Day 18: Shelby to Chester to Joplin to Havre

Pictures: Riding up and out of Shelby
The Louisiana Blogging Boys; Pat and Dave
Susan on the road
Bald Eagle Nesting
Pronghorn Antelope
After a great nights rest and some camp oatmeal we headed out. The Louisianans left with us. We made good time. I saw hundreds of gophers, a Pronghorn Antelope, what I believe is a Bald Eagle sitting on its nest. Hit the Camber of Commerce in Chester around 10 learn of the spud’s café and that the library didn’t open till noon cause Thursday nights it stays open late. So I’m hanging out in front of the courthouse typing away. One woman walking by has already stopped and talked to me about the ride for more than 10 minutes. You meet lots of people like her that dream of the adventure of riding across the country.
I found the barbershop ready for business. I told the barber that I wanted a #1 on the sides #2 on top. He says #1 is short and he’ll do a 1 and ½ on top. I was like sure…okay. Kevin and Rick showed up and took the seat after me while I rode around looking for the others; eventually finding them at Subway. They had already eaten so inviting them to join us at the Spud’s café was mute. When I got back I found that even though Kevin asked for a #2 on the sides and #4 on top his haircut looked strikingly similar to my own. So I guess we learned that for $10 you get the haircut the barber wants to give ya not the one you request. After lunch and spending an hour in the library, I left for Joplin flying along with the cruise control set on 23. We drank some PowerAde in the bar/grocery in Joplin the went to the park to set up tents. Well, when your flying along with a tailwind you don’t think much of it but setting up tents in a 30 mph wind; difficult. Then watching the tent beat itself to death is a different thought altogether. After half an hour of Rick and me watching the wind torture or tents and reflecting on the kind of sleep laying in such an abode would provide, Rick came up with the idea of cranking another 34 odd miles to Harve. So we packed up our gear and took off for Harve. When I got to Wal-Mart my cyclocomputer read: 105.68 miles, time 5:45:47, for an 18.3mph average; my fastest century yet. We were beat though and the campground was right by the main road so we sought out accommodations at the Town House Inn.