This blog starts at 0300 in the Walmart car park at Sedalia, Missouri. These supermarket based overnight stops have been pretty good for us on this tour.
I had my noise cancelling head phones on so didn’t hear the very loud machinery outside getting ever closer. Thankfully, Alan did and through the small window in his bunk he was able to talk to the approaching man before he knocked on the door.
It turned out that the man was part of a work crew who were repainting the lines in the car park. He simply asked us to move the RV to another part of the parking lot. Alan swiftly moved the RV and back to sleep I went. Thanks to the power of the earphones.
The 0530 alarm became the 0630 alarm again. That gave me just over 7 and a half hours of sleep. Luxury! I set off from Sedalia at 0731. The first two miles were through a quiet neighbourhood. The squirrels were out in force. Hardly a day has gone by without me seeing some on this tour.
My heart sank when I rejoined the wretched Katy Trail. I knew that I’d be on it for the next 18 miles. Sharp stones and all.
I met the RV at the Sedalia trailhead for a replenishment of water at 4 miles. That would be the last time I saw the RV for quite some time.
It wasn’t long before I left Sedalia behind.
On a scorching hot morning, I was pleased to have the shelter of the trees either side of the trail.
There were quite a few cyclists and runners enjoying the trail. Easily the most that I’d seen since I first joined the trail a week ago.
I made sure to say hello as I passed a tortoise. It wasn’t for any conversation sadly.
I made it to the RV at the Green Ridge trailhead after 13.5 miles. The painkillers had worn off quite some time ago. As a result I was in a lot of agony. A double blister on the inside of my left heel was the culprit. I soaked my feet in ice, changed my socks, ate some pasta and slept for 50 minutes.
The next 7 mile section on the trail didn’t have the luxury of surrounding trees. I was at the mercy of the sun that was beating down furiously. I decided to use my large backpack and take 5 bottles of water and Powerade.
I made it to the highest point of the Katy trail which was 17 miles in. After a couple of quick photos I was soon on my way again.
Just as I thought I’d seen the last of the cyclists, there were quite a few more approaching me.
One lady, who I assume was a local, stopped cycling to ask me where I was staying for the night. I told her about my journey and that I had an RV up ahead. She wished me good luck and went on her way.
By the time I met the RV at the 20.5 mile point I’d used nearly all of the water. To run with a heavy backpack but to stay hydrated had paid off.
I switched to my 1 litre hydration pack, said goodbye to the trail and headed off down a road full of stones.
I was soon on county line road E which, while not tarmac had flat sections here and there. Given the virtually non existent traffic I bobbed and weaved down the road taking full advantage.
It soon became obvious that I was travelling right through an Amish community. It was one of the quietest and most peaceful places I’ve seen so far on this tour.
The locals appeared very friendly and they all waved as I went past. That always gives me a boost.
A family drove past me on their horse and cart.
It was impressive to see a field being ploughed with manual machinery pulled by horses. It felt like I’d stepped back in time. The simpler and quieter way of life was abundantly evident on this prairie.
As the sun lowered in the sky, I felt the full heat of the day. I was determined to power on to the end of the road where it joins with the main tarmac road.
I reached the finish line having managed 25 miles. My feet were in a world of pain. I jumped in the RV, downed my Cherry Active drink and we drove to the overnight stop at a trailhead in nearby Leeton. It’s the 6 mile point of tomorrow’s route incidentally.
After a shower and a soak of my feet in ice water with Epsom salts I ate some chicken and an omelette. I was still hungry so it was rice pudding for afters.
I’m just finishing up this blog at 21:00. It’s absolutely boiling in the RV. There are mosquitoes outside. Even if I was mobile enough to sit out there then I’d be eaten alive. These are the kinds of problems we faced in Australia back in 2013.
The temperatures are forecast to increase over the coming days. There are now only 63 miles left to Kansas. Those are thoughts for tomorrow. My current thinking is who or what is going to disturb my sleep in the early hours of the morning. Hopefully, it’s not one of the few cars that have pulled into the trailhead just now. What can possibly go wrong!
TUNE OF THE DAY: Somewhere over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Continued thanks for donations and messages of support. They really do provide a boost throughout the day when the notifications nudge through. The fund for St Benedict's is now very close to £21,000.
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