August 26, 2024 – Onward to North Dakota

    My departure from Pierre went well. No runs, no drips, no errors (as my old Master electrician, Eddie Meredith says). Nothing too interesting has happened these past three days. I got some good mileage in leaving Pierre. I pedaled close to 90 miles, which got me about six miles outside of Akaska. Yesterday, I rode about 75 miles or so from Akaska to Pollock. And today, I have cruised about 60 miles from Pollock to Hazelton Recreation Area just off the shore of the Missouri River. With that amount of riding, I haven't had too much time to meet anyone or have any unique experiences. God is testing my will, patience, and determination today. Today, as I was riding, it rained nonstop on me for about 3.5 to 4 hours...A cold, drizzling, constant rain. I prayed to God and asked him to stop the rain. He did in his timing. Even though I felt kind of miserable pedaling in the rain, I was thankful as well. I was thankful because I was cool. On the flip side, if it wasn't raining the sun would be out, and I would be really hot and sweaty. I was also thankful that there wasn't a strong head wind like the day before from Akaska to Pollock. Lastly, I was thankful to be alive, to be able to go on this type of adventure, and to be experiencing life in the moment. Thank you Lord for this day! And God did answer my prayers. Now it is a beautiful, cool, yet sunny evening. I think I will walk down to the river and take some sunset photos. Lesson learned: always look to the bright side of life. Even though things may seem terrible at the time, praise God, and see what good there is with whatever circumstance or situation you are experiencing. For instance, right now, a bunch of biting flies are biting my legs. Thank God I have bug spray. Spraying some on now. Which reminds me, I need to buy more bug spray., and I need to buy a rain jacket. Heading to Walmart around lunchtime tomorrow. I'll be in Bismarck, ND by noon. God bless y'all.