ME->CO Day 3, Kansas Capital

 The capital of Kansas is Topeka. The capital building is impressive. Stone first floor with dome. Large paintings and sculptures of Western scenes at the center of two of the floors. The house and Senate rooms are ornate with viewing balconies. There was a sign pointing to the tornado shelter which was interesting since the building was mostly stone. It seemed like the place to be in a tornado. There was also an open elevator which I rode just to see what it was like.

Made it to Limon CO today which is Eastern CO. Should be a short day tomorrow to make it to Fruita.

ME->CO Day 2, St Charles MO

 I am trying to get out for a walk each day in an interesting area. Hard to do with 700 mile drive days. Why don't I slow down and take a week to get out there? Good question. 

Today's destination was St Charles MO. There is a historic district near the Missouri River. Brick streets and some old buildings. Impressive area and more than I expected.

Full moon in the morning starting out. A lot nicer than what the camera captured.

ME -> CO Day 1, Erie PA

 Day 1: Got going at 5 AM on a Sat and had no traffic problems all day. 88 and 86 are still somewhat rough roads but much nicer area than 90 and they gave repaved some of the worst sections.

Stopped at Presque Island State Park at the end of the day. A peninsula that goes out into Lake Erie with some nice beaches. You can't see the other side of the lake and with the sand beach it appears that you are at the ocean.

Ocean Walk

 Mackworth Island: Trail around an island close to Portland. 

Broad Cove: Walk to ocean beach which was pretty long today as it was low tide.

Mt Pleasant, Bike Ride

 Still very dry and sunny every day. We went up Mt Pleasant today. High of maybe 60 today so nice hiking weather. This is the closest significant elevation hike to us. 1900 elevation gain and 5 miles round trip. There is usually a nice stream there... completely dry now.

The bike ride was the usual road bike from the house. Nice to get out road biking since it has been a while.

Some leaves turning but it will likely not be a good year. Too dry. A lot of leaves are just drying up and we saw some young pine trees on the hike that are brown and look dead from lack of water.

Bike ride:

Hike: