July 18 - Wichita, KS to Pittsburg, KS

Gloria

I woke up today feeling stiff, sore, and bruised, but very happy to be alive.  Me and the gang headed over to the Panera for breakfast and had a strategy session on how to get out of Wichita.  We emailed, texted and made phone calls without much success.  Until Jayden called Kelley (the volunteer fireman from Sunday).  Kelley told Jayden that he could help us out but it wouldn't be until the afternoon.  I went up to our hotel room to pack.  I was not there more than 5 minutes before Eric called and said, "Can you be ready by 10:45?  A Wichita Rotarian has agreed to take us to Pittsburg."  Yay!  

Eric Eakins from Wichita Rotary drove us to Pittsburg (over 150 miles).  He had a trailer on the back of his truck that fit all our bikes.  Our panniers fit in the back of his truck.  We were ecstatic!

As we rode, we learned a lot about Eric and his family.  He owns a company that designs and builds computer controlled equipment for processing functions.  His wife is on the Wichita school board.  They have one biological son and one adopted son.  They have lived in the Wichita area for several years and love it!

We arrived in Pittsburg around 2:30.  We checked into our hotel rooms, then went to get lunch.  While at lunch we discussed rental car options before calling Enterprise to reserve a car.  Since I don't know how much biking I can do, I would like to have a car in case I need it.  

After lunch, I went into the hot tub.  It felt so good.  I also walked around the pool a bit.  That also felt good.  Hopefully it will soothe my aching muscles.

While I was in the hot tub, I talked to a lady named Lindsey, who told me she was a pilot.  It was interesting hearing about her job.  The state agency that she works for oversees all air traffic in Kansas, including drones.  She told me that Wichita, Kansas has plants that make 73% of all the aircraft in the world.  I found that amazing!

For dinner, we went to El Charro Mexican restaurant.  Since it was to be Jayden's last night with us, we toasted and wished him safe travels.  We will miss having him with us.  Good luck, Jayden!

Even after the accident, I am still impressed with the kindness of people in Kansas, especially Eric Eakins.  Thanks again, Eric.   Life is great!

Postscript: If you are moved by this demonstration of kindness shown by a Rotarian, please consider sending them a donation.  They have lots of programs that help people locally, nationally and internationally.  You can find them at this link:
https://www.rotary.org/en