Thursday 16th August 2012 Laramie to Salina Kansas 576 miles.

Thursday 16^th August 2012    Laramie to Salina Kansas (check)  576 miles.

What heat wave!!!!?. At 0700 this morning it was in the low 40s, with fog or low cloud, and that did not include the 20mph wind chill factor. So zip up all the suit vents, find the fleece and thick Gerbing gloves, and away we go. If I had my Gerbing jacket with me I would have plugged it in. The sun never even hinted at showing until about 11AM, and then it slowly warmed up, so by about 1PM it was quite pleasant. The bike oil temperature was running 30-40 degrees cooler than yesterday afternoon.
Continuing east on I80 into Nebraska, the scenery was much the same burnt earth, and except where farmers had irrigation systems the crops were beaten up. However, at about North Platte, one suddenly noticed things were green, even the grass alongside the road. It stayed that way for the rest of the day, even down into Kansas. Obviously the more eastern part of some states had had some rain. I gassed up at Sydney Nebraska, and paid homage to Mecca, Cabelas’ Head Office.

At US183, I headed south into Kansas. My original plan had been to take US36 east, but decided, for better or worse, to head further south to pick up I70. I wasn’t sure of the weather, some storms had been forecast, and thought there was more chance of sanctuary there. I need to pick up I70 later tomorrow anyway to head towards Kentucky.
Around Ellsworth was the largest wind farm I have ever seen. Literally hundreds of windmills, covering  both sides of the highway for at least 10 miles. It was an amazing sight. Interestingly,  those on the north side were turning, those on the south side were not. I guess they had been set up that way to be directional. With that many they could cover the points of the compass.
Again, many miles of road works, both resurfacing and relaying new concrete. They certainly have put some effort and dollars into the highways since leaving Oregon. Olympia take note.

Once out of Wyoming, most of the day's scenery was mostly looking at corn, some other crops, and a few cattle ranches. Not much to report there, and nothing really scenic. Wyoming itself, certainly the southern part, is just a wide open space, and hard work riding with the wind. Right now it is mainly a single color, brown.

Tomorrow I continue east, into Missouri, and Kentucky.