Oklahoma!

We've moved on from Bartlesville to Ponca City. We started out the day on backroads, which were a great break from the busy state roads we've been on. The terrain was hilly, yet flat enough that you could see miles and miles into the horizon. We were lucky in the weather category--when we woke up at 5am, the rain was pouring down, so we slept for an extra hour and by the time we hit the roads, the sky was about rained out for the day. We had an overcast sky, a bit of a breeze, and cooler temperatures. My perception of summer in Oklahoma is wet and green, but it actually should have been more like 100 degrees and golden. So, yea, we lucked out this time around! Here are some pictures (thank you CVH, my riding buddy this morning!)

Me, riding on the roads:


The Phillips 66 HQ. We're in oil country:


The view, through yellow-colored lenses (the way I often see it):


The beautiful, after-the-rain clouds:


I wanted to give a shout out to Robert from Cycles de Oro for the spoke bracelets that he made for our group (see picture in post 3 below). It is one of the coolest memorabilias that I'll take away from the summer, and it's something I hope to wear for a long time!

Also, thank you SO much to Dave, Georgie, Andy, and the rest of the crew at Adams Blvd Church of Christ in Bartlesville and to Beverly, Jamie, and the others at First Lutheran Church in Ponca City for your wonderful hospitality during our stay! I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the Okies we've met so far! THANK YOU!