Editor's Note: For this section, entries were submitted by the entire group — Fred Scire, Beth Rideout and Leona Dalton.

Where's the shade?
Saturday, July 1 (Day 28)

[Written by Beth] The day got going pretty slowly as we packed up and left our room at the Super 8 in Williston, N.D. Once out of town we cruised along rolling hills, 40 miles down before lunch.

With beautiful countryside and wheatfields all the way (but no shade). We three travelers napped alongside the road, finding none of their own shade as refuge. Continuing on we rode another 30 miles into Newtown, N.D. to find very a friendly barbeque with Tom and other cyclists from Bucks County, Pa., traveling the Northern Route, camping and taking showers at the town police station.

70 miles more
Sunday, July 2 (Day 29)

[Written by Beth] Though not much on the list for today's events, it was short-term success of conquering another 70 miles. Early in the ride we were faced with moderate headwinds which wore on us thoroughly until our route turned from south to east again. Tonight we are camped at Fort Stevenson State park near Garrison, N.D.

 

After a tease, we arrive at KOA
Monday, July 3 (Day 30)

[Written by Fred] Another long day, 82 miles, finally arriving at camp KOA around 6 p.m. after a long uphill climb away from the Missouri River. The KOA personnel were unsure of distance and teased us along in their phone directions. Finally, Gary, owner/proprietor, drives out to meet us, apologizes for misinformation and later offers us his car for shopping and dinner in town. He did redeem himself! 

Enjoyed a foot splash in fast moving Missouri ... Cold!!

Rolling fields continue with few trees. Road follows arroyos and stream cuts in surrounding plateau. No such thing as flat biking! Wheat fields giving way to cornfields and we expect more or the same.

Congratulations Gina and Brad. I'm thinking of you much love, E.R.

What a way to spend the 4th!
Tuesday, July 4 (Day 31)

[Written by Fred] Rest day ... a little laundry, log entries, what else can be shipped home?  Took a nap. Read the paper, called home. Tomorrow a short ride, only 55 miles!

Have been shipping home anything not being used consistently.

A river with no water
Thursdasy, July 6 (Day 33)

[Written by Leona] Wind, wind, wind! 26 mph headwind. For 25 miles, we averaged just 7 mph. Talk about frustration!

We crossed into South Dakota this afternoon, Staying in Pollock, S.D.

Interesting enough, there's no water in the Missouri River. We have been told that the dams south of us have been opened leaving very little water in the river here.

A beneficial detour
Saturday, July 8 (Day 35)

[Written by Leona] Today we had the wind at our backs and rode 90 miles, averaging 17-plus miles an hour.

We decided to diverge from the mapped route in hopes of finding some flat roads further away from the river. The plan worked in our favor.

Beth rode so fast today that she hit a bird. Don't believe it? She had feathers stuck to her leg and bike as proof! Of course no one else saw it, but we believe her anyway. Tomorrow morning we will be at the halfway point in terms of mileage.

An impromptu parade
Tuesday, July 11 (Day 38)

[Written by Leona] A few South Dakota days have passed — all hot and sunny and seem to blend together.

A few moments which stand out, though. On July 9, we went 63 miles to Fort Thompson and Big Bend Dam. From there, we did 79 miles on Monday which took all day. The first 40 were pleasant over rolling hills to Wessington Springs and then a nice flat 20 miles after naps on the gas station sidewalk. The remaining, and final, 10 miles took us through some nasty construction zone. Luckily, there was a pace car which we followed through the worst of it. Though probably annoying all the cars behind us by only going 10 mph, but it kind of was like being in a parade. Unfortunately ahead was another eight miles of very rough road and walls of sand and rocks, which every oncoming car and truck threw our way.

Thankfully, we made the first turn toward our camp in Pinkerton. Today we made our way across relatively flat ground for the first time. The 68 miles and afternoon headwind brought us to a stop in Avon, S.D. where we found our campsite in the yard of a moter. The evening's entertainment consisted of trampoline jumping and guitar playing and it all kept us from the usual crash before 9 p.m. Now the sun is setting, and to rise for another day on bicycles.