McPherson, Kansas is named after General James Birdseye McPherson, a Union officer in the Civil War who died at age 35 in the battle of Atlanta. He was the second-highest-ranking Union officer killed in action during the war. With a middle name like Birdseye, I initially wondered if he might also be connected to the life-changing innovation of frozen foods. However, upon further reflection, I realize that it would be highly unlikely considering modern refrigeration technology hadn't even been invented when McPherson was commanding troops in the 1860s. Still, you must admit, that is an impressive middle name.
We rolled into McPherson today at around 1:00 pm. Homemade cookies were waiting for us in the lobby of the Best Western Hotel when we arrived.
Today's ride featured the same sites, sounds and smells that we have experienced for the last three days in Kansas. Long flat, straight roads lined with telephone poles, with hundreds of acres of farmland on either side. Massive farm equipment at work in the fields harvesting the crops and lumbering slowly down the roads. Small farming towns with auto parts stores, Dollar General stores, perhaps a Dairy Queen fast-food restaurant, and a John Deere dealership displaying new and used farm equipment for all to see. The ever-present railroad tracks seem to connect almost every town. Massive, towering grain silos (at least I think that's what they are) are built right next to the tracks in each small town. With elaborate systems to efficiently load up the rail cars and send them on their way to market.
Temperatures hit the mid-90s this afternoon when we rode into town. We fought a headwind most of the day, but they were not as severe as the headwinds we faced riding into Dodge City two days ago. It was refreshing to retire to my air-conditioned hotel room for a refreshing shower and a short nap.
Tomorrow we reach our "official" half-way point in our cross country journey. Considering our total mileage on this particular route across America, tomorrow evidently we hit the halfway point in terms of miles. The tour staff mentioned tonight that they are planning on getting a picture of all of us at the specific mile marker. I suppose that would be nice, but I'm far more interested in simply riding my bike each day. Watching the world go by at the civilized pace of between 10 and 20 miles an hour. The thought that this trip is about halfway complete brings both feelings of happiness and sadness.
Tomorrow we ride to Abilene, KS.
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