June 29,
2001. Harvey County East Park to Sterling, Kansas. (71 mi.) Mile 1909
Random
acts of friendliness
I'm
back on a picnic table, this time in the Sterling City Campground near the
city pool, which is free to cyclists. Mike has ridden into town to the Laundromat. We had great riding conditions today: temperatures in the 70s,
overcast skies, gentle
hills, and a light tailwind. We have been wondering if we could increase our
mileage, but doing so would put us completely out of step
with the far-spaced accommodations. On a day like today though, we could have
put in more miles but we wouldn't be spending time relaxing and enjoying this
park.
Our camp at
Harvey County East Park
We have been
experiencing the friendly reputation of Kansans. Several times we have stopped
briefly by the side of the road, and had people pull over to ask if we needed
any assistance, water, or directions. Most of the locals know where both the
eastbound and westbound TransAm bicyclists are going next and are eager to
give directions, and everyone waves.
We talked to a woman
today who relocated to Sterling from southern California. She detailed the
culture shock and benefits of moving to this small Kansas town (inexpensive
real estate, low crime rate, community spirit). While we were talking, several
cars drove past with drivers waving. "Do you know them?" we asked. "Never
seen them before in my life", she said, "but you must wave,... wave,...
don't forget to wave." She told us that she had been in a
restaurant in town where a bunch of the
local farmers were hanging out as usual, when another
farmer came in wearing a wrist brace for carpal tunnel syndrome. Finally
someone had to comment. "Pete, what happened to your arm?" Pete
paused for a moment, and said, "Doc says I've been wavin' too much."
Sweaty, and waving,... always waving,... in Sterling.
For the last few
weeks, we have noticed every small town has been gearing up for the Fourth of
July. Sterling makes it into a five day celebration, including a bluegrass
festival, a rodeo, and the popular Running of the Turtles. We were
invited to stay for it, and though it would be fun to stick around for the
celebrations, we have to move on down
the road.
Today we rode
out of the Flint Hills and back through agricultural land, including fields
of corn, sunflowers, soy beans, and wheat.
