Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Days 32 & 33 Blown around in Kansas

Zac just called in from Toronto, KS, population 312 persons... #311 and #312 were talking to him while he was trying to talk to me. I did hear that he camped out at a campsite last night and had to watch the most incredible night storms. The winds were about 50 mph and the storms were surrounding him 360 degrees. The lighting all around him was so frequent and so bright that it was as light as daylight at times. Those of you who know the family, know that we are alittle uneasy with lighting since 2002!! He had to take his tent down at one point in a hurry, and in repacking, his cooking fluid got all over his DromLight bag.... I have just found out that that is a 6-liter water bladder and kerosene does not wash out completely. I have found one to send to him at the next town, along with the needed Dr. Bonner's all purpose soap. I choose "Eucalyptus" which I am sure will thrill Zac! Won't he smell refreshed through Kansas!
Zac is apparently in the valley of the Verdigris River, about 50-60 miles out of Wichita Falls.

The local newspaper today says "Thursday could bring a tornado outbreak to the Great Plains, according to local meteorologists who are warning residents to pay attention to the weather.
Computer forecasting models for the day bear striking similarities to the conditions present on June 8, 1974, when 39 tornadoes touched down in the southern Plains and killed 22 people -- including six in Emporia." I have warned Zac and he is going to stay in the lower floor of some motel, hopefully.

The two young men that Zac was biking with had continued on while he had to stay back and do some business and phone calling. They are thinking that they will reconnect at some point on the trail ahead.

Zac is tired today and not doing the usual daily mileage. He is going to try to get to Eureka, the "Racing Capital of Kansas" They have a quarterhorse race track. The town, population 3,000, got its name when an early pioneer shouted "Eureka", after discovering a spring of water that is now known as the Fall River.. I could not make this up....

So we leave Zac peddling towards Eureka, in the Kansas wind.. I think he has tried to click his heels together many times but has not worked.. Perhaps if he had red biking shoes!

The students of Sunset Park...SPTAC.. have exceeded their goal of $1,000 yesterday. We need to find out what grade won the Nickel Day coin races and the Ice Cream Party. They are getting geared for the big day on Friday, June 6th...

*posted by Zac's mom who is learning more than she ever thought from this bike ride*

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wowsers. That's quite the accomplishment; which one? Inspiring elementary school kids, schooling ones mom by way of a cross country bike trip, and doing all the riding your doing each day! HAte that I missed you in Memphis, Senor, but my heart is with you!

Be well--ride hard, and drink (water) harder!

A Taco