Missouri is the Oven, I'm the Dough (Days 38-40)

Okay. You know when you open an oven after baking something at high temperature, and the heat just blasts you in the face? Well, now get in the oven and ride up and down some jagged hills for 70 miles on a loaded touring bike. That's what Missouri is like. Heat index has been between 100°F and 110°F.
I was also hoping the hills illustrated on the map were exaggerated, but most of them are actually as steep as they might appear (the steepest of the trip so far, but all usually very short climbs). It really does feel like a roller coaster. Crank up to the top and fly down the hill as fast and as far as you can, then do it all over again.

>2570 miles, still ridin' tough.

Day 38:
Finally hit Missouri, and already the hills have started taking form. Goodbye Kansas, you'll be missed. Stopped for lunch in Girard, Kansas, just near the border, and for seemingly no reason, a woman bought my lunch and left without saying anything. I wish I could have at least thanked her. Also met a cyclist from Ireland just before Girard. After 75 miles camped in a park in Golden City, Missouri. Several people, including the sheriff, actually warned me of tornadoes, lightning, and bad weather. They gave me instructions of where to go if the tornado alarm goes off, and then with their suggestions I moved my tent under the awning in the park. The lightning and thunder were pretty intense, but there was no wind, and only light rain. Another night survived.
Day 39:
Woke up and grabbed a shower in the park (Kansas and Missouri have been just awesome for camping), got breakfast, and hit the road. On my way to Fair Grove , Missouri met a cyclist from England. In Fair Grove, I stopped at the gas station and the lady called someone to open the pavilion in the park so I could use their showers and restroom for the night. Two showers in one day? Wowzers, luxury (with the humidity though it's almost necessary, the sweat does not ever evaporate). (69 miles)
The dogs have started to chase now, although mostly friendly. The funniest one was a Welsh Corgi chasing me through some tall grass. His little legs couldn't quite carry him through the grass so he just kind of skidded out and fell over, still barking and eying me with fury. Hopefully Michael and Adrienne can appreciate that one.
Some of these places are just what you'd imagine you might see. Old timers sitting around drinking coffee at diners, talking about farming or fishing. Shirtless men drinking beer, with a heavy slow southern type accent, wondering why the heck you want to ride a bicycle that far. Fat shirtless men in rocking chairs swatting flies on their porch. Horse drawn buggies cruising down the road, Amish families behind the reigns. I've seen them all, and far more. It's magical.
Day 40:
Met some cyclists on my way to Houston, Missouri riding on a supported tour for charity. Check out their website here. I ended up staying near them in a park in Houston. They were all very nice (also met their driver Brittany and dog Bandit), hopefully we'll meet up again. They are riding as a tribute to a friend that passed away, so they're doing it for a really great cause. On the way we also met up at Dog Bluff Park, a wonderful swimming area off the Big Piney River. Even got the chance to do some cliff jumping. Humidity and heat seem to grow more intense everyday, but I guess it's supposed to cool off soon. Thank my lucky stars. (82 miles)

The cliff we jumped off. I got some video of myself doing it, which hopefully I can compile into a nice movie at the end of the trip.

The three cyclists I met (Joe, Colin, Alex).

Demetrii cooling off near the river.

Missouri!