Oops! My Pocketmail with this entry didn't get through. It's a little out of order, but it's an important entry.
6-8-06
Start: Outside Chase, KS
Destination: Great Bend, KS
Miles: 17.8
Weather: Hot, 90s
We got a late start this morning because we had to sort through everything in Dick's truck so we were sure we weren't forgetting anything, and we had to try to fit it all in our backpacks. Then we all went to the restaurant next door and had a nice hearty breakfast together. By the time we got out on the road, it was almost noon. I think we were all avoiding the good-bye. Over the last month, we've really had some great times with Dick, and we're really going to miss him. Saying our final farewell was tough, and mom and I stayed strong until he pulled away. As he passed, he looked out the window at us, waved and beeped like he always did - only this time we knew we weren't going to see him up the road waiting for us. One final thing he did do was get us ice cream bars in Ellinwood and bring them back to us. So we sat and enjoyed those one more time. Then as he left, he waved and beeped again. I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, he was messing with us and would be parked at the DQ or Sonic somewhere down the road. He did call and check on us a few times on his way home.
One cool thing that happened as we were saying good bye to Dick was meeting a biker coming through Kansas. We were parked where we left off yesterday, and we flagged him to stop to see if he wanted water. He is travelling coast to coast, also, is from France, and this is his first time in America. So we chatted with him a while and took some pictures, and then he was off.
It got hot again today. Mom overheated a little bit, even, so we stopped and rested in the shade. Tomorrow's high is forecasted at 103 degrees, so we're really getting into some scorchers. It's been a while since we've carried full weight on our backs, too, so that is making things a little hard on us, as well. But... we just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Before we know it, we'll be in Colorado.
Well, Dick, thank you for volunteering and coming down with the CRR1 to support us on our hike. We will miss you, and every time we look at our boots or see a bungee cord on the road, a nut or bolt, we'll think of you. :) Also, thank you to JoAnn and all of Dick's family for giving him up for a month - we really appreciate it!
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