June 9 - White Cloud, KS to Atchison, KS (35 mi.)

I slept very little last night probably because I had my tent set up on concrete. I just couldn't get comfortable (concrete are hard). I left White Cloud at 7:30 AM and enjoyed a leisurely ride right next to the Missouri River on the very flat bottom land on a Kansas state highway with virtually no traffic - very enjoyable. I couldn't help but think at this point that I should have kept going on to Atchison late yesterday. However, (1) that would have been a 100+ mile day which is way too many and (2) it turns out I wouldn't have made it as the hills the last 8 to 9 miles into Atchison are substantial (quite a few of them and a couple were fairly long/steep). I'm glad I didn't go for it. I arrived in Atcheson at a little past 11:00 AM. I rode past Amelia Earhart's birthplace and took the obligatory photo then found a McDs and had a nice relaxing lunch while reviewing my options for the rest of today and tomorrow (if it weren't for having to meet another rider in St. Louis on the 18th, it wouldn't matter). Lewis & Clark State Park was my intended destination for tonight and Atchison is about 6 miles short of that. I went the extra 20 miles yesterday so I could get here before the forecast rain/storms. I had all but decided to press on to Platt City, MO 25 miles further down the road, but when I came out from eating lunch the skies were very dark and it looked like it was ready to pour rain. So I headed to the Super 8 and got an inexpensive room for the night. It was only a little after 1:00 PM but this was practically my intended destination anyway and I REALLY don't like riding in the rain. Anyway, I'm cleaned up and have done my laundry. I look forward to just relaxing, having a nice dinner and turning in early to get a good nights rest. The rain is forecast to let up around 9:00 AM tomorrow morning so I'll be off for Watkins Mill State Park about 68 miles down the road. I think is flat for the first 13 miles but then gets hilly like the last 8 to 9 miles into Atchison for about 25 miles before leveling off somewhat.

Nice morning ride along the Missouri.

Interesting lawn scape. There is a new house to the left of this.

Amelia Earhart's birthplace, Atchison, KS