Running Against the wind...

Day 1, departed 9:45a at 12060 miles on the odometer. Arrived in Valentine, NE at 7:00p  with 12486  on the odometer.

Today we spent the day getting miles away from home. Kansas and Nebraska lived up to their windy reputation. Riding west was brutally windy. Passing the numerous cattle transport trucks nearly blew us over. Luckily we have a bog bike! Not much sightseeing. Most of the Kansas area we rode through is the area where I work. There is not much to see in Nebraska where we rode. It was 89% boring. From my time in Nebraska,  I can report the corn looks healthy and cows are crazy. That is all.

On one of our rest stops we happened upon a lovely little garden on the side of US-281, in Bartlett, Nebraska. It was a welcome relief. Nice and shady with pump water fountain. There were pretty rosebushes surrounding the park. Someone took great care of the area. One of the highlights of the day.

As we arrived in Valentine dinner was necessary before going to the campground. We stopped at what looked like a great place to get a quick meal, Jordan's Sports Bar and Grill. The parking lot was half full, which is generally a good sign. When we walked in there was NO ONE else in the restaurant! So we walked two doors down to the Peppermill Steakhouse (their parking lot overflowed into Jordan's - oops) and had a great steak. It was advertised as locally raised beef. I'm certain it was one of the crazy cows from earlier in the day.

Feeling full and ready for a shower we headed off to the campground. Almost as quickly as we pulled into the Riverside Campground's gravel road and mini go-kart track, Ryan suggested we find a hotel for the night. Score! Like I'm going to turn down a bed and indoor plumbing for a shelter half and sleeping on the ground! So here I sit in a very basic but spotlessly clean room in the Trade Winds Motel.

Tomorrow is an early start. We are running the cowboy trail, heading to the Badlands and Sturgis!