Each day of riding gives to the improvement of the next. Systems are formed. A system for stowing cargo to tame the weight, for scouting ahead for possible respite places, for the rationing of food and water (+/- dependent on total days until a restocking is feasible), even a little system for mounting/dismounting the bike (I've fallen over a few times).

Early on this day I am closing in on Emporia, KS, and my mind begins to stretch hours down the road. Knowing that I would reach the city limits after dark, making it harder to find a place to break for the night (I rough it most of the time), I decide to scout ahead using Google Maps. I am looking for possible places to crash around Emporia that I could find in the dark and places to stop and eat while it's still light. After, getting a better understanding of the terrain just out side the city I pick out a few possibilities. I then find Lyon State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area midway in route to Emporia. A perfect place to stop for an early dinner, planning to afterwards ride later into the darkness and crashing outside Emporia.

A few hours later its close to dusk and I'm alone in a section of the park cooking a meal in a stone fireplace housed in stone picnic shelter-a hot meal and warmth. Two cars roll in stopping between the shelter and the lake emptying themselves of their four passengers. I watch the passengers remove items from their trunks; blankets are laid next to a fire pit; some more removal, placement and jostling of items. Trunks are closed and one car leaves with a passenger in tow.

The three remaining individuals set to collecting wood, which is sparse I found when collecting my own. I have a small pile that will go unused by myself I offer up to them. They thank me. I return to cooking. A bit later I'm invited to join them at their fire for some coffee or tea. After eating, washing and repacking the gear I join them. We make our introductions. I learn they are foreign exchange students from Saudi Arabia attending Emporia University. We chat some. I'm introduced to coffee from Saudi Arabia that has cardamon added to it. We chat for a while.

A little later as the dark settles in two cars pull into the park. One stops at large fallen tree yards from us, the other at us. New faces exited the car. Looking back at the tree where the other car had stopped I spot a few individuals scrambling on this dead trunk of a tree, on it's side, already stipped of most it's burnable material, phones in hand to light their efforts. I laugh to myself and grab my powerful flashlight from my bike to light their endeavors, then go collecting a little myself. When I return to the fire, wood in tow, there are nearing a dozen individuals seated about. New introductions are made and more coffee poured. Most are students, there is one visiting father in-law.

The dominant group conversation is in Arabic, I know none, though at times conversations are translated in either direction. Most of the students speak fluent English, leaving me in many one- on-one conversations, about my travels, their schooling and life in Saudi Arabia, where I'm told, they do this night congregation in the deserts back home on a regular basis. At one point, I am in aside with someone, and the group conversation becomes animated. My conversation partner tells me it about how bad the traffic is in Saudi Arabia (as it is everywhere).

At one point a new father, the son inlaw I think, pulls out his phone to show me pictures of his weeks old son. My only understanding of the this style dress is when references are made of Saudi Royalty in the media-enter my delusion. My only understanding of the this style dress is when references are made of Saudi Royalty in the media-enter my delusion.

A little later I contemplate camping at the park, but I want to be in Emporia first thing in the morning. I say my thanks and farewells. I mount my bike and ride. Of course, a while down the road cars filled with the students all pass me, honking as they go by.