Taking notice

Sometimes we can go through our days so distracted that you miss the the little things going on around you. There are interesting things no matter where you live, are you looking? Living off the bike brings it front and center. You search for the little things that all of a sudden go from the mundane to entertainment. That expression sometimes you're the the bug and sometimes your the windshield becomes all to real. You experience some occurrences that otherwise might not catch your attention. We have had horses run with us, dogs chase us (or are they trying to run with us also), made rocky mt goats jump over the edge, birds pretend they were injured to distract us from their nests (as well as try and shit on our heads), John howled at a coyote, it stopping and taking notice, prairie dogs complain about us, bison stare us down, ground squirrels try and get us to run them over ( kamikazes? no dumb) and mostly cows stare at us with a look in their eyes that says WHY? We also get that look from the drivers of on coming traffic. Lots seem to acknowledge us in a friendly manner whether it be the one finger wave, the cap tap, the head nod, the peace sign, the high five or the wave. Which ever style they choose, it's fun to be seen. But they do kinda look at you like the cows asking WHY?
It's a good question with the answer varying as frequently as the the wind direction. Yup there is that wind thing again! You can't get around it out here. It can help you crank out 100 miles with little to no pain or make you almost cry over a stupid things like a mushed banana. We are getting smarter though then previous tours. When the winds at your back, ride! When it's in your face keep your days short, maybe even get a hotel and if there is a detour sign talk to the locals it could save you a 30 mile unnecessary side trip.
It's definitely not the food! We cook as much as we can but sometimes grocery stores are few and far between. There is a lot of green outside but not real popular on the menus. The small towns usually have a diner or bar but the food choices are the same, who would have thought a Irish girl like me would be sick of french fries.
I think the driving force that motivates us, that keeps us doing these tours, is how it simplifies life. Lots of planning to get to this point (thanks to everyone who has helped us let go of our ties) but when you are out on the bikes the only real worries are about your next meal, where to sleep, where to clean your clothes (pure joy) and what direction do we go next? That last question is even easier for this tour, east! The iPhones are a blessing and a curse at the same time. It is great to hear from people and know what's going on but a bit of a leash with trying to find the next charge. The Dynamo hubs have been helpful but the charge controllers have issues that we'll save for another time. I've got to say though after 6-8 hours in the saddle there nothing sexier then John navigating right to the supermarket in a busy city.
If you see a person touring on their bike slow down, give them some room, maybe some local color and a salute of your choosing. We are off to skeeter land Minnesota and are trying to go off the Adventure Cycling maps for a bit, hopefully we find our way! Can you really be lost if you don't care where you are? Kate and John
PS Dinner tonight was romaine lettuce w/ ranch and microwave lasagna! We're in a hotel!!