Day 24 - Wednesday, July 21st
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Day 24 - Wednesday, July 21st |
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Miller, SD to DeSmet, SD - 77 miles
| We finally had the easy day for which we had been hoping. We slept in
the high school last night in the air-conditioned comfort of the band room.
The thunderstorms outside did wake up a few, but when we woke up this morning,
the wind had changed. The humidity was up, and the temperature still got
well into the 90’s, but a little wind goes a long way. We rode from Miller to the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, DeSmet. On the way, we stopped at Huron to celebrate the halfway point in our Big Ride. Today was a social day as various groups linked up and rode together. We got in early and spent the extra time exploring the town or at least the restaurants for lunch. The Ingalls home is here and is well preserved as a museum. This weekend is their time for an annual festival honoring Laura and her books. The countryside changed again today, however subtly. More corn, less cattle, and a more farm like look. It was very pretty all day long. We were riding very fast with a light tailwind and with no climbing. Overall, a great day. Now, many of the riders have visited the library, where I’m composing this. I had an email from a Big Ride fan in Dakota MN, who wants to interview us when we ride through. In addition, I heard from a former Big Rider who rode with a group of 700 riders. He was envious of our small group with its ability to blend together as a unit. I quite agree with that sentiment. Each day one of our pleasures is the enjoyment of these wonderful new friends with whom we are riding. Our journey together is producing lifelong friends. In some way, I’m sure we’ll be doing the Big Ride together for a long time. |
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| We're back to "Team It's All About Me" jerseys today. I can't understand why people don't understand the jersey, but then I really don't care, because it's all about me anyway! | Jennifer is our true hero on this ride. She suffers from a lung disease which leaves her with only about 60% of her lung capacity. She has medicine delivered to each rest day with an IV setup and gets an infusion of the proteins that she needs to continue the ride. Jennifer, my helmet is off to you. Thanks for joining us on the Big Ride. |
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| Here we are celebrating having ridden half way across the United States. We had a nice little party with ice cream and a good break in the town of Huron. Huron is the site of the South Dakota State Fair. | At last nights meeting, these intrepid young people hang on Jeff's every word. Later, I found out that two of them were actually asleep, and had to ask me what the meeting was all about. |
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| Aahh, that Prairie Aire. Who could live live without it? | And speaking of prairie air, these hay rolls certainly do have their very own odor. Not unpleasant, unless they are rotting away. I just liked the looks of this one. |
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| Here, Scott and da boys are discussing grain futures. Shortly after this, a different resident asked us if we were from the Tour de France. We pointed out that the race is taking place in France. He said he had wondered about that. | The Ingalls home and museum is close to the main street of DeSmet. Very interesting place for a visit if you are a fan. |
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The email I'll use this summer is brucesherman@mac.com. Send mail to this address to say hello and I'll be able to read it on the ride.