We're in the middle of Kansas!

Hello everyone!

We have been really rolling through Kansas despite the heat and the wind. The later in the day it is, the stronger the winds become. Unfortunatly, it has been in our faces almost all the time. We've gone almost 200 mile in two days, and it has been great. Kansas has been really wonderful. I am continually surprised by the people who are curious and wanting to help in any way they can, and by the beauty our country has to offer at every turn.

So I can do a better job of updating everyone, I'm going to try and look into a Twitter account. Also, I'm getting mu parents to send me my camera cable so I can share some of my pictures.

More soon...

Chris

Hello from Missouri

Hello all,

We spent last night in Chester, Illinois which is the home of Popeye.  We spent the night between a bar and a rodeo, so that was interesting.  We then crossed the mighty Mississippi today, and it lived up to the name.  It looked very powerful, and I would not like to go swimming in it.  The past couple of days we have been getting on the road around 6 am as to stay out of the heat and humidity.

Today we reached Farmington, Missouri and have been treated well by the community.  The best part of the trip has been the amazing love and support we get from total strangers.  Thank you all very much.  After long hard days friendly people make all the difference.

I'm looking forward to the rest of Missouri.  Only after a few miles into the state, the terrain changed immediately and it felt like we were back in Virginia again as we start to scale the foothills of the similar, but smaller Ozarks.

Sorry to all that check this blog hoping that I will update it as we progress across the nation.  I will try to do a better job and update it at least once a week if not more from now on.

In to Blacksburg in One Piece

Hello everyone,

We have successfully made it to Blacksburg in one piece, well basically. The first day I fell into some gravel and cut up my hand pretty bad. Almost a week later now, it is pretty much healed. In the first week we have seen a lot and have been seasoned. We've seen 100 degree weather, and we've seen 50 degree rainy and foggy weather. We've seen the Coastal Plain and Piedmont as well as the Blue Ridge. In fact, Leanna, Dustin and I loved the Blue Ridge Parkway we decided to climb an additional 12 miles.

But we are now in Blacksburg and set to head out tomorrow morning for Rural Retreat. I've been really impressed with my equipment. Everything has performed amazingly well, and I'm looking forward to testing it some more as we have about two months left on the trip.

Alright off to bed, I've got another 60 some miles tomorrow and will need the energy.

Chris

Three Days In

Hey all,

Three days in and everything is going well. I had a little spill on the first day, but it is healing up fine. Tomorrow is going to be a real test, but it will be worth it when we get to look from the beautiful perch of the Blue Ridge. I'll have more to come later.

I hope all is well.

Chris