Day 24. Norfolk, NE to Yankton, SD

62.6 miles
3:55 ST
15.9 avg

Today seemed like a short day. I guess it must have been the wind at our backs...plus we left pretty early - 6:40. 

I knew from looking at the terrain map the other day that we would be riding through hills again, starting today. But they weren't killer hills: long, gentle grades. I think we needed granny's help only a couple times, and that was mostly to save our knees.

Off subject for a minute. This is what I normally see when I look forward as we're riding.

But all I have to do is shift a bit to the side and I get this view.

And I can look to the side...

Or even backwards...

We came upon some road construction, which you might think is a bad thing. Sometimes it's not pleasant, but in this case it was good. We had to stop and wait for the pilot car to come. When it did, we were able to just ride in the "closed" lane without traffic whizzing by us. Then, when we got out of that, it was nice because we had long periods without any traffic because it was stopped behind us. It was especially nice because the shoulder was in bad shape (which is what the construction was all about: replacing the shoulder) and no traffic behind us allowed us to ride in the road. 

Gerry got a kick out of referring to me as his "biker chick" today. I had finally dug this out of one of the stuff sacks; what a difference it makes in keeping the sweat out of my eyes.

Then.....into our sixth state!

 We came to the Missouri River. (NOW I'm beginning to feel more like we're closer to home)

 The state line is actually right in the middle of the river.

And we are in Yankton. (Again, the telltale signs of a town here - the water tower and church steeple.)

AND NOW............

Our first camping night!

We have not hauled the tent and sleeping bags

1350 miles in vain! 

 We haven't put the fly on the tent yet, because we want the breeze to keep it "cooled off".

There are some things that creep me out: snakes, parking garages, tight spaces, camping downriver of a dam. Guess which one applies to today? (Don't worry, I'll be f-f-f-ine.)

It was 88 degrees, so after setting up the tent, this seemed like a good idea.

 We were talking to the manager here at the KOA and maybe we've found our third career!  ;o) If we find the right location, it could be a six month/year job. Hmmmm...

Our camp neighbors, Doug and Sue, travel by motorcycle and pull this fold-out tent trailer. It's amazing how much room is inside; it has a queen size bed and a table. The footprint when it's folded up is only about 3'x4' and 1'-2' deep.

Gerry, the travel planner, hard at work looking ahead at our next couple days.

Meanwhile, I'm busy writing postcards to our grandkids.

How cool are those clouds!

"Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds or the thundering of His pavilion?"

Job 36:29

Oh my, it's gotten hotter as the afternoon has gone on. It could be a long night. 

Please pray that we get a good night's sleep as tomorrow will be an extra long day. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Warmly, 

Pat