September 22, 2016 – Sun, 95 degrees

Miles Today: 83

Miles to Date: 16,742

States to Date: 45

There is a moment in the morning when the sun, flat across the top of the grass, rises a notch and floods the landscape with brilliant light.

This area is known as Post Rock. Early settlers mined limestone, broke it across the weak shear plane, then drilled a line of holes through the slab and broke it into fence posts. There are few trees here today, but there were none when the homesteaders arrived.

Before harvest the sunflowers are too heavy to trace the sun. They bow, seed-laden, to the east.

Every Kansas town touts its athletic prowess. I have not seen comparable academic pride.

Acadians settled Damar, KS and built St. Joseph’s Church, which towers above the prairie. The text of the prayer, ‘Hail Mary’ is on a series of small signs along the highway before you enter town.

Western Hills Motel in Hill City is one of the last, great roadside motels. To my reckoning, only three guys in pick-ups and one cyclist stayed here on this Thursday night. At $40 a room, the place may not be long for a world where chains rule. However, Las Canteras Mexican Grill down US 24 was packed, and for good reason. Best carnitas I’ve ever tasted.