June 27

Great Bend to Hutchinson

70/2100

I wake up thinking I'll take a rest day. Then I open the door and discover cloud cover and much lower temperatures so I pack up and split.

I can't believe this great weather! Road construction abounds and my tires collect a thick layer of tar and grit. In Ellinwood, I meet westbounders Leo and Sandy from Florida. They bombard me with all the details of the road ahead and I just tell them to look for Hite Marina in Utah. That's really the only advice I offer other cyclists I meet. I then dine at a Dairy Queen and decide to remain off the ACA route for another day or two.

The afternoon brings a nice breeze which pushes me for a change and I clean up 25 miles in a jiffy before reaching Hutchinson.
There were some interesting signs along the way...

Once in Hutchinson I ask a nice lady on the street for directions to the motels and a guy approaches and informs me of the cyclists' hostel at the Lutheran Church. He says the keys are available at Harley's Bike Shop. I feel a bit reluctant but I take his advice. The bike shop is great and they hand me the key to Zion Lutheran Church.

 

There are two hospital-style rooms on the stage facing the downstairs dining hall. It seems I'll be the only cyclist staying here tonight. I take some self-photos and see that I've definitely dropped a few pounds.

After a nice shower I wander around the church taking pictures. There are photos of baptisms and confirmations at this church from the 1920's. There is a big scrapbook in the dining area with photos and articles that span the church's history.

I sit in the sanctuary for while, but it's super hot so I head off for dinner.

When I return it's dark and I feel quite spooked out being here all alone. I swear someone is here and I walk around to find out for sure. Someone is in the shower area. I don't see any other biking gear around so I wonder who it could be. The water shuts off. I'm sitting on the edge of the bed writing in my journal. I hear a door open and look up. A dude flashes past a doorway and looks my way and keeps moving without a word. I hear footsteps and then a door shut. Now I'm creeped out. Who was that guy? Is he gonna pop up later and startle the crap out of me? Needless to say, I slept very poorly.