Distance today = 52.99 km; Total distance = 6295.81 km; Location = Gering – 41 49.327′ N, 103 39.748′ W; Start time = 0929, Finish time = 1708

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/178910350

It’s Libby’s birthday today!!!! Woo hoo!!! So we began, of course, by presenting her with her gifts, balloon and all. Believe it or not, it’s her first ever birthday in Nebraska!!!

Then, for me, it was on to the road. It was a hot day, which caught me off guard a little. Like all hot days, one feels OK early on, but the heat wears you down over the course of a few hours. By lunch time, and with 28 km under my belt, I was struggling. The soreness of the past few days didn’t help either. Luckily, the sky clouded over by 3 pm, and the last couple of hours were more comfortable.

As you will see when the next video is uploaded, the late afternoon saw some real drama. I had stopped to walk briefly while I checked my position on the phone. Suddenly, just two metres in front of me on the shoulder of the road, a very angry snake was ready to strike. If I hadn’t looked up when I did, I would have stepped on it and been bitten for sure. I’m not sure which variety it was, but I’m guessing a sidewinder, and it was more than a metre long. I watched and filmed for a while, as it reared up at each car and truck that passed by just metres from it.

Tonight we’re out for Libby’s birthday, and perhaps some margaritas. Tune in tomorrow for the details.

I have checked the internet for T-Mobile reception regions, and it’s not looking good for the tracker over the next month or so. It looks like I’ll only be able to indicate my location at the end of each day via hotel wireless (and some of these will only be approximate when I finish elsewhere).