The Second Half (Days 35-37)

>2360 miles. Everyday I have been meeting more and more cyclists. I'll be leaving Kansas today and entering Missouri. Everyone has been warning me about the dogs in Kentucky though. I guess they become more and more abundant and angrier from here until I reach East Kentucky, where they chase you down in packs. I have seen and been chased by a few friendly strays already, but nothing major. I just purchased my train ticket home (which cut the cost of the ticket in half), and plan to depart from Washington D.C. on Wednesday, August 18th, and arrive in Reno after a transfer in Chicago on Saturday, August 21st. This adds an extra 200 miles of cycling to my trip, but I couldn't bring my bike on board unless I left from D.C. I have about 1770 miles left, with the extra milage to D.C. and 37 days to do it. Giving myself 4 more rest days, I'll be there on time as long as I average about 54 miles a day. If I get there early I plan to either CouchSurf, or stay with people from the video gaming community.

Day 35:
Rest day. Rode 12 miles to run some errands. Had my bike tuned and cleaned, printed some photos, and watched a movie. After Jerry got home from work, we went to Zen Vegetarian Cuisine, and gorged ourselves on some amazingly delicious vegetarian food (boba, dumplings, fried spring rolls, egg fu yung, and shitake mushrooms and tofu). Slept well again, and readied myself for some more riding. Thanks again for everything Jerry, I had such a relaxing time there just hanging out, eating well, and even meeting your wonderful family. =D
Day 36:
Jerry dropped me off back in Newton and I got on the road again around 1PM. I couldn't decide if I wanted to stop in the first town, or continue to the second town, but I felt good so I went for the second one, Eureka, Kansas, 76 miles out. On my way, I finally caught a cyclist in Cassoday I have been hearing stories about since the Sierra's, John (everywhere I went, it was: "Have you met john?" or "John stayed here last night..."). Also on my way, I got attacked by a pair of birds for about a mile. They were literally pecking my helmet and shoulders as I tried to swat them away and steer the bike, was hilarious. There were two other cyclists in the park where I camped that night, both going West, who shared some cookies with me.
Day 37:
This was probably the hottest day since riding in Utah, but I woke up early and rode slow and steady for 91 miles. Camped in the park in Walnut, Kansas. Two people warned me about a major storm, which I was actually hoping for that night since it was so hot, but it never came. I could see the lightning in the distance though, and I guess there were some tornado warnings in the area. Moved three turtles off the road, and though I'd like to think I saved them, they probably just went right back (the first live turtle of the trip was even rewarded with a cup of fruit). I named all three Donatello.

I am saving some of my best photos for a special post at the end of the trip, but I'll continue to post some of my others until then.