day 40, Eureka, KS 66 miles (1766 total)

Rolled out of Chanute after eating breakfast at "the grain bin", the morning hotspot. High clouds kept the heat down but the wind swung around from the south, and so we lost the added boost of a tailwind.

Mid-morning we rolled into downtown Toronto, pop. 312, where the banner across the street proclaimed the upcoming annual "Toronto days" to start tomorrow. There we found Gill, another west-bound cyclist, resting in the shade of the storefronts. We had met Gill the day before in Chanute, and he had kindly invited us into his motel room for a dose of AC and a beer. No sooner had we pulled over, when out of the Senior Center from across the street came Jean Marie to invite us all in for refreshments. The morning coffee social was just adjourning, but not before we answered lots of questions about our travels. We also got a complete rundown of the program of events on the eve of "Toronto Days", including the parade which Jean Marie estimated would take four minutes. Between that and the thought of missing the Big Breakfast, Burger Feed, Ice cream social, Mud tug- of-war, and Mud Races, (not to mention the fireworks), we had a hard time getting back on the road to finish the ride to Eureka. Gill decided to stick around, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's made the honorary marshall of the parade - they reallyrolled out the welcoming mat for us.

Just before Eureka, we entered the "Flint Hills", one of the biggest cattle grazing areas on the plains, where native grasses finish the cattle before they head to the stockyards. We have no issues with these "hills"!

After the chocolate shake and healthy salad and the Sonic Drive-In (no luck hanging the tray on the bike), we checked in at the adequate Bluestem Motel, yes, pool included.