Heading to Oklahoma

During the night Joanna and I were awaken by a very strong wind pounding on our hotel window. I got up and looked out the window to see trees and bushes leaning over. The wind was howling!! I was a little concerned that we might have the wind in the morning too. This wind would not have been safe for riding. I have learned not to worry about anything so I went back to bed, covered my ears and went to sleep. This morning we woke up to calmer winds BUT for us it was blowing the WRONG way. It was a headwind/crosswind. Now all my riding friends know that I'm not fast in the wind but I get there. So to my relief, 2 of my new faster friends both named Jim wanted to go slower today. They are usually in the lead and I chase them all day. Today they rode with me and insisted on pulling all day for 73 miles. We formed an echelon and I was in the third position. I was still getting shoved around a lot from the wind. Everytime a semi came from either direction I had to hold on tight. When they come up from the back they shoved us forward. I could feel my jacket blow up my back. When they came from the front it felt like a slap in the face. AND when they came from both directions at once our bikes felt shoved forward and backwards at the same time. It was a very strange feeling. Luckily the weather was beautiful. The sky was bright blue with white clouds. It was really neat to see the blue sky meet the green of the landscape. FINALLY GREEN!! No more desert.

My pictures will not transmit still so I will catch that up when possible. I have pictures from crossing in to 2 states. I forgot to sprinkle my sand today at the Oklahoma line. I hope the fairies will still shine on me. They definately did today. Thanks to Jim Hall and Jim "Doc" for pulling me all the way today.

Stats:
73 miles
5:23 time
23.1 max
13.6 average
The stats tell you how difficult the wind can make a ride. Oh well, we made it! That is what counts.