Before leaving St. Louis, I listened to the advice of a local and took Hwy 94 that ran North of the Missouri River. After taking this route I realized that the wise local's directions were for someone on a motorcycle, not a bicycle. I went a little over twenty miles across some flat fields and farms with a gusting headwind of at least 20mph which kept me at a grueling 9mph on my bicycle. After slowly making past the flat lands, I re-entered the Ozarks and had some of the steepest climbs that can safely exist for any vehicle. I had shifted into my highest gear and I still almost had to get off and push my bike. They were truly brutal climbs which quickly turned into super fast and dangerous decents. I hit a top speed of around 38 mph, and had to work my brakes just to keep in control. It was obvious that hwy 94 was the scenic route. I camped out at a checkpoint along the Katy Trail, which is a long hiking and cycling trail that used to be a railroad, after an 82 mile ride. The mosquitoes in this very rural central Missouri area were ridiculous. I was quite literally under siege by a few hundred of these blood suckers after I entered my tent for the first time. I didn't even get out to use the bathroom during the night because simply opening the door flap would have inundated me with mosquitoes.

The next day I had a short leg of around 40 miles to reach Jefferson City, one of the smallest state capitals in America. I made it to "Jeff City" around lunch and spent the entire afternoon hanging out in a Panera Bread Company using their wireless internet and eating some delicious food. That night I cycled out of town about six miles to the West to Binder State Park where I set up camp. The next day I went back into town and spoke to the Jefferson City Rotary club and met several very nice people. One man in particular, David Turner, sat next to me offered to host me for that evening instead of me having to camp again. So I went and stayed at the Turner's beautiful big house, and they took me out for an awesome steak dinner. The following day the weather service was calling for afternoon and evening thunderstorms, and since my next destination was a state park over 80 miles away, I decided to hang out in Jeff City for one more day instead of riding into bad weather and having to set up camp in a downpour. That day turned out to be beautiful and we hung out at the country club pool. When the clouds rolled in that afternoon we went to a county sheriff's bbq, then to the oldest bar (Irish pub) West of the Mississippi River for a few pints with the Turner's friends.

I awoke the next day to a cold, windy and rainy morning that was predicted to clear up in the afternoon. I cycled 81 miles to Knob Noster State Park and prepared my tent for the night. That evening I was stealth attacked by a few ninja like raccoons. I was woken several times by the sound of my trailer being broken into and pillaged by the furry bandits. By morning I was packed up and ready to head on to Kansas City with a slightly lighter trailer in  tow. They managed to make off with my Gatorade powder, and some Powerbars. They even pulled out the Ziplock baggy with my Nigerien jewelry and tried to chew up the leather. It was a frustrating evening to say the least.

I arrived in Kansas City around 4 o'clock on Thursday after cycling 76 miles. Nate, Piper's fiance in St. Louis, hooked me up with his college friend in KC and I am again lucky enough to have a host. That evening my hosts played in an intramural beach volleyball league and invited me along. My legs were very tired, but it was a lot of fun doing a sport/activity that wasn't cycling. Friday morning I woke up super early and got a ride from Tom, my host, to the KC Plaza Rotary club's breakfast meeting. It was a very good meeting and a very generous club. I took my time cycling back "home" from the meeting through town and stopped at a Chic Fila for some food along the way. Soon after I got back to my host's house I received a phone call from a woman who was the wife of a man that I had met in the Chic Fila. She asked if I would be interested in coming to speak with her kids camp/daycare about my time in West Africa and my bike trip. I, of course, agreed and met her and all the kids at a local church gymnasium where they were playing. I spoke to around 25 six to eight year olds, and had a good time answering their questions. That afternoon my hosts left to attend a wedding in St. Louis and allowed me to house sit for them for the weekend. One of the Rotarians I met that morning had invited me to his house for some home cooked pizza and it was delicious. I am constantly thankful for the kindness shown to me by complete strangers. Saturday I slept late, then went to see the new movie, The Hangover, before meeting up with one of the volleyball teammates from Thursday night and a bunch of her friends. The movie was hilarious and the night was loads of fun. I got to meet even more really sweet and cool people. Today, I'm am wrapping up "chores" and preparing to set out across Kansas. I head out to Topeka tomorrow where one of the people I met here in KC has connected me with a friend for a place to stay. This next week and a half are going to be some of the most unenjoyable days on this whole trip so far. Kansas, with it's endless farm fields with no tree and strong NNW winds will make cycling more work than play. But soon I will be in Denver, past half way of my total distance and be able to rest with friends for a spell. So far I've gone a little over 2,300 miles and have around 3,600 more to go. After tomorrow I will have visited five state capitals and seven states. It's been a blast so far, and I'm truly thankful for all the amazing people that I've met and for all the support I've received along the way.