Zac continues to bike with Jessie from New York and Charlie from Pittsburgh and making good time. They met two Dutch riders in recumbent bicycles who are crossing America as well,but at a different pace. They were much older...40ish! Zac and the other two men tried to get a motel room at the only one in the rural area but the woman would not let them rent the one room. She allowed them to camp under the tin roof to stay dry. Only one of the three is not sporting facial hair but Zac did not think that this made any significant difference... There were thoughts of prank calling this woman all the way to the west coast but their good raisin' by their mamas came through. The people in Missouri, except for Ruth, have not impressed Zac with their overall friendliness and helpfulness.. Our new friend Ruth was the only one that excelled in points.
Zac's mid morning meal was at Lamar, MO, the birthplace of our 33rd President of the United States, Harry Truman. The birthplace is now a historic State Park. He is known for many things, the most common was ending the war with the release of the atomic bomb. He returned to Independence, MO to retire.
Zac crossed over... into the state of Kansas. mid day, and they were to stay tonight at Chanute, KS, population 9500. Chanute is named after Octave Chanute, a French born railroad engineer and aviation pioneer.
Chanute was responsible for designing and constructing the country's two biggest stockyards, Chicago(1865) and Kansas City(1871). He designed the first bridge to cross the Missouri River. He also invented the system for pressure treating railroad ties and telephone poles with creosote to preserve them. He also designed the system of dating railroad nails for the railroad companies to develop maintenance patterns.
When he retired from engineering, he became interested in and organized data in aviation. He took the early design of hang gliders and worked with others to test them since he was too old to attempt to fly them himself. He provided the Wright Brothers with help and advice, and helped publicise their flying experiments...
Zac is enjoying the travelling companions for this short time. He is concerned about Dr. Durrett and his recent health problems and has been calling frequently to check on our dear friend.
So we leave Zac in Kansas....Zac is passing on a hello to the kids of Sunset Park!
*posted by Zac's mom and so glad he has his new phone*
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