About a week ago, I suddenly decided on an overnight camping trip to a local (23 miles from my front door) state park. The stars, (weather, work, all that) seemed to be aligned.

All was well until I was called in to work for a few hours on the appointed day. How do they always know when I have other plans?

Anyway, long story short, by the time I was ready to pull out, DH was home from work and it was getting a little late to take off. I did anyway. DH rode with me for a while to our local burger joint. I passed on eating a burger with him, as I was starting to feel pressed for time, but I was glad he could join me for a while.

I really enjoyed the ride down to the park, however quickly the sun was heading toward the horizon. It was almost full dark by the time I got there, and I had the challenge of setting up a brand-new, first time out of the box tent. Hey, setting up a new tent by the light of a flashlight clenched in your teeth is fun!

Dinner was a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, veggies, & trail mix for dessert. And tea, always tea. If it weren't for my tea, I would have left the stove at home.

I didn't need the rain fly, it was a beautiful star-lit night, so after dinner, I went to bed, enjoyed the stars for a while and slept.

Breakfast was another no-cook-except-for-tea affair. I enjoyed the campsite for a while, then headed home. All in all it was a great little trip.

Some highlights:

Except for emergency gear, I used everything I took. I was glad not to have to use my tire kit, pump, emergency blanket, etc.

The Kindle is a great companion on a bike trip.

I'm really glad tent technology has progressed since the canvas umbrella tents that fit in the trunks of most '60s-era American cars. My brand-new tent was a breeze to set up.

My sleeping bag is actually a quilt plus a silk sleep sack. This system works very well for me.

The drivers on the highway were super polite, waiting, then pulling over into the other lane to pass me.

Nebraska hills, on the other hand. . . but, hey, I can stay upright on that bike at ~2 mph.

I still love my big, heavy, slow long wheel base recumbent for travel. It just works.