Lakes to Mountains Tour

Out of the High School, Into the Flats

Fri May 9: Columbus to Grand Island, NE: 80 miles; 65, clouds, no wind; 10:30-4:00.
After blueberry pancakes and eggs with the Trautweins, I biked alongside Babcock Lake to Lakeview High School. Bob Arp met me at the door, welcoming me to his school. His warm reception got me thinking of 'what if's - though I'd had a great time last night and this morning with Bob and Judy, I imagined I'd have had just as good a time if I'd accepted Bob Arp's offer of lodging.
I expect Lakeview will go down as the only high school this trip where I give my litter talk. (I'm scheduled to talk at Julesburg High, but about Africa and writing books.) With nearly three hundred students in the bleachers, I played my DVD and talked shortly, then asked my three pointed questions. I am used to the reticence of high schoolers, so it didn't surprise me when no one raised their hand to suggest answers (though a very few shouted out ideas).
When I asked for their questions, though, that shyness disappeared. Several students posed thoughtful queries. One girl (Angela) asked more than the others, including a couple of insightful questions: "How many hours do you bike each day? What do you think about when you're out there?" Those questions earned her a book when I finished.
I had long mileage to go to Grand Island - and for the first time in over a week, no wind ruffled the air. Bob T and Bob A both recommended a scenic route to get to US30, avoiding downtown Columbus, and after a few short hills, the land turned dead flat. That allowed me to motor along at more than 16 mph for four hours, all the way into town.
I briefly considered camping, but decided to motel it so I could treat myself to a movie and nice dinner. I lollygagged in the shower, had a leisurely meal, and caught the 9:45 show of Iron Man. When it ended at midnight, I had to jog back to the hotel - I only had my light jacket on, and it had started raining...

posted by Glen @ 7:39 PM