North Platte, NE Grand Island, NE –– Omaha, NE Urbandale, IA

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Friday, October 9, 1998

This is Scot’s sixth week on the road.  He spent the morning at the Health Cycle to get more bike repairs done. He didn't get to leave Omaha until 1pm. He was worried he might not make it into Fremont before nightfall but the southeasterly winds helped him. He's camping at Fremont Lakes and there really is a lake. He heard movement in the shallow water and it was a fish about 15 inches long. For dinner, he found a variation to his macaroni and cheese dinner; instead of broccoli, he added yams. He's in a primitive campground but it's across from the RV campers so it's quite noisy, perhaps the noisiest of all campgrounds throughout this bike trip. The weather's been great but it might get cold by Sunday.

Saturday, October 10, 1998

"I'm in Schuyler, Nebraska having a Subway sandwich. The Platte river is just South, and I'm pedaling West on the Overland and Mormon trail under blue skies and a favorable wind. Very nice. My knees are feeling better today; Thursday night I could barely walk. Patty gave my legs a massage and recommended stopping riding if the pain continued. Whether the easy ride, favorable wind, Patty's massage, or just the warmth of Tom
and Patty's reception helped my knees out, something worked. Now I jut have to not abuse them. Tonight I'll be in Columbus, or perhaps a little a little farther. John, Kurt, my next opportunity for GPS data will be in Denver. I couldn't get the synch to work in Omaha. Martin, everyone, thanks for the help!"

It was only 3pm when Scot arrived Columbus. Since the next campsite is in Central City 33 miles away, Scot decided to stay at the Seven Knights Motel. He needed a shave and clean clothes. A night at a hotel allows him to make phone calls conveniently.

Sunday, October 11, 1998

At 200pm, he arrived Central City. The campsite there had been moved 11 miles away to Chapman. Good thing, he didn't shoot for Central City yesterday. The weather is holding up so he will try to get to Grand Island. He saw a Great Blue Heron flying above a cornfield. He thinks he saw an Iridium satellite flare. He watched it for 50 seconds until it disappeared. Scot made it to Grand Island at 5:00pm and is staying at the Relax Inn.

Scot's email to Martin: "With the seasons changing, I'm finishing my ride this year in Denver. In June of 2000 (or maybe sooner) I'll finish my postponed TransAm with a West to East ride across the Rockies. Now I want to get home so I can see Mr. Strait's cool maps!"