Watering Holes

On Hwy. 36 in Colorado we had our largest stretches between towns and water sources, but now that we don't have our trailer where we can put extra water bottles, the stops between convenience stores often aren't enough to keep us hydrated. On our first day back on the bikes, the spigot in the Nicodemus, KS park replenished our supply. Nicodemus, was founded in 1877 by former slaves migrating north during reconstruction. While the town only has 20 or so folks living in it now, it is a State Historical site and every year late in July, descendent of the founders come from across the country to celebrate the significance of their ancestors’ migration to the Midwest.

While resting in the park, we met Don Moore, one of the residents who remain in the town. His great-grandparents were former slaves and migrated from Lexington, KY. Don helped build Webster Dam, part of I-70 and did some farming. He says there's not much work for young folks in the area, but his family will be returning for this year's celebration as they do every year.

Some of my most memorable water stops this trip include Linton, CO where we snacked at a picnic table that was established in honor of the post master and owner of many of the town businesses who was murdered in his store in the 1970s. The few houses, trailers and post office that remained had no people around. So I walked down the street of the post office where I saw an upholstery repair shop in a farm shed. I knocked on the farm house door, explained the situation and was invited in by Rosella. Her husband Ray recently had heart surgery and was recovery watching old westerns in his recliner. Rosella filled our many water bottles with cold water, let me use her bathroom and sent me away with homemade cinnamon rolls she had made.

Yesterday in the heat and wind we were out of water in Alton, KS. The town which used to have a strong business center, now has a grain elevator and coop, churches and old houses. I roamed the streets until I found a house that looked like folks were home. After knocking on the door, which had a sign selling eggs for $1.55 a dozen, I was invited in while she filled the water bottles. I entered the family dining room in the middle of a father's day meal and shared some conversation before leaving with cold water.