill:
W-Wild Horses!!!, armadillo (first live sighting!), skunk, deer, large jumping green pond frog, turtles, hawks, songbirds, cranes
R-beautiful turkey, armadillo, raccoon, turtle, skunk, songbirds

Medical Report:
M-butt
D-finger blisters, butt, R anterior rib muscle strain

Bike Report:
D-Flat/torn rear tire, supervised change-out
M-none! Amazing!

Still Having Fun: (11)
Unforgettable day in Kansas!!!!! This is no flyover State!