Day 34, Eads to Olney Springs, 70 miles

I hope we're not jinxing ourselves by treating today as 'done n dusted', but this is our first blog entry written before the day is through... Taking advantage of library wi-fi 11 miles before we reach our destination for the day, where a park and not much else awaits us.

We had a respectfully early start, spurred by the proximity of a coffee-serving gas station. On my way for coffee, I did a 'jezus' doubletake as I mosied sleepily towards a snake! Thankfully/tragically, it was dead. I didn't scrutinise beyond ascertaining it was not moving and obviously in serpent heaven. However once I returned to our tent with buckets of coffee (god bless America)-I told Matt of my snake sighting and he shot off like a rat up a drain-pipe. Presumably to poke it with a stick; camera in hand. As I write this (in a library)-Matt is rifling through 'Dangerous Animals' books to I.D said snake. 

We hit the road, and realised we're not in Kansas anymore (Toto). No agriculture we could see; just a flat expanse of grassy plains. You can see so far in all directions it feels like you're observing the curvature of the earth! We were plagued by a headwind, so while we were cycling with the same fervour as yesterday, we were barely breaking 10mph (rather than 17). 

It was obvious Matt had been in charge of todays' playlist; what other DJ would drop the extended version of  the 'Indiana Jones' Score, then follow it with Meatloafs' Bat out of Hell. Both songs were laughably appropriate, as we passed nothing but abandoned rail tracks and blistered plains at the time.

In the heat and unchanging landscape, I started eagerly awaiting 'Sugar City' which lay on our route. Perhaps it was delirium or boredom, but I found myself anticipating the way Homer imagines 'Germany; the Land of Chocolate'; edible chocolate dogs and buildings. Crushingly, Sugar City was another of those 'blink n you'll miss it' dusty towns. It smelled of manure and the only soul we saw was a confused cyclist, on his way to Pueblo. He optimistically pedalled off to find signs of life, while we cycled a further 5 miles to Ordway (where we now sit).

Its' great to sit out the afternoon heat and enjoy free wi-fi, but we will shortly ride another 11 miles to Olney Springs. Our cycle map informs us that camping is permitted in the 'city' park, which has no restrooms. 'Restrooms are available when restaurant is open'. That would be 'the' restaurant; no further details required. So we're expecting an early night (!) and an early start out on the road tommorrow, bound for the bright lights and big city of Pueblo. We have scheduled a short ride (its' about 40 miles from Olney Springs to Pueblo) as its' after that metropolis that our work really starts; namely the Rockies. No doubt Matt will get some Rocky classics on the ipod in anticipation (heres' hoping!)

ED: The snake was a Corn Snake (not venemous; a constrictor.)