I was as far away from all the oceans as I could possibly be today. It sort of defined the term “land-locked”. The Center of the Lower 48 States, just outside of Lebanon, KS. Riding there today passed me through some of the most desolate and infinite prairies. It’s not so much that the land goes on and on, in fact it sort of rolls out of sight…it’s the sky that is the infinite. There is more blue than land.
Very near this center lives the World’s Largest Ball of Twine. And let me tell you, it does not overwhelm. It’s sort of a “meh”. Unless you’re really into the Roadside Attraction kitsch, then it would be really cool. Or maybe if it wasn’t 100 degrees in the shade.
Seriously…could I have picked a worse weather day to start a motorcycle ride? Not a cloud in the sky, but WAY too much sun. As I was leaving the Center of the States my thermometer read 100 degrees. It was time to call it. I needed a rest and some cooling down after 7 hours in the blistering heat.
I would pull over every 30 miles or so and dump another bottle of water all over my shirt. It cooled for a short bit, but then needed a refill. Finally the heat and exhaustion got to me, so I stopped in Smith Center for the night. Checking the weather for tomorrow…looks to be far cooler. Hopefully I can make up some miles and suffer my way across the Nebraska prairie.
More later…