We spent a leisurely morning in our room catching up on emails, writing blog entries, reorganizing our luggage and getting some supplies. Kansas weather continued to provide some challenges. Rain and high winds (40 mph gusts) in the forecast, so Bill figured out a way to secure (we hope 🤞) a cover for our bikes.
On the way to Manhattan, we decided to drive through Salina, KS, our friend Phil’s hometown. Phil’s descriptions of Salina over the years were accurate — a wheat growing area with grain milling as the chief industry. It is also home to Kansas Wesleyan University and Kansas State University’s College of Technology and Aviation.
As we left Salina toward Manhattan, our home base for the next three days, the already strong winds became stronger!! It quickly became clear that the bicycle cover was NOT going to withstand the strong gusts. We had a difficult time standing up when we stopped to remove the cover! A Kansas State Highway Patrol officer saw us struggling with our bike cover, so he stopped to see if he could help. We decided to just take the cover off because it was very clear the wind was not going to slow the rest of the day. We removed the cover and got back in the car (Sue had trouble opening the car door and was very happy to have her leg inside the car when a gust of wind SLAMMED the door shut) to continue our journey. When Bill got behind the wheel and started the car, he forgot to select the Conserve mode, which produces a smooth and slower start, so when he stepped on the gas we peeled out and threw gravel from the side of the road back toward the State Trooper’s car. We were very lucky we didn’t get pulled over after that particular merge into interstate traffic!!!
Manhattan, nicknamed “The Little Apple,” is in the heart of the scenic Flint Hills. It is the home of Kansas State University and has a distinct college town atmosphere.
After checking in to the hotel, we had a wonderful visit and dinner with Brock, Jacee, Cassidy and Colton Corby.
Tomorrow, we plan to ride the Blue River Rail Trail from Marysville to the Nebraska state line. We’ve got our fingers crossed that the forecasted thunderstorms and high winds hold off until the afternoon!
50-in-50 Challenge 