Wednesday, July 16, 2008 – Day 24

Start: Miller, South Dakota
End: De Smet, South Dakota
Miles: 85.91 Total Miles: 1,797.12 BRAA Total Miles: 1,686.70
Time: 5 hours 40 minutes (avg 15.1 MPH)
Flat tire count today: 0 Total flat tires for the ride: 6

We left camp this morning and it was pretty cool outside. We are starting to notice the changes in the weather now that we are east of the Missouri River. As we headed out on the road, we actually saw clouds for the first time. It looked like there was a little rain off in the distance. We still have not been rained on this entire trip. There was only the one day earlier on when we had some drizzle, but that has been it.

Along the side of the road, we ran across a turtle. It was a very ugly turtle as you can see from the picture. It was a big turtle – about one and a half feet long, but really ugly.

The most exciting part of the day for me was that it was Day 24! That is half way through the entire ride in days. Also, at about mile 40 today, we reached the official half way mark in miles for the ride. 1,650 miles completed and now that the ride is complete for the day, we have less than 1,650 miles to go.

When we arrived in De Smet, I realized that this town is the home town of Laura Ingals Wilder. I went and visited the area where their family home and their school house were. I also went to the cemetery where many of their family members have been laid to rest.

We are staying in the local park tonight and I like it. There are a lot of trees for shade, which helps it stay relatively cool. We just finished eating at a church down the street from the park. Delicious meal prepared by several people in the community. I am full and ready for a good night’s sleep.