The day a butterfly crashed Dan:

Yep, it was a swallowtail with evil intentions. Maybe he was just playing...

I'm in this library in Jeff City and I think I really smell. I should type fast and go outside to relieve people of this stench. Sorry public computer users!

So yes, today we learned to NEVER GO INTO A CITY! We got a later start than we had wanted, but we were making good time. We decided to take the "Jefferson City option" at around 2, with the intention of filling out bottles and getting a bite. Oops. The bridge was scary. I've had a horrible bridge experience in Coos Bay, Oregon, and I did not want to relive it. This bridge had three lanes though, so it was safe to ride across I guess.. While I was outside waiting for Dan while he updated the blog, I made conversation with a library patron, who informed me that there is a bike lane on the other side of the bridge. Now I am no longer dreading tomorrow morning!

If we didn't detour to Jefferson City, Dan's saddle would have been saggy and he might have had some problems, so it's a good thing we came by and learned a thing or two from Mark at the bike shop. After our lunch, we were heading out of the city when I saw a park on my right. Some cyclists were congregating so we turned into the parking lot and struck up a conversation with Sandy and Mitch, who offered us a place to stay. He mentioned BBQ and hot showers, and even says we have to be out of the house by 7 when he goes to work in the morning. Perfect! We are waiting for him at the library now.

Everyone is really nice so far. Some guy leaned out his window in the middle of Jeff City and asked us if we needed help finding someplace. Dan and I just need to practice our routine of setting up and taking down camp, and we'll be all set. It's fun.

Tomorrow we will probably go back to the Katy Trail rather than continue on the road option, because the local cyclists tell us that the road is pretty twisty and there is no shoulder. At night we hope to meet Roz and the Lonnies somewhere. Should be a good time!