Today was a relatively quick ride on major roads that were surprisingly quiet. Similar to yesterday, the weather forecast called for “scattered thunderstorms, some severe”. It rained overnight as a line of storms came through. However it was dry in the morning so I was on the road at sunrise to get going before any storms might come through.

I am not sure if it is just today or a transition to a new climate/region but today was a good example of different crops. In Iowa it seemed like corn and soy beans and soy beans and corn.

Today I still saw both soy beans and corn but not as often. Instead, I saw more alfalfa and also grass with beef cattle grazing. I also saw one field of sunflowers. As if I am getting to areas with slightly less moisture. This area already has a less humid climate than Omaha four days ago – https://weatherspark.com/compare/y/7270~9483/Comparison-of-the-Average-Weather-in-Platte-and-Omaha#

The road starting out. The rumble strips still have rain water from overnight. There was a nice shoulder until Lake Andes. After that a standard road but very little traffic so I could ride where it was smoothest and watch my mirror for the very occasional vehicle.

Lake Andes was a quick stop at 14 miles. These closure signs were confusing. If you go to the left (towards Pickstown) the road becomes closed for construction. If you go to the right, the road will be open past the immediate block.

Past the block and onto a 24 mile very quiet section of road.

One photo showing slightly new landscapes with mostly grass and rolling terrain. That water in the far distance is the Missouri River. This was about as clear as the clouds became today.

Sunflowers!

Grass along the highway has been mowed and gathered into giant round bales.

Another example of a new landscape. Still a field of corn, but followed by a grass field and beef cattle.

Geddes, population 252, still notes the football championship from 41 years ago. I also found the “next 3 exits” interesting. In the space of half a mile, there are three roads you can turn right on a cross road. I wouldn’t call them “exits”.

I turned into the wind for the last six miles to reach Platte. The town doesn’t have a traffic light but bill boards do refer to “past the 4-way stop” as a direction. A little over 1000 people in this town.

I also decided this is a good spot to take a rest day. Stronger headwinds as well as some rain if I decide to go early to get less wind.