Day 29

Wakened early ... getting used to the Union Pacific freight trains, but I lay on for a while. No need to rush ... I'm a few miles east of North Platte and don't want to get in too early ... Library won't be open until after 09:00 On the road by 07:30 ... it's already very warm with the promise of hitting 110F. I've got to be very careful today ... will load up with lots of water and take it easy ... there are big lonely stretches of road ahead of me and I would like to get near Ogallala later this evening. My mind is just a fuzzy mess at the moment ... I'm seeing too much and meeting too many people in such a short space of time that I'm getting memories all mixed up! It's strange ... and I'm still overwhelmed by actually being here ... It's one thing being in a geography class as a schoolboy talking about the Prairie ... but to be here on a bicycle! I feel emotional and started to cry ... don't be stupid Joseph ... catch yourself on! Soldier up man!! Boy it's hot ... I'll try and get to Sutherland and take a break there. I'm loaded up with water, Gatorade and a towel made up of J-cloth material that's saturated with water... and is wrapped around my neck and back. Pulled over under the shade of a tree and had a bit of a doze ... along comes Sgt at Arms, Marvin Donnelly a retired US Air Force Instructor and offers me a welcome cool drink. He's of North Antrim descent and has a desire to visit Ireland someday ... (Vivi, think we'll need plans for an extension?) Thanks for the cool drink Marvin ... it was appreciated. Got into Sutherland ... a quiet little spot... the lady in the PO bought me a cool slush and an ice coke during happy hour. Heat is too much for me now ... the locals say it's the hottest day this year .... 110F.


A group of ladies were sitting around this gas station having a 'chin wag' ... I joined them and before long the newspaper reporter from the Courier Times popped in for a story and a photograph. Debbie Sandholm was going to the local adult swimming session and I joined in ... fantastic ... got a good scrub, shampoo, exfoliation and a dip into the local outdoor pool. Oh! I feel brand new and lighter too! Put on fresh clothes and pushed on to the next town. Thanks Debbie and your pals for your hospitality ... typical of America!


In a pub in Paxton having a good proper meal now that it's cooled down a bit ... I've crossed another time zone and gained an hour (now Mountain Time) ... that puts me 7 hours behind Cushendall so my blog is being written while you're fast asleep. This has been another unusual and interesting day ... after my 'big feed' I don't feel like cycling the last 20 miles ... will be happy to do 10 and get a good rest ... after all I spent an hour swimming! In fact I must look out for more public swimming pools from now on. Thanks for the 'pep' talk Vivi ... but I'm really having a wonderful time.


Typical terrain near Paxton. Might have left the pub a bit on the late side as it's getting dark ... lovely evening for cycling and I clip along nicely in the cool air. What's this coming? .... it's like the Coca-Cola advert that you see at Xmas on TV ... a big semi is coming down the road and he is like a Xmas tree! Rows of spotlights ... top, bottom and sides ... Whoa! Is this what Damian means when he says ... "keep her lit?" I think I've blown it ... only managed 5 miles and I need to get the tent up ... It's getting dark too quick ... pick a not so suitable spot in long grass in this field ... oh! the mosquitoes are out in their thousands ... I spend a horrible 10 minutes fighting them while getting the tent up in darkness ... well the Moon is helping. Get inside .... spray the place down with insect repellent and collapse in a pool of sweat!! Oh! I'll not let that happen again. Managed 42.8 miles in difficult conditions but it was a successful day. Only problem is that this heat wave is to last for a few more days. Checked in with Calum. Everything is fine.

Location:North Platte, NE