Oct. 13 – Wind, Gold, Beer and Friendship

I am so glad I got a hotel last night! Not only did it rain, but the temperature dropped into the 40’s and the wind continues to whip. Luckily though, today it was blowing to the SE, so even though I didn’t have a direct tailwind, it was close enough to be a help to me, although the big gusts tended to blow me right off the road! But I made great time, zipping along at 16 or 17 mph without having pedal that hard (it probably doesn’t seem like it – but that is really fast for cycle-touring!) On another historical marker stop, I learned about a NM-KS connection that was new to me –

The obsession to find a city of gold was Coronado’s undoing and it ended in Kansas! When I got to Nickerson, where I had planned to camp, it was not yet 2pm. So I had a quick lunch on a bench outside the super market and then kept going. Buhler was about 20 miles further, so I set my sights there. Plus, I noticed that there was a Warmshowers host in Buhler, so I emailed – apologizing for the late notice and inquiring about a place to stay. When I rolled into Buhler I had gotten a response from the Warmshowers host, Garth, and he was available – Yay!! Not only that, he offered to pick me up down on Main Street where I had ended up, as he lived a few miles out of town. Now that is service! We collaborated on a plan for dinner (his wife was out of town on a camping trip) and I picked up a few groceries while he was on his way. Buhler is a nice little town – as opposed to many of the small towns I had ridden through the Main Street was thriving. There is a large Mennonite community in Buhler (and much of the surrounding area) and most of the businesses are Mennonite-owned. It has made a difference.

But all is not well in Buhler….a revolution is brewing (literally). I noticed signs placed in many yards in town.

Now this is a cause I could get behind! And notice it is not a call for Freedom and Beer…..but for Beer and Freedom. I wondered what was going on. While I was sitting on a bench pondering this Garth pulled up in his pick-up. We made our introductions and then loaded up my bike and gear and headed to his nice home on 40 acres just outside of town. What a nice guy! Garth is a few years older than me and retired from a career as the president of a local credit union. He is an avid cyclist, community volunteer and Kansas advocate – he was able to answer all my questions about Kansas, including the Beer and Freedom issue. Evidently there is a food vs. beer sales provision for brewery licensing and the opposition to that system is rising up. I wish them success whenever the vote happens. Garth and I teamed up to whip up an excellent pasta and salad dinner and he had some good local craft beers in the fridge. Then we solved most of problems of the world while my dirty cycling clothes got washed and we did the dishes. By 9 I was ready to turn it. I had cycled about 75 miles that day and was going to attempt the same the next day.

I am so appreciative to Garth for welcoming me into his home (especially on short notice!) and for his incredible hospitality. I feel that I have made another friend.