Fully rested I rolled away from Gordon on the Cowboy Trail, looking forward to a quiet ride along it to Valentine. But at the city limits it died and faded away to an overgrown grassy mess. So I diverted to the next road crossing and it was barely visible. So i went back to US 20 again. It still had a good shoulder and the wind was high but from the north-northwest so not totally bad news as I was mostly going due east. The day was pretty warm at around 55 degrees right away and the wind wasn't as cold and biting as I thought it would be. The cloud cover was a pleasant relief from constant blazing sun. With no chance of rain in the forecast I wasn't worried. The first town on the day of Merriman had a tiny store and not much else, but I had plenty and no need for a break so I rolled on. I made great time to the next few towns but didn't stop other than to shed clothing or to pee. I barely used any water which was so surprising because of just how hot it was before I arrived in Gordon. My only real complaint of the day was the large cracks in the pavement, especially on the shoulder. The traffic most of the day was really light so sometimes I rode in the middle of my lane because it was so much faster and more comfortable. I could hear anyone coming a long way off. The scenery was all gently rolling sandhills covered in greenish brown grass and lots of cows. I saw a skunk cross the road in front of me. At length I arrived at the Central time zone, just before Valentine. I rolled into the outskirts at a good hour and was looking forward to getting to a store and camp soon. But light rain fell and I quickly found a little shelter on the Cowboy Trail, then went to Subway to wait it out a bit and eat a sandwich. It passed quickly, and I grabbed a couple snacks at a DG and then rode to the city park and campground. Can't beat it, only 5$ and it's pretty wind sheltered by some low hills and has lots of trees. I'm set up right beside Minnechaduza creek which is kinda pretty and has decent flow. Underneath several mature white oak. Nowhere near a main road, and if the locals will just stop driving around the park loop it should be silent.