July 3-4
Time of departure: 7:01 A.M.
Temperature: 2836 degrees
Elevation: 432 feet
Total Mileage: 260
“Holy crap!” I yelled, as the fussy, bitchy ball of feathers shot above my helmet.
Meredith and I left Liberal, KS heading west on roads set up on north-south, east-west grids. The fields of wheat seemed never ending. Within those fields were thousands of pheasants. We’d ride down the road and could see birds all over the road, along with more rabbits, cottontail and jack, than I’d ever seen.
I can see how hunting these birds is fun. Most would not fly until we were 
right on them. Hens and chicks were the most numerous. The chicks, by the way, are the most ungainly birds.
We were lucky with the weather. The morning began with, possibly, the heaviest fog we’d ever seen. It wasn’t heavy in the respect that we couldn’t see far, but heavy in that it condensed on everything, enough for water to roll down our goggles like it was raining. Luckily it didn’t last long and the sun came in full force.
It was a good morning, cruising on arrow straight roads, always watching wildlife.
Mid-morning we reached the town of Boise City, OK, pronounced “boys city.” It was too early for lunch, so we purchased food to eat on the trail.
We had ridden almost out of the west end of the panhandle of Oklahoma. Soon we passed into New Mexico.
The geography changed, as if someone had flipped a switch. Now, rolling, broken, prairie became the dominant sight. The moisture level is higher this year than the last. The green was very abundant.
The wildlife changed to pronghorn antelope. The babies were born in May. There were many to 
see.
We rode through green, broken country for the afternoon.
Late in the day, we came to Trinidad, CO, our destination.
We pulled into Valcom Motorsports to have our tires changed. An hour later we were in the motel.
We’ve spent the 4th of July resting and preparing for tomorrows ride. We’re transitioning into the second half of our ride. The land is different. The people are different. We’re in a different country.
Dad is arriving soon. It will be fun to have another rider along.
See y’all down the trail.
Ron and Meredith
