A weekend in Nebraska...

Another weekend down! Here is a recap from Saturday through Monday :) The day began with some insect fun! For all of my biology friends, you understand my excitement about this, especially those of you who suffered through Invertebrate Zoology with me. We found several shed exoskeletons from Cicadas that inhabited the area. I couldn't help but pick a few up to take a picture, and spend some time observing the living insects too.





After a 100 mile day into Red Cloud, NE we were all reaalllyy tired, and I definitely felt it on Saturday when we began out 77 mile ride into Fairbury, NE. The day, however, became longer than anticipated when we stopped over at Grandpa's Crossing - a diner - to get a cup of coffee and have a break. Not 10 minutes after we arrived a large thunderstorm came pouring down and kept us indoors for over 2 hours. As time went on several other cyclists caught up to the same point and sought shelter also.






With some pizza, drinks, and good company, time went by quickly. However, after 2 hours we were all ready to get back on the road and head into camp. It had been a long week and a long day, especially after the late start we usually get. The rain finally started to slow, and the lightning subsided so we got back on the road and finally made it back into camp at 4:30 pm - a very long day.

The weekend was spent in Fairbury, Nebraska, a small town that may not have any cellphone reception, but has an abundance of trains. We stayed in the city park which was bordered by the train tracks, which carried over 75 trains through each day, from 6 am to about 3am each day! In the photo below you can see the fountain in the park, as well as some model trains they have on display in the background :)



Fairbury was an amazing town! We spent Saturday evening entertaining ourselves as the local "Pla Mor Lanes" bowling alley. Over 20 cyclists went a did some bowling and had a few beers. It was a great way to not only give to a small town business, but also get to know other cyclists better that you don't always ride with. Despite my lack of bowling skills, I did win the first game in my lane!.... this didn't last long.

Sunday was also amazing. We joined a Presbyterian church in Fairbury who gave us a huge welcome. They had been anticipating our arrival and were more than prepared!








We took up a good portion of their church.... It was a sea of Green



At each church we get a cyclist or two to speak to the congregation about our cause as well as provide some stories from the tour, and this week "Boot-strap Jane" (nicknamed such by me for the boot she wears for her injured ankle) spoke.




Afterwards we were surprised with the most amazing feast we've seen yet on this trip. We had been informed that we would be provided lunch, but this was more than any of us could imagine. The ladies at the church said they had been cooking all week. We believe them.



They also had a spread of the same size just for desserts...



The food was so amazing and there was SO MUCH of it! We were all stuffed and the congregation continued to invite us up for seconds, thirds, fourths, and fifths! There was an abundance of leftover food, some of which they sent us home with. This welcome was greater than any of us could have anticipated. We were so blessed by their generosity!

After church I decided to take the afternoon to relax. I was feeling really tired from the week so several of us went swimming at the pool for a few hours where I quickly gained a new friend named Erika, a 10 year old who just loved hanging around us, as well as using me as her personal floatation device. She was very cute. Later that evening, as we ate dinner, several cyclists noticed her hanging around the outskirts of our camp grounds. We found out that she had only eaten breakfast that day and wouldn't be eating dinner unless she made it herself. Her mother worked all day and she essentially looked after herself. So, dinner was provided to her and she spent the evening with the cyclists :) A few girls bought her a Sea to Sea t-shirt and gave her a wristband to take home with her. It was really nice to see those in need directly and immediately benefiting from our tour and group. I wish I got a picture of her, but unfortunately not.

Today, Monday, was a 50 mile day, an amazing break following those long days. We stopped over in Beatrice, NE for a break at a local Bakery that had just reopened today. They had amazing cinnamon buns for only 80 cents! Nearly every cyclist stopped in to enjoy the food.






And while we were there, we found out that we were in the local paper! It explained all of the friendly honks and hello's we got that morning as we got ready.





We continued on to our destination, Firth, NE where we are staying at the Oasis Bible Camp. This is an amazing stop because we have individual showers and AC :D One of the camp workers was kind enough to drive us the 3 miles to Firth so we could use the Wi-Fi and blog!

Tomorrow we will be heading to Shenadoah, NE, about 70 miles. Pray for the cyclists as we head out again! Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to blog again! Stay tuned!