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The thermometer did reach the promised 100 degree mark before we reached the finish line, but it wasn’t the temperature that had us flailing and fighting our way along the 50-mile loop.  It was the dreaded headwinds that faced us on the second half when our route made the turn southwards.  Unfortunately, the direction of the loop had us enjoying tailwinds in the early part of the ride, knowing that for each mile we were pedaling north of town we would have to face south winds coming back.  And, of course, the winds get stronger as the day progresses.

But we pushed onwards, taking advantage of every rest stop to get shade, food and water.  It wasn’t exactly record time and not worthy of the praises due the many riders who pedaled the full 100 miles.  But at the finish line everyone gets the medal, no questions asked about time or distance.

It was a long wait at the starting line because the 100-milers get to go first.

One of the stops was on Sheppard Air Force Base.

It looks like tomorrow’s bike ride in Wichita Falls, Texas, is going to live up to its name.  The temperature reading above was taken at 10:30 this morning in the trailhead parking area for the 6-mile hike we did at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  I felt sorry for the many hikers and bikers we saw just heading out on the trail.  We had already finished our hike by 10:30.  Yesterday afternoon when we arrived at the park we felt the brunt of the blistering Texas summer heat and knew that we’d have to start out early today if we wanted to make the walk to see the famous Lighthouse landmark.

The Lighthouse is a beautiful rock formation in the canyon and it’s not accessible by car.  You can see it through a telescope that’s set up in the Visitor Center, which is probably the only way a large majority of the hoards of people who visit this park have ever seen it.  I’m very thankful that we have the health and energy required to get up close and personal with natural wonders.  By the way, Lee wants to let Ruth know that if she had been on this trip the two of them would have climbed to the top. Ha!

Now we’re on the road to Wichita Falls, enjoying the air-conditioning in the car.  Miles of flat, northwest Texas landscape viewed from here makes me wonder even more that a place like Palo Duro could be in the same state.