Day 22: Oacoma to Mitchell

Today's relatively "short" 76 mile ride to Mitchell was certainly less arduous than yesterday's - but still mentally challenging.  I am clearly going through a mid-trip mental slump - which is not unexpected.   I had the same issue in Oklahoma when doing the southern route three years ago.  However on that trip I also had severe leg cramping - whereas on this trip my legs continue to be strong and almost totally free of cramping.

Our route today was almot entirely on Highway 16  as it follows the I-90 corridor through this part of the state.  The road had minimal traffic which allowed CD and I to ride side-by-side for much of the day.  CD likes to tell stories which helped pass the time on an otherwise boring ride.  I guess I should have been more excited - we passed about 50 miles south of my birthplace soon after leaving Oacoma; and we passed the halfway point of the trip right after lunch.  But the unchanging scenery and endless miles of straight road, combined with a strong crosswind  suppressed whatever sense of excitement that I should have felt.  

Speaking of excitement - how about the Corn Palace in Mitchell.  I'm pretty sure I was the only one in the group that had ever seen it so I received numerous questions about it over the course of last evening and during today's ride.  My response - "everyone should see it once in there life".  Since I had seen it countless times as a child (and again this May) during our family trips from Des Moines to visit relatives in Ree Heights SD, I chose not to ride the extra miles to see it.  However, there is a chance we'll get into the vans after dinner and see it when it is illuminated.  If we go, I'll include an "exciting" picture in tomorrow's post. If not you'll have to check it out online.

Tomorrow's 73 mile ride to Sioux Falls should be much like today's ride.  It looks like we will continue to be blessed with nice weather - only a few light showers or sprinkles since leaving Astoria OR.  But that does not stop us from complaining about the ever present winds in this part of the country - tomorrow they will be blowing strongly out of the southeast as we head straight east.

Steve