Time: 2 hr 35 min Max Speed: 22.5 mph Ave. Speed: 11.6 mph
The stormy weather wasn't finished with us. About midnight a fierce windstorm came through and I had to keep my hands pushed against the sides of the tent to keep it upright. My little radio told me another front was headed our way again, so I tried to huddle down to get a few more hours of sleep. About 2 AM more wind arrived with some thunder this time. I saw Dave and Deb start running for a nearby machine shed, so I got out and joined them, noticing about half dozen collapsed tents along the way. We watched the trees bending in the wind for about a half hour, and then I decided I had to get back to my stuff. The wind had slowed a little and I think I must have fallen asleep for a short while, then was woken up again this time to rain. It was about the time we normally tear down to pack our luggage. But since it was the last morning, nobody seemed to care that our stuff would be packed wet.
After a breakfast at the legion hall again, we decided to hit the road. I was so tired and not really feeling up to riding again. I think I only slept a few hours total. Once we made the turn to head west, we were facing a strong headwind. There were so many frogs and salamanders all over the highway also. I was so glad I had made arrangements the night before to meet Randy at the second rest stop because I knew I was too tired to fight the wind all morning. I didn't even get my camera out once.
Randy pulled up to the rest stop on the edge of Max and of course didn't recognize me with my short hair. But it was nice to see him again and catch up. He drove around all his property and the fields were all ready to harvest and looking wonderful. He has a really nice farm and large nice home. But I think he was feeling a little lonely - all his kids had just left for college. He is so proud of them, and has a right to be. They sound like a great bunch. About noon he took me back to Ft. Stevenson to pick up my truck, then we ate lunch at the park with the other bikers and listened to the band. I think I missed Deb, Dave, Archie & Sheila so I didn't get my finish line picture.
But as usual, it was a great tour. I found my neighbor Greg who was ready to head home. He and I both had a difficult time staying awake, so we stopped to get some liquid caffeine in Washburn. I enjoyed listening to his biking stories - he has riden in every Candisc they have had - he says "EFY & EFM - every fricking year and every fricking mile" - he has never taken the sag wagon. We agreed to try and get out and go for a ride sometime before winter sets in.
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