July, 23, 2014 - Houston, MO

Post date: Jul 23, 2014 2:40:17 PM

I found a McDonald's and a Walmart here. The towns we have been in and are going to are quite remote, through the Ozark Mountains. We didn't have any internet for the last 24 hours or so. I don't mind buying a pineapple/mango smoothie so I can sit in the air conditioning and use the Wifi at the Mc. The last 2 motels we have stayed at don't even take a credit card over the phone to reserve. At last night's motel, we called ahead and she said she would leave the room unlocked for us. There was a note on the nightstand with the key asking us to leave the money in the envelope and lock up when we leave. We told Rose what time to expect us and she actually came and met us there and had the AC running for us. It was very convenient to stop right where we ended on the route for once, instead of loading up the bikes and driving somewhere and then carrying the bikes up 2 flights of stairs. We rolled off the route straight into the room! Looking ahead- at the end of the day today the only camping option is on the courthouse lawn. I can't remember the name of the town- it is 20 miles west of our lunch stop today at Bendavis, MO.

We have been extremely blessed with the weather. Friends and family tell us we seem to be dodging storms as they look at the national weather maps. Yesterday and today are unseasonably hot and humid for this area. It is supposed to cool down to the 80s for the next few days. But today is another hot one. The guys had their 2nd hardest day of climbs yesterday, along with the heat, it made for a tough stretch.

I'm going to pack up from here and head over to Walmart for some breakfast items for tomorrow and then catch up on the route for lunch.