Day 13 - still at Seward, NE - Following the Ponca Trail - CycleBlaze

July 27, 2024

Day 13 - still at Seward, NE

I woke up on this "day to stay put" at 6:42am. A complimentary breakfast is served between 6:00am and 9:00am here at East Hills Inns & Suites. I headed to the breakfast area at 7:10am. The motel owner greeted me and asked what I wanted for breakfast, pointing toward the menu on the wall. I didn't read all the details on the menu that I should have ("Pick one", "Add one to it"), and ordered more than that. In fact I didn't notice what I'd done until the next morning, when I apologized. The owner (now chef) wasn't at all concerned, and I could tell she was happy to make as much as I was wanting to eat. It was served amazingly quick. Very good.

I started working on reports, taking a break just long enough to start a load of laundry at 9:45am, since machines are available here.

Around 5:15pm, I emptied the bike and took it outside. Some of the rear wheel non-drive side spokes seemed too loose. I ended up tightening seven of them. While outside I met a fellow, George, who asked if I was the bicyclist who was touring. The motel owner had told him about me, noting he'd have a hard time figuring who I was because I didn't wear bicycling clothes. George is a touring bicyclist, but at the moment is on his way to the Black Hills driving. He'd stayed here one time on a touring trip, and was here again because it's such a nice place. George rides a Trek 520, but knows about the Surly LHT, and why I am using it as a touring bike. He rides on the heavier side with lots of gear, just like I do. It was so much fun talking with him. I could relate to everything he mentioned about touring and bicycles. 

At 6:10pm, I headed off west on the bike for supper at Valentino's. I ordered a Dr Pepper, lasagna, and the salad bar. The lasagna was a huge serving, in a pan with a lid to take what was left over home. I tried, but I was only able to eat about two-thirds of what they'd served me.

I was done with supper at 7:28pm. Rode into town to see the sights. I got a better daylight picture of the movie theater in town. What I mainly wanted to see was the world's largest time capsule. There's a pyramid above ground, with a square room underground. It's big enough that they have whole cars inside! It's scheduled to be opened next year - 50 years after it was sealed. 

Back at the motel, I received a "catch up on news" phone call from my wife. I also got to talk to our older grandson. He had lots to share about his fun time on a trip with the family to the aquarium and zoo in St. Louis.

I completed and got posted reports for Days 10 and 11 before bed at 11:30pm. I really need to figure out how to do this part of touring better as I go.

Jeff

Spent: $102.15 plus $5 (motel room) + $2.50 (laundry) + $21.15 plus $4.23 (supper) = $135.03

sunrise picture, sort of
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East Hills Inns & Suites
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breakfast
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more breakfast
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George
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Valentino's
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too much!
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Stewart County Courthouse
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a better picture of the movie theater
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the world's largest time capsule
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No Parking on July 4th!
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Larry MitchellSeward, Nebraska with a sign pointing towards Seward, Alaska … passed that very sign in 1999 while heading east on a cross country tour. Unfortunately, that part of the tour ended 2 days later as the heat became unbearable and the 5th day of above 100 degree temperatures with high humidity finally got me. Believe I stayed in that same hotel. Enjoying the trip …
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4 months ago
Jeff TeelTo Larry MitchellLarry,
I can relate to heat and humidity - they're having some here now, though not as bad as you were experiencing. Sorry to hear that ended your tour. Were you able to get back to it another year?
Jeff
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4 months ago
Larry MitchellWe did in 2001. So all was good the end. Since then we have finished cycling all 50 states so that hot spell didn’t stop us.
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4 months ago
Jeff TeelTo Larry MitchellLarry,
Glad to hear it!
A lot of folks with trailers and motorhomes wish they could say they've done all 50 states.
Jeff
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4 months ago