553 miles, 8 days, heat, cold, sun, rain, wind — we had it all on the Biking Across Kansas ride that just finished last Saturday. It was a great experience, and an adventure of the best kind. 800+ riders travelled from the Colorado border across southern Kansas to the Missouri border. We stayed in small towns that rolled out the red carpet for this mass of hungry cyclists. The wheat in western Kansas was golden and beautiful, and the Flint Hills of central Kansas were lush and green. Wildflowers were in bloom throughout the state, benefiting from the abundance of rain in the past few months. And I can attest to the fact that Kansas in NOT flat; the rolling hills of the east side of the state gave us our toughest workout. This was a perfect way to see and experience my home state. Bicycling puts you directly into the landscape, and you meet the locals face-to-face. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) was friendly, giving me a real taste of mid-western hospitality. This was the 35th year for the BAK ride (www.bak.org), and I tip my helmet to the BAK committee. The ride was wonderfully organized, the food was fabulous, and the entire experience was a great adventure!
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Bicycling and photography
It’s a countdown this week for a big bicycling ride that’s coming up. We’re planning to do the 35th annual Bike Across Kansas (www.bak.org). For someone who grew up in Kansas, there are so many parts of the state I’ve never seen or been to. It’s strange, but I’ve explored more of my new-home state of Minnesota than I have of Kansas. To help remedy this situation, last January we signed up to ride from the western edge of Kansas to the eastern edge — a distance of over 500 miles. Of course, it was subzero temps and a foot of snow on the ground in January, and June seemed a long time away. So we dreamed of sunny summer Kansas weather for about 3 months. Once the snow melted in Minnesota we began our training in earnest. It’s been a long time planning, but now we’re in the home stretch. The ride begins on Saturday, June 6th in the west Kansas town of Syracuse, and concludes 8 days later in Louisburg, at the Missouri border. It will be a trip of great scenery, new friends, lots of pedaling, and lots of miles. This trip will, however, be about bicycling and not about photography. While I will have a camera with me, my main goal is to enjoy the countryside and the experience, and to not obsess about the perfect photographic opportunity and/or scene. Check back to my blog in a couple of weeks for a report on the ride!
Eagle Scout award
I traveled to the Kansas City area last week for family celebrations. My nephew Parker graduated from high school and received his Eagle Scout award. It was a festive and grand time — a time to celebrate all his many accomplishments and to marvel at the young man he has become. He’s had the support of his parents, grandparents, family members, and the extended community where he has lived. He’s experienced the many ups and downs of a child, a teenager, and a young adult. And he’s made his aunt so very proud of him. Congratulations, Parker — I look forward to seeing what accomplishments and adventures are in your future.
Fishing success
The ice is out, spring has sprung, and fishing season has begun once again in Minnesota. And this year I’ve joined the ranks of Minnesotans with a fishing license! To be honest, the last time I was fishing was when I was about 13 years old. But, like riding a bike, it’s something that comes back to you (along with some good coaching too!). Paddling against wind gusts up to 30 mph and battling the whitecaps, we put our canoe into Peltier Lake and proceeded to the calmer shore and threw in our fishing lines. After awhile without any bites, we moved to where a small river enters the lake. The water was pretty shallow, the sun was nearly ready to set, and the fish were biting! Within about ten minutes we had caught 6 crappies! Now that’s an exciting way to fish, and with that success I’m excited to try it again. Yes, I know fishing isn’t always that rewarding, but it’s a delightful way to spend a warm evening outside. (And the crappies were delicious the following night for dinner!)
Urban cows and a great friend
When I was at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site last summer I was fortunate to have a great housemate, Jess. A native Iowan (and proud of it!), Jess was a summer park ranger at the Site. While there we attended concerts and demo derbies, and explored cemeteries and the Iowa countryside together. Then this weekend Jess ventured north to the great state of Minnesota. With a quick tour of the Minneapolis and St. Paul tourist sites we included three urban cows that reside on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. These are grand sculptures — ones that I’ve photographed during the winter when they were blanketed with snow. This time they seemed quite serene amongst the greening grass, and tame enough to allow us this photo. Jess – thanks for your visit. I hope I live my life as enthusiastically as you live yours.
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