Pierre, Miller, Huron & Mitchell, SD

So Thursday morning we awoke to the sweet aroma of French toast and bacon. After a delicious breakfast, packing the car, and saying our farewells to Charli (tear), we drove to the edge of town and Amanda and Brittany started biking East. Anna was able to return to Pierre and spend a few more precious hours with Charli before receiving a phone call from the bikers. They were in need of a bike tool to help Brittany change a flat she had gotten (dang construction!) Soon after Anna arrived with the tool the tube was changed and all was well, or so we thought. Anna drove ahead to Miller and Brittany and Amanda continued to bike. As we biked on the gradual uphill to Miller we noticed that somebody had cut the grass next to the road. Now this usually wouldn't be a problem but somebody obviously had a blower on the side of the mower that caused the grass to cover the shoulder. At first we thought "No big deal, this won't last very long. Honestly, how long of a stretch would somebody mow for?" And as we approached mile 10 of the grassy shoulder we realized this was one serious lawn mower. This was not normal cut grass, this was piles of long, wet grass covering the smooth perfect shoulder one would not expect to find in South Dakota. With ten miles left to go we decided to bike hard and make it to Miller quickly. And as Amanda sped on going 16-18 miles per hour, Brittany peddled as hard as she could and managed a mere 12 miles per hour. Yes, that's right, another flat. Obviously we failed to remove the rock that caused the first flat (although we did check and thought all was clear). Not letting it take the fight out of them, Amanda and Brittany started walking towards Miller as Anna drove the last 6 miles to come pick them up.

Once reunited, we drove towards Sunshine Bible Academy, where we stayed for the night. We were welcomed by the sticky, buggy air of the Midwest... and by some kind people who allowed us to clean up in their home. After a dinner of pop-tarts and cookies (lack of stove/fire and motivation equals dinners such as that) we headed for bed. It was great to be sleeping inside on a soft mattress when it was raining and windy and lightening outside. Thanks Amanda and Charli for setting us up with the school!

Yesterday morning, we were greeted once again with rain and wind. Eh. We took our time in the morning (not unusual, but the rain did slow us down even more) and soon it was 2pm...how did that happen? Oh yeah...we drove to Miller because we all decided to take the rain hour to call friends and family. We stopped by a restaurant and lounge to pick up service (Amanda found great success while Anna and Brittany struggled.) When the precipitation ceased, we could not determine the direction in which the storm clouds where going, so without discussion we traveled on by car to Huron in search of lunch. Soup and bread sticks would only do, so we stopped in a twice recommended place that had none. The kind waitress saw our dismay, and referred us to the Crossroads--a small diner in a hotel--where we got our fill.

Hmm...3pm...still haven't fixed Brittany's flat tire...we just went...all the way to Mitchell, SD. Anna confessed that she was done camping (I'm ashamed, I'll admit--but I'm sick of being WET!) and Amanda agreed. Everyone was up for a hotel room and by the time we were settled in our Holiday Inn Express room (that just opened the day before! Thanks Mama & Papa K!) we looked outside and witnessed the torrential wind and rain storm only a South Dakota plain can create. We were glad to have escaped that one!

Today, with a fixed tube in Brittany's bike, we head towards Canistota for our second to last day of biking. It's hard to believe we're nearing the end.