Crossed into mountain time zone and then Colorado just before noon. We left @ 4:55 this morning to beat much of the heat & wind. Because it was very warm in the athletic center, and today’s heat forecast, I made the mistake packing my warm layers in the pick up even tho I looked at the current temp (!), and froze until 7:30. Froze! We came through one town large enough to have a grocery store, and thankfully they opened early. It was 7 AM at Tribune, KS. I stopped for some fruit for my pack, and the lady that checked me out, if you can believe it, was born in the same hospital as I was in Lebanon, OR. Her name was Sandra Scheler, born in 1948. Then, a sweet mother & daughter stopped & offered to take our picture at the Colorado sign. Erin and Emily. When they left, a family stopped so I thought they might like their pictures taken and when we met I read the mom’s shirt which started a conversation & introductions. Crazy small world, she is close friends with Eric & Paula from Jefferson Baptist which everyone in our riding group knows well. The dad prayed for our team, I took lots of pictures, lots of hugs, it was amazing. A short 12 more miles and we arrived at the church hostel here just as they were finishing their morning service. Sooo nice getting here early. We didn’t get to settle in because they have their VBS program and a BBQ tonight which they invited us to join, and are setting up for it now. But we had quiet time to wash up, repack gear, change Kathy‘s front tire, get things charging, a few took naps, etc. I am looking forward to this evening, and think I will go see what I can do to help. Another amazing day. I am enjoying the warm, dry weather and relatively flat, straight road, even with the head winds. I know it will change soon enough!! We stayed on one straight road all day, doesn’t it look innocent?! (As innocent as 83 mi can be.) The joke this morning was to see who could get lost. 😁 Oh! I had a beautiful antelope run across the road just in front of me. I stopped & tried so hard to grab my phone that I dropped my bike🤭, but I got a few shots & video. So graceful! Will add pictures of the evening before I send this. Wow, what a day. Love, Terri Sweet program, great people, home cooking! And a news flash… 30 mph winds forecast for tomorrow and the farmers here confirmed it. I just went out to get something from my bike and was pressing against the wind, also lightning. It came up in an instant. I think the gusts will be 50 to 60. There’s just no sense in trying to ride in that kind of wind. I am crazy excited about having tomorrow off!! Sweet dreams!💕