First, an update on last night's Old West Show in Dodge City that I chose to skip. Alan, the captain and chief spokesperson for the British National Men's Cycling Team- Masters Division, said, "Yes, it was good entertainment." My unscientific poll of the other riders who attended the show found most expressing varying degrees of enjoyment. I was told there was a gunfight outside on the old west street and a song and dance show with Miss Kitty and some dancing girls inside Miss Kitty's Saloon. One of our riders, Leonard, told me that you could actually buy one of the dancing girls' garters for $4. He said he thought long and hard about it, but ultimately decided to save his money for lunch today. He also confided in me that one of the showgirls seemed to take a liking to him. Apparently, he had to, "think fast," as he put it, and slip out the backdoor before things got more complicated. And you thought that the most dangerous part of this trip was the bike riding.
Today's ride was 95 miles to the town of Great Bend, KS. Great Bend is named for its location at the point where the course of the Arkansas River bends east and then southeast. The population of the city is around 16,000. As you might imagine, the primary industry is agriculture and cattle raising.
We were fortunate today in that, for the most part, we had only moderate winds. In the afternoon we had a bit of a headwind for the last 25 or so miles, but nothing as strong as yesterday's winds. Luckily we rolled into Great Bend in the early afternoon because as I write this, the temperature has now climbed into the mid-90s.
I rode the last 25 miles with Jake, one of our America by Bicycle staff members that I've mentioned before. Jake is one of the most even-tempered, delightful individuals I have ever met. He should teach courses in good behavior. But perhaps that would be difficult for him. I think it just comes naturally to him.
One point of interest on today's ride was Fort Larned National Historic Site. Fort Larned operated from 1859 to 1878 and was established to protect traffic along the Santa Fe Trail from hostile American Indians. The historical site is nice, but I think that the least we can do today, in these more enlightened times, is turn the thing into an Indian Casino. Is it too much to ask that we give back to the local Indian tribes, considering all the past injustices we have inflicted upon them? I wrote this suggestion down and dropped it in the suggestion box in the visitor's center. Maybe I'll write to the local congressman as well. In fact, I have a good mind to contact Elizabeth Warren's people and suggest that she champion this cause. Let's face it, in this part of America, Ms. Warren needs all the help she can get. This assumes her campaign even knows the state of Kansas is actually part of the United States and hence part of the Electoral College.
As you can see from these two photos, there is ample room on the site for a large Casino complex. I envision a Sports Book, a Luxury Hotel with at least 2 large themed pools, 3 or 4 high-end restaurants, a day spa and maybe even an 18 hole championship golf course. I'm surprised that the local tribes have not petitioned the Historical Society about this. I mean, everybody wins. The local economy gets a shot in the arm. The local tribes get badly needed money for education and social safety net programs, and the residents of this rural part of Kansas get a little pizzaz. What's not to like? It's a no brainer in my book. My next step is to arrange a meeting between the tribal elders and some influential friends of mine. I know some folks who are heavily involved in the gaming industry. Perhaps even fly the elders to Vegas, to show them some of the possibilities. I'll keep you posted on how things develop. In fact, one of my friends (who until recently was high up in the gaming industry) is currently spending 6 months in the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, KS, not that far away from here. I may have to pay him a visit on my next day off. See how things just come together sometimes? Amazing.
Tomorrow our tour of Kansas continues as we continue eastward to McPherson, KS.
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