30MAY2011 near Mission Ridge, SD - Today is supposed to be a stormy day and tomorrow is to be a windy day. Awakening at 0430 it is raining heavily yet at 0600 it is totally calm and the birds are welcoming the day. At 0700 I became one of a small weather-discussing crowd that had gathered at the restaurant. There was no concensus as to what today would bring until late - when a strong storm is expected. The time of day when the wind would shift and/or increase and become unbearable is a question that we were not able to agree upon. Stated otherwise, we all agreed that we could not really know. It being clear that tomorrow would be hopeless (west wind at 30 mph and greater) I opted to head for Bismarck today. John Miller graciously allowed me to store my gear out of the weather and he dropped me on highway 1804, a drive of about 8 miles. Of course before I left I pulled the canoe about 80 feet off the lake and about 5 feet higher ... only a tornado will bother it there.
Standing in the drizzling rain on the highway with my paddle, I hoped - and even half expected - to get a ride quickly. Never mind that little to no traffic comes by. Three drag racers came by pulling their racer, stopped and took me 40 miles to the 212/83 intersection a bit west from Gettysburg. They were the first vehicle to come along - I was starting out at 100%. The next ride took a while and my percentage dropped precipitously. Eventually I was picked up by Kyle Anderson, track star, football player (star?) and student leader from Riggs High School in Pierre. Kyle was on his way to the Boy's State convention in Aberdeen, fresh off his 4th place finish in the State shot put competition. He likes history and now, thanks to me, he has gained a knowledge of the life and Revolutionary War successes of Nathaniel Greene. This fine young man dropped me at Bowdle. Normally Bowdle would be out of my route, but due to road work closing US 83 near Mound City, the detour route ran to Bowdle, then north 23 miles the west 19 miles to rejoin 83. Well-l-l-l I think many folks chose an unmarked detour up 1804 or through the Standing Rock Reservation across the river because I stood in the drizzle at Bowdle and rarely saw any vehicle and those that came by gave me the stink-eye. Something about hitchhiking far from a river while holding a paddle just does not resonate with folks. After too much time, I chose to go back west where I expected more traffic and more success. Fairly soon I was aided by Josh Bieber, cousin to Justin Bieber (no joke, just not THAT Justin Bieber) and then two short rides and I was in Selby. Bicycling across the west and staying a few days in Selby was Ray Craighead of Moberly, Missouri. Google his name with a few choice words like "bicycle" and you can easily access his daily blog and enjoy his writing, photographs and paintings. Ray is a fine fellow who may stop in at our Helena home in a month or so, Helena being on his route. My conversation with Ray was cut short by my last ride of the day that deposited me at the Mo Rest Motel in Mobridge. As the day ends tornados are touching down or threating Aberdeen and other eastern towns; here's praying that the dragsters and Mr. Anderson are safe.