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Day 28: Ordway, CO to Eads, CO
Total Miles: 65
Ah, the 2PM start - Arthur and I are really on a roll here. What a fantastic morning we’ve had with our new friend Gillian. We woke up at 5:45 and were ready to ride by 6:15, hoping to make it to the bakery in town by the time it opens - then Gillian woke up to see us off …
We got to talking … one thing led to another and before I knew it we were sitting atop Metric (one of her horses) while Copper (the other) rolled around playfully in the dirt. We met Ginger and Tigger, her dogs, the new ducklings that were just born a day ago, her African geese and goslings, the chickens (one had gotten caught in the fence upside down during the storm last night and needed to be rescued). Gillian was so bubbly and excited to give the grand tour of her farm. We enjoyed a nice breakfast of fresh eggs and delicious pastries from the local bakery (she let us borrow her car), uploaded our pictures and checked email. Time flew as we learned of her years living on a sailboat throughout the South Pacific, shared stories about New Zealand, learned of her many projects and adventures - we had such a fantastic time visiting with her (we all really seemed to hit it off). Before we new it one oclock was approaching and she needed to go to work. Despite Gillian's effort to have us stay another night, after seven hours of visiting with our new friend we reluctantly got on our bikes to face the raging headwind that had developed.
Another tough day against the wind for us. How absolutely mentally draining - who would have thought wind could have such a frustrating effect. We arrived in Haswell to find the only available gas station for dinner ingredients closed. We met two young boys who thoroughly advised us on the wind speed, looming storm and food situation 23 miles up the road in Eads. We knew we'd have to push super hard to make it to Eads before the storm broke (the boys predicted golf ball sized hail, crazy winds and deadly lightening). The storm closed in around us and somehow we managed to ride those 23 miles under the only patch of light clouds in the sky as lightening raged all around us. It's a scary commitment to try to beat a storm in Eastern Colorado (might as well be Kansas) given the lack of trees, houses, ditches or any other variation in landscape that would offer shelter from a storm. We pushed hard and made it - celebrating with a great dinner at the Country Kitchen where we met a man in his late 60's walking across the country and another man riding his bike across the country. Funny to have us all gathered in three consecutive booths in this little restaurant. Another cozy night of sleep in the town park/ truck stop, nothing like sheer exhaustion to make you sleep well regardless of the circumstances.
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Gillian
non-member comment
Metric
It was really neat to have you two stay ... and it is so cool to hear that you did enjoy the grand tour of the estate... doesn't take too long if one doesn't climb on the horses... you two did take advantage of seeing the different life styles across the states.. rather than just a mileage game... have had quite a few stay since you left... thanks for spreading the word for those needing a shower and a bed. Keep on having the adventures... kindest regards Gillian