Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Dodge City, Kansas

The Day of the "Century"

Go to calendar

Home    Next Page      Previous Page    Photo Album

Today we traveled from Oakley, Kansas to Dodge City.  Although we miss the mountains, it was good to be in the great plains states.  As with previous journals, we salute the staff in the Machine Shop at Ohio Willow Wood.  We are very pleased with the machined parts used in our Pathfinders.  Our legs have been extremely durable and comfortable.  A big salute to the guys and gals at the Machine Shop.  They are:

Rick Taylor, Bart Byrum, Kathy Emrick, Tyler Emrick, Damen Jones, Jim Kern, Bob King, Gary Liff, Jim Lingerfelt, Sue Long, Jarrod Patterson, Bob Patterson, Dave Penn, Jake Queen, Brent Rohrer, Bob Rowland, Danny Taylor, Jamey Walisa, Ricky Williams

Jim and Trish dedicated today's ride to Dad Marulli who passed away last week.  He was a very good friend and he will be sorely missed.  We started our day under clear skies and cool breezes.  We fortunately had the winds at our backs and the riding felt good.  Here the boys (with Trish in the van providing support) start the day on Highway 83 which was basically flat and smooth.

It's harvest time in Kansas and all along the route we saw combines harvesting wheat.  It was quite a sight.

Pictured at right are prosthetics Jayhawk style.  These high tech legs are fashioned out of natural materials and left to cure on fence posts.

A view of the Jayhawk prosthetic manufacturing plant.  Unfortunately, the plant was not yet open for our perusal.  Actually this is a stone building built in 1916.  It is part of the Keystone Gallery.  We recommend a stop at their gift shop to anyone traveling down Hwy. 83

Mark, who has always been a "Bonanza" fan, uses his bike to herd straying cattle for a busy rancher.  Mark is a big fan of Hoss.  In keeping with the AAA code of ethics, Mark accepted no payment for his efforts.

The wind gods were kind to us and the boys pushed on through the Kansas plains for over a hundred miles today (that's 100 miles per rider).  The boys felt good pulling a "century" and proudly pose at "Mom's" place in Cimarron, Kansas for some much needed cold, liquid refreshment after finishing their 100 miles with Mom (alias Pearlie Mae Wakeman), the proprietor of the establishment. 

No, the boys are not indicating their collective IQ.  They are signaling their lengthy ride with the numbers 100.  The boys collapsed shortly after this photo was taken.

It was a good day, lots of riding and great scenery.  Cheryl spent the majority of today as support rider and team photographer.  They are great pics Cheryl.  Joe rode 72 miles in between his support driving which is no easy feat and the exercise felt good.  Tomorrow we ride to Hutchinson Kansas.  If the boys are able to drag their sorry behinds out of bed tomorrow, we will maintain our schedule.  Stay tuned.

Return to Top of Page