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DAY 26
Terre Haute, IN to Greenville, IN - 99 miles
DAY 26
Terre Haute, IN to Greenville, IN - 99 miles
Scratch the nice night. I went from sweating from the humidity, to becoming chilly, to hearing the wind nearly whip the tent down, to lightning, thunder and heavy rain pouring down. One flash of lightning was so bright it lit up the whole campground. When I started getting dripped upon, that was enough. I made the mad dash (after having the zipper stick for about a minute) and ended up soaked. Chris was nice enough to scoot over and let me share a piece of his bed. The downside was he punched me in the arm at about 5:00 asking me if it was time to get up. I said no, we were getting up at 6:00. He said oh and rolled over. I didn’t punch him back. I’m not like that (anymore).
The teamwork was present today on the bikes -- but it had a different effect on me. I found myself terrifically challenged by it. I don’t know if something’s working itself out or if I’m just being selfish. I have a terrific independent spirit that I have developed through years of doing it “myself”. Myself needs to be in quotes because I realize even in times where I did something completely on my own, there were always others who supported me in getting to that place. At any rate, I struggled with the group element as one of the great joys of cycling to me is the exploration. With this teamwork, it’s not about exploring, it’s about being machine-like. Five minute pull, go. Fifteen minute draft. Five minute pull, go. Stopping for a picture is a chore as if anyone doesn’t want to (and this is evidenced by frequent rolls of the eyes and sighs), I feel guilty. I know this is best for the group right now...so this is how it will be. I know I have the rest of my life to cycle the way I want to.
It was very, VERY hot today. The humidity is kicking. The pulsing off the road from the heat is palpable. I can feel the crops next to me that have been freshly watered as they radiate a blanket of steam. The roadkill (largely possums and skunks) have a stink that seems to linger even longer. We saw a gorey roadkill yesterday -- a poor deer who just didn’t get it done. The few roadkill deer we’ve seen to this point have been mostly in tact. This one’s organs were strewn across the road. The glimmer on them made them look fresh.
I’m being a bit morbid right now.
It is what it is.
LATER...
There was an amazing storm tonight -- a tornado watch was issued from the national weather service. What that means to us in the morning? We’ll see. I filmed the incredible lightning and thunder for about an hour it was striking all over the place and the thunder was setting off car alarms. The air sirens went off -- reminding me of old war movies. The lady from the front counter at the hotel we’re staying at said we should come inside. I said, “Do we have to?” Like we’re in school or something...yes, Bobby. Come inside right now or you’ll get a check-minus on the board!
We stayed outside.
Chris asked the woman for more cookies. She said he’d had enough. I agree.
The teamwork was present today on the bikes -- but it had a different effect on me. I found myself terrifically challenged by it. I don’t know if something’s working itself out or if I’m just being selfish. I have a terrific independent spirit that I have developed through years of doing it “myself”. Myself needs to be in quotes because I realize even in times where I did something completely on my own, there were always others who supported me in getting to that place. At any rate, I struggled with the group element as one of the great joys of cycling to me is the exploration. With this teamwork, it’s not about exploring, it’s about being machine-like. Five minute pull, go. Fifteen minute draft. Five minute pull, go. Stopping for a picture is a chore as if anyone doesn’t want to (and this is evidenced by frequent rolls of the eyes and sighs), I feel guilty. I know this is best for the group right now...so this is how it will be. I know I have the rest of my life to cycle the way I want to.
It was very, VERY hot today. The humidity is kicking. The pulsing off the road from the heat is palpable. I can feel the crops next to me that have been freshly watered as they radiate a blanket of steam. The roadkill (largely possums and skunks) have a stink that seems to linger even longer. We saw a gorey roadkill yesterday -- a poor deer who just didn’t get it done. The few roadkill deer we’ve seen to this point have been mostly in tact. This one’s organs were strewn across the road. The glimmer on them made them look fresh.
I’m being a bit morbid right now.
It is what it is.
LATER...
There was an amazing storm tonight -- a tornado watch was issued from the national weather service. What that means to us in the morning? We’ll see. I filmed the incredible lightning and thunder for about an hour it was striking all over the place and the thunder was setting off car alarms. The air sirens went off -- reminding me of old war movies. The lady from the front counter at the hotel we’re staying at said we should come inside. I said, “Do we have to?” Like we’re in school or something...yes, Bobby. Come inside right now or you’ll get a check-minus on the board!
We stayed outside.
Chris asked the woman for more cookies. She said he’d had enough. I agree.
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