After two days of dodging tornadoes, we once more have the internet. Amazing how disconnected we've felt not being able to blog. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an avid blogger, but it's a good way to keep in touch.
We're starting with today and if there's time, we'll fill in some of our previous 48 hours.
After a horrendous night Monday (I'll explain later), we came to Sterling, Ks. What a charming town! There is a Christian college here with an enrollment of 700 - enough to invigorate the community without ruining it.
This is where we stayed last night and tonight. Prairie Garden B&B. - built in 1879 by a military big wig. The story is that he used to stand up in his cupola and watch what the Indians were doing on one side and the army on the other. The cupola blew off years ago and now there's a staircase to nowhere. The owners hope to rebuild it soon. After you hear about our Monday night experience, you'll understand why this is paradise. Even without our Monday experience, this place is fabulous! Very charming and run by Nancy and Hank.
Sitting on the front porch and letting our gourmet breakfast (fresh strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar, egg fritatta, little pieces of crispy sausage, and delicious muffins all prepared by Nancy) digest a little before starting our daily ride.
Have a look at the beautiful garden surrounding the house
Beautiful roses hanging over the fence
Hot pink peonies and pale pink iris.
Purple iris and lots of other flowers that I can't identify.
That little bay is where we sat for breakfast and were able to enjoy the garden at the same time.
This is Sterling College, built in 1882.
Our ride today was the best yet. Meet Pete. He is the ranger at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. It is a wet lands refuge and a stopping place for many different types of birds. Pete
is an expert on whooping cranes and has worked here for 27 years. He's retiring the end of the month. He told us that there are tagged cranes here that are as old as 32 years. They came to Kansas early this year. Pete told us that his fellow workers think they came early to tell him good bye. He almost cried when he told us. A very sweet man and married to the same woman for 43 years.
45 miles today. This was our destination - Quivira Wet Lands Refuge. We're getting stronger and able to go a little faster now. The wind is still a pain, but we're learning to work with it a little better now. Tomorrow you'll see the inside of the house and our previous days journeys. You may notice our mile tracker is a little different. Since we started at Ordway, CO instead of Pueblo, we subtracted out those miles. Can you tell we're a little weary? Miss you and love you!
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