Day 33: Seneca, KS to Washington, KS. (53.9 miles)
Today’s ride had two options – a more direct ride to Washington on a busier road with a large shoulder (50+ miles) or a more scenic, rural route (70+ miles). After multiple long distance days, the majority of the group, including me, took the shorter route. The ride was reasonably flat and scenic.
Marysville was a larger town, 26 miles from Seneca, and charming. It calls itself the “Black Squirrel” City, and 34 sculptures of squirrels dot the city. According to Bob at the Chamber of Commerce, around 1900 a circus came to town with a load of black squirrels. They escaped and the legend was born. While in Marysville, we visited Penny’s Diner for a 2nd cup of coffee. Leaving Marysville, I saw a group of women on motorcycles, asked if there was s rally, and told by the leader that the group was raising money for women veterans and going to Topeka, KS. I gave her a donation, she waved it to show the other riders, then hugged me, and I got a thumbs up from all the riders as they filed past! Pretty funny. The ride to Washington from Marysville was similar, but less traffic. Tonight we are staying in a city park in Washington. A corn hole set was purchased at the local Walmart, so evening entertainment for the next several weeks is all set! Incidentally, after fighting head winds and setting up camp in high winds, we went out to dinner at a Seneca Mexican restaurant. The change was welcome, and the food excellent. After dinner, I met John, and his son, Josh who were fishing Blue Creek near the campsite. We talked for awhile about many topics, and he pulled out a 5 lb flathead catfish, which he caught on a small live bluegill fished on the bottom. Fun!
Here’s a few “Kansas Wheat” facts I found in a local paper: Kansas is the largest wheat producing state, producing 20% of the US’s wheat. Kansas has 60,000 farmers, including 7,900 women (20,000 farmers grow wheat). Over the last 5 years, an average of 328 million of bushels of wheat are produced on 8.5 million acres.
Image above: Kansas silos
Sunrise at Bailey’s campground
Pony Express Monument, Marysville
Wind farm near Seneca
Rally to Topeka to raise money for female veterans
A black squirrel statue in Marysville
There’s no place like Home, Kansas
Kansas has embraced Oz
John, from Marysville, fishing in Blue Creek with a 5 lb flathead catfish
