Tag Archives: trail Angel

Newton, KS

stayed at a house,
Downtown Hutchinson, with the Parade approaching down the street. Notice that a price is posted for “regular” gas – which meant leaded. Cars that took unleaded gas were just coming into use, and it was slightly more expensive.

The next day was Emancipation Day — something which I had never heard of in California. I watched a parade of mostly black people, marching jubilantly in the hot sun! Their endurance was amazing.

Smiles undaunted by the heat! Reminded me of my high school days in Kalani Marching Band in Hawaii.

I found Harley’s Bike Shop, which was a REAL bike shop. With great pleasure, I replaced both my tires with the proper 700 X 28’s. Les, one of the guys at the bike shop, mentioned that he was going to be vacationing in Hawaii, so I gave him some tips. I also gave him my useless 700 X 20 tire. He gave me a free T-shirt.

It was clear that I wasn’t going to go very far that day, so I decided to also visit the Cosmosphere in town. Outside this space museum, it was hot and muggy, but inside, it was dark and cool. There was no admission fee. I found out how astronauts go to the bathroom on the moon. They shit in their pants, literally.

I had a late lunch at the Golden Dragon restaurant in town. Garlic shrimp and a bottomless iced tea were $4.80. It was surprisingly good!

Chinese food in the heartland was not common in those days.

Finally, I picked up $120 from the autoteller — enough to last me the 7-10 days it would take to get to Farmington, Missouri.

Most people had told me that Kansas was the friendliest state. I agreed. It was especially noticeable in the girls. Now, Kansas girls weren’t any better looking than anyone, but I thought they took better care of themselves. And their forwardness floored me. It wasn’t sexual; it was just considered being friendly. They’d come right up and start a conversation. The Beach Boys were right: the Midwest farmers’ daughters really did make you feel all right.

The day was short; I rode a mere 30 miles to Newton.

I had NO idea what this animal was. Only now did I submit it to Google for identification. It’s an American Badger.
Almost to Newton.
Sorry for all the dead animal pictures. This was the first wild turtle I’d seen on the ride. The only turtles I knew growing up were in the ocean.

Tons of people were gathering at the happenin’ spot in town, the local Dairy Queen. There was a parade that afternoon, but unlike parades that I had been accustomed to. Their idea of a parade was to have people sit in the back of their pickup trucks and drive down main street. Many vehicles weren’t even decorated. I’d seen better displays in Saturday night cruising in Santa Clara.

The hot spot in Newton, KS.
Their parade.

As I was watching, Dwight Beckham walked up to me and offered his house. I accepted, of course.

His house turned out to be a registered historic place, built over a hundred years ago with square nails. His wife, Helen, looked like Glenn Close. We had steak, bread, cantaloupe, and fresh corn for dinner. I had 3 or 4 ears of corn, and another one the next morning.

June Chapman (Helen’s mother), Helen and Dwight Beckham.

I found out that Helen was a schoolteacher who ran marathons. She once trained with her 2nd grade class, and everyone ran. Dwight was a retired band director and trumpet player. The two had met in high school because he was 1st chair trumpet, and she was last chair clarinet.

those are adjacent chairs…

Dwight and Helen were also cyclists, and had ridden from Kansas to Virginia. They let me take a shower, do my laundry, and went over the upcoming maps with me. Such hospitality!