Dalhart, TX

The ride out of Amarillo showed us our fist major rolling hills. Everything before this has been a baby in comparison. The scenery today has been absolutely amazing. I started off my ride with Tiffany and then we rode with Brettly and Richard for a little bit and then Alex joined us as well. I got my first flat today! Our last day in Texas and then I get a flat!!! But I was able to change it by myself. It may have taken a while but I did it. We spent the morning climbing before lunch. Climbing and climbing and climbing. After lunch things were a lot flatter and not as visually exciting but we pedaled on none the less. The day was full of coaching from Sargent Harcourt. At times I don't want to hear what he has to say but I also know that he is just trying to make us better cyclists. After riding in to our host town we stopped at Dairy Queen for some donation magic, courtesy of Steph :) Ice cream is so very refreshing at the end of your ride! After Dairy Queen we arrived at the host and settled in before dinner. The hosts for the night invited us out to their ranch for dinner. One thing I have learned about Texas since this whole trip started is that they pride themselves on everything, but especially their beef. The "Welcome to Beef Country" sign at the beginning of the state made my heart heart a little for all of the cattle living here. Anyways, this host was very nice and had veggie burger for the vegetarians of the group! Thank God. I have really come to appreciate places with vegetarian options. The further west we head the harder it is to find meatless options. Dinner was nice. We all sat outside and talked. Some people took a dip in the pool. I pet the old lab that lived here :) Nice conversations with Sadie and Sonja as well. After dinner we headed back to the host and got our laundry around. I had a few more conversations with Mark and Brettly and then I cleaned Fiona and called it a night. Tonight I am sleeping under a table! Bike & Build is doing wonders for my ability to sleep anywhere and fall asleep at any time!