Day 37

67 Miles
I was up early and in town ready to buy breakfast and supplies early. I headed out of town by 9 am. The ride was mostly flat. And I had yet to encounter any ferocious winds that I had heard so much about prior to arriving in North Dakota. I didn't have any cell service until midday. I stopped in a cute little town and did laundry and checked in with family and friends. I washed my sleeping bag. It was smelling kind of skanky. Actually, I was beginning to smell a bit skanky myself. It'd been a few days since I had showered. I chatted with a lovely woman while doing laundry. She told me of the area and how it was home to her. I told her of New York and Pennsylvania and its hills and trees. She said she always wanted to see it. I recommended she do so in the fall. She went on and on about how it was so great that I was traveling and how I should do as much as I could while I was young. I let her think I was young. I knew she was probably only a few years older than me. It seemed easier to let her think it. Although, I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed being mistaken for a young college student on summer break.
I looked into several towns to camp for the night. They were mostly deserted and I didn't find anyone to ask about camping. I kept on until I found a dam recreation area. I had the place to myself. I set up and ate dinner.
A family showed up and was fishing at the dam about an hour before sun set. The three young children came up to me and talked my ear off. I didn't mind. Although when the little boy used half my bug spray on his shirt and moved my bike mirror around, I wasn't entirely impressed. But mostly I didn't mind their curiosity or conversation. Before leaving. the children's mother sent each of them over to me with a little snack. I thanked them and waved goodbye.
I didn't have cell service again. That was probably okay though, I didn't have an outlet to charge my phone either.I passed out as soon as the sun was fully set.