"For some, star count will always be more important than thread count."

Friday, July 6, 2012 (Day 30)

Cedar Shore Resort, Chamberlain, SD (on the Missouri River)

Miles:  74  MPH:  12 Max:  34  Total:  1752

Camping on the Missouri River tonight - spectacular view!  We are about 1/2 way home!!

Wondering if we will ever have a boring day on the road!  Wow!  Today went on forever!  The day began peacefully.  Our ride was on Rt 16 or SD 248 or Country Road or Service Road or the Old Hwy.....we were never sure what it was called.  It didn't matter. There were no road signs, but it was the only road!  At one point I checked my compass, yep we were headed East so that was all that mattered.  Riding several hours and only a few cars passed.  The wide open plains were beautiful and tranquil.  This is the land where "Dances with Wolves" was filmed!

All of a sudden -- BANG!  I thought, "I sure hope someone is shooting at us and that noise is not one of our tires :-)"  The trailer tire blew out!  Jack started to change the flat but realized that our hand pump had the valve for our bike tires but not the right valve for the trailer!  We had passed a town (ha!  town is stretching it!) about 5 miles back. 

Bang!!

Again amazingly, a rescuer!  A kind man and his Mom drove Jack and the tire back to town while I stayed with our bikes.  Our spare tube then blew out, so they checked around and found another spare tube at a farm supply store.  Creatively, Jack duck taped the tire since it was shredded.  (Just love Duck tape - we are on our second role -- we use it to mend our rain covers for our bike bags, fix our tent, repair our sandals, repair our sun glasses, make place mats when the picnic tables are really dirty and now line the inside of a shredded tire!!)

First Rescue of the Day!

The Duck taped tire lasted about 40 miles and blew again!  We could see the Missouri River!!  Double amazing, the Chief of Police stopped to help.  He took us to a hardware store.  We bought a new tire only it's not exactly the right size!!  Hoping we will get to Mitchell tomorrow with a lop-sided trailer!!!

Jack took a fall traveling down to the Marina to get air for all our tires!  Does he think a broken arm will excuse him from finishing the trip?  He is a bit bruised but fine.  We celebrated our 1/2 way with a great dinner!

Our campsite is gorgeous!  Windy and much cooler tonight! 

On the Missouri River

Trying to come up with a plan to send the trailer back home.  It would mean also sending our tent home.  We have loved camping but would look forward to riding without the trailer!!! We continue to be amazed by the kindness and helpfulness of strangers!!

OMG!  WE MISS HOME!

Pins collected to far!!