Day 5: Blue Hill back to Doniphan 42 miles

WE DID IT!!! Yahoo, boo hoo! Really mixed feelings now. It was a really grueling 5 days, Peggy says it was REALLY hard, and I'm exhausted but after 5 days of challenges you bond with all the other riders and it's sad to see them go. I woke up at 4:45 to the sound of rain on the tent! Started taking the tent down in the rain at 5:15. Fortunately it wasn't a down pour. Had breakfast at the Community Center and we were on the road by 7:08 The rain had stopped and it was a little chilly at 61 but warmed up soon. Turned out to be a great day for cycling! The past two days we really didn't have much of a chance to enjoy the scenery...going into the wind had to keep.your head down and keep pushing the pedals...but today we got to enjoy the great Nebraska country side . Since we were only going 42 miles today we only stopped at one rest stop in Juniata then petal to the metal to get back to Doniphan.
It's been a special blessing to spend 5 days with cousin Peggy and Dale. Just remember Peggy, it was tough but you did what few others can say they did..it was an adventure of a life time! Item of note: the picture of the older guy from yesterdays post is Bill. He's one of the 78 year olds on the tour so hopefully I've got a few years left! Would I do it again? In heart beat!.....well maybe not next week ...but maybe next year! Rich and Susan Rodenburg really know how to put together a well organized fun tour! Thanks to them for all their hard work! ( I added a couple of pictures that didn't go with today's ride but got missed earlier.)