Day 39, Chanute, KS 62 miles

After "sleeping in" until 6:30, we feasted on the world's best continental breakfast at the Lamplighter Inn before leaving Pittsburg. The flags were still blowing due west as we headed out of town under sunny skies and ideal temps. In Girard, we stopped and picked up a care package our son Zachary had sent us: gatorade powder, butt butter, toiletries, and a new set of chains. When in Carbondale, Ill., I had the bike shop mechanic check the chains for stretch. they were getting close to the need of replacement then and I'm sure that the hills of the Ozarks have stretched them more. I'll change them tonight at the campground.

In Walnut, we stopped for the chocolate milk break, where the cashier informed us that our route up ahead was ripped up for 4 miles. We detoured to the north after a cheddar cheese-on-a-hoagie roll picnic lunch at the site of an old Indian school. We arrived in Chanute shortly after noon, and while I'm typing this at the city library, Stephanie is next door visiting the "Safari" museum. Later we plan on checking out the visitor's center (housed in the restored Train Station) and searching for a burger and chocolate shake. Then we'll set up camp and relax at the city campground on the other side of town, where we hear they have a pool!

The Kansas highway signs supposedly have a yellow sunflower around the route number (it's nickname is the "sunflower state" - haven't seen any yet), but upon careful inspection, we have determined it is actually a 52-tooth golden chainring, reminding the west-bound touring cyclists that yes, you do have one down there on your crank and in this state you can actually use it!