Thank you for the compliments, Jeff.

I've really enjoyed reading your journal of this trip!

It's too bad about the super-high temperatures you've had, but luckily you're a tough guy who can handle them with ease.

I know Minnesota's rundown buildings can't match some of the photos in your tours through Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and many other states. I still acknowledge your influence though, and I really appreciate your comments.

Yeah, I'm not seeing it.

;)

"Wouldn't it be nice if motels had a policy that if no rooms were available, they must allow a cyclist to camp in its back yard."

Haha! That's one of the (very, very many) random thoughts I've had while bike touring.

Another one: Post Offices. They are in even the tiniest villages. It would be great to be able to, uh, exploit their ubiquity and camp outside (or even inside!) without fear of arrest.

So true, so true.

I know! I tell people all the time about how cool I am. Thank you, Mark.

I didn't notice the purpleness at the time, but now I see it. Yes, Prince's song is the only reasonable explanation I can think of for it.

I need to find that short story, because it really does sound so similar. Thanks for telling me about it.

A good friend of mine had to be transported to the emergency room after such a sting. He said he struggled back to his house and looked into the mirror and saw his head had blown up like a balloon. He dialed 911. Now he carries a medical kit in case something like that should happen again.

I remember the color in my crayon box being called "Flesh." Still a pretty ethnocentric name, though.

I’ve heard bee excretions are the secret ingredient in all the best wines.

You beat the heat because you're such a cool dude!

Must be from that Minnesota 'purple rain'

The most purple road I've ever seen.