Judy Grillo
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener

Home, Home on the Range

6/18/2018

4 Comments

 
It's been an interesting 10 days in Kansas as I make my way on a schedule to Nebraska. While planning my route, I chose two stops for very different reasons. The first, El Dorado, because it had a 12-mile lake with state park camping in the the Flint Hills region. While the park is scenic, and the people are kind, the lake is more accessible to boats and fishing than to people. I really didn't spend any time there, with the exception of cycling the perimeter. 

El Dorado feels like it's trying hard to maintain its' main street, has some interesting architecture, but culturally I just didn't quite get it. Lo and behold, on my third day, I discovered that the biggest employer is just south of the city -- an oil refinery. Duh. El Dorado is also home to the Kansas Oil Museum. I never quite sat comfortably here, and was ready to roll after five days. 

My next stop, Marysville, was selected for two very good reasons -- the first, a 12-mile rail-to-trail that connects to total 68-miles in length, and runs to Lincoln, Nebraska. The other is its' link to the Pony Express! Marysville was the first home station out of St. Joseph, Missouri going west. Situated on the Big Blue River, it was also an important crossing point for the Oregon and California Trails. 

Marysville did not disappoint (as you'll see in the photos!), and the people are as friendly as can be. What I didn't know before arriving is that it's known as the "Black Squirrel City". The tale is that in the early 1900's, a carnival came to town and brought two black squirrels – one male and one female, and a small boy let them out. They've been here ever since. I did see many black squirrels running by my tent (in the city park), but you can also see the 21 "Black Squirrels on Parade" (made of fiberglass) throughout town. 

In the early morning, I head north to begin the 5-day Tour de Nebraska. The weather's looking very sketchy (rain, rain, rain) but I'm looking forward to my first cycling event in nearly a year. 
4 Comments
Barb
6/18/2018 11:17:21 pm

Hey J, finally catching up on my blog reading! Love your new tent and the black squirrels and feeling the love for those early pony express riders. Still hope we can catch each other over summer <3

Reply
Judy
6/25/2018 01:06:55 pm

Barb: Love that you're finding time to visit! I'm also enjoying my new tent more than expected -- very cocoon-ish. Working some today but hope to do some more travel planning & send you an update! J.

Reply
sue Tyler
6/19/2018 07:55:11 am

Hi Judy,
Glad to hear you are safe and storm free. Loving the blog and you are living the dream. Let me know how that Nebraska wind compares to the Delmarva! I am doing the Bay to Bay this weekend and I will be thinking of you as I ride. Happy travels.

Reply
Judy
6/25/2018 01:08:28 pm

Sue -- I'm so happy to hear from you! Hope the Bay to Bay was a sunny day; always loved that ride! Nebraska story coming soon as I may be MIA in South Dakota for a bit! Keep on pedaling ...j.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Author

    Cyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.