Day 19 (5/11/22): OK is o.k.?

Start:                                Shamrock, TX

End:                                  Clinton, OK

Mileage:                          87 miles

Elevation Gain:                2,564 feet

The following is childish and petty.  I have no excuse.

The date was January 1, 1986.  The place was the Orange Bowl in Miami.  At stake was the national championship between Penn State and Oklahoma.  My very good friend Keith and I went to the game.  I was a senior.  He had graduated a year earlier.  Oklahoma owned us.  25-10.  I’ve gotten so much better about not allowing my emotional state to be tied to the performance of the Nittany Lions over the past decade, but this one still hurts.  We were there.  We wanted to see our team win it all, and the game was just awful.

I had fully expected to avoid Oklahoma for the rest of my life (this is the childish and petty part).  I’d be good with getting to 49 states and missing Oklahoma.  Actually, I saw that as a badge of honor as a Nittany Lion. 

And then I pedaled into the state this morning.  Other than the coyote who seemed to be lying in wait for me at the border with Texas and the 5 dogs who chased me immediately after entering the state (you think they knew I was coming?), I found the ride through this portion of Oklahoma to be quite lovely.  It’s almost as if they turned the water on at the Texas border and everything turned green when you passed into Oklahoma.  I so very much wanted to hate it, but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the rest of the trip through the state.  (Sorry Keith.)

It was a tough ride though.  87 miles is a chore, and there was a little more elevation than I was banking on.  The weather was decent, and the winds cooperated for the most part.  Just a long day. 

As I was getting toward the TX/OK border I was lamenting not having run into more bikepackers, and within about 5 minutes, I met up with Bryan from Wilmington, NC (see accompanying picture).  He started on March 29 and is headed to Los Angeles and then back to NC—on bike.  There’s always someone tougher than you.  Just get used to it and admire their accomplishments.  We chatted for about 40 minutes.  Given his East-West route, he’s had a much bigger problem with the winds.  I was as gentle as I could be but it’s only going to get tougher for him.  I was able to give him some tips on the portion of the Route 66 route I’ve completed.  Hopefully, it was helpful.

I’ve been amazed at the number of swallows that nest in the underpasses of the interstates in TX and OK.  They abandon their nests when disturbed.  I came across one group today, and there were hundreds.  It was getting towards the end of the day, and I was beat, so I didn’t pull the camera, but it’s quite the site to see that many birds flying in front of you.  Hopefully, I’ll have a similar experience tomorrow earlier in the day when I have more energy.

One personal hygiene note you may find repulsive, but since it’s my blog… I forgot my shampoo at the Shamrock hotel and tonight’s accommodations only supplies soap (I go on the cheap when I’m on my own), so I had to pleasure of washing my hair with soap.  Eeewwww!

What am I Thankful for Today

Speaking of Keith…  We’ve remained very close since Penn State.  He was in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego when we moved to America’s Finest City in 1986, so we both welcomed a connection from Happy Valley.  I was so proud when he asked me to be his best man when he married Michelle and have been so fortunate we’ve remained close to this day.  He’s moved around California a bit, but we’ve stayed very close via weekly calls during which we solve the world’s problems, hundreds of texts during Penn State games where we solve the team’s problems, multiple bowl trips (ill-fated Orange, 2 Fiesta, 1 Cotton, 3 Rose, and 1 Holiday), frequent visits (Michelle, Alex, and Keith are in L.A.), and multiple trips together including Lexie’s graduation and wedding.  Keith has been incredibly supportive of my ride and is also planning to meet us in Minneapolis on our way back to see a Twins game.  That’s one good friend.  I admire Keith’s perseverance, loyalty, values, logic, and sense of humor.  I’m fortunate to call him one of my best friends.