This morning we went over to the Corner Nutrition in Seminole -- where we had been invited for shakes the night before and told by Chris to stop by for breakfast! We had definitely been looking forward to it. We needed to leave by 7:30 at the latest, to make it over to Shawnee by 9am which is about 18 miles west. Luckily, the club opened at 7am, and even though we were there around 6:45, the door was open so we parked our bikes and stepped inside. A man named James was working that morning, and he greeted us and we told him about meeting Chris the day before and about our ride. He gave us his opinion on the oil pipeline, which we appreciated him sharing. He said that he would prefer the pipeline to getting oil from the Middle East and all the fighting that has gone on there.
He made us tea, their HerbalLife brand, to hydrate and burn calories. We didn't need the calories burned--doing enough of that on the road--but it was still good! Mine was skittles flavored, made without aspartame and using stevia sugar and fruit juices. He then made us HerbalLife shakes, which are meal replacement shakes. They come in an astonishing array of delicious flavors -- I chose strawberry cupcake and Laurel chose caramel macchiato. Delicious! This were all on the house! James talked to us more about bikes and riding, and some of the awesome rides he has done and stories he has. He has biked in 48 states, and will be mountain biking in British Columbia next trip. Corner Nutrition helped us out so much. It seems like such an awesome community of people, and so encouraging. I think that their club helps get many people active and biking, promoting healthy nutrition and exercise. Some of their trail rides sound so fun (and challenging!) it would be great to join them one day. So please stop by and say hello to them and try a scrumptious shake if you are ever anywhere near Oklahoma City. Seminole is just to the west of Oklahoma City, and you won't regret stopping into Corner Nutrition to talk to these awesome, kind people. We got on our way with huge smiles on our face.
We were cutting west to Shawnee, via highway 3 I believe. We got going a bit later than perhaps we should have (though totally worth it, for the above reasons) as it was around 7:30 and we needed to cover 19 or so miles by 9am. The road was good, and the morning cool, so we actually made it into Shawnee proper precisely at 9:00. However, it took us longer than expected to get to the southern edge of town and to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation administration building. We got a bit confused, and even managed to confuse someone trying to help us when we asked where the KGFF AM radio station was and he kindly brought us there, only for us to realize (as we should have known, because we were told in an email already) that the radio host Michael Dodson who we were to meet had his office across the street in the actual citizen center. We hurried as fast as we could this whole time, but were still a shameful 30 minutes late. I felt bad for wasting his time, knowing he is likely busy, but knew we had pedaled as fast as we could and was grateful to be in the right place. Walking down the hall, I could hear his voice and felt relief that we were where we should be.
It was really spectacular to meet Mr. Michael Dodson. He is strongly liberal, and it felt comforting to be able to speak completely openly about the pipeline. He is also extremely well informed, perhaps more so than I am! We talked about he Kalamazoo River oil spill as an example of one of the many risks of the keystone XL expansion, as well as the huge risk to the Oglala Aquifer. He talked to us about our background and reasons for the ride, and to share some of our opinions, as well as to help more facts about the pipeline and its dangers. There are many more things I would have liked to say or discuss, but we only had a half an hour for the interview material and it flew past. When he has edited it and prepared it he will share it with us, and I will hopefully link to it here. So look out for it, and if you can tune into Shawnee's KGFF radio in the next couple days and listen for the news director Michael Dodson's segment, you may hear us! I can't express my gratitude enough to him for talking with us and helping to spread the word about the Keystone XL pipeline and why it is not what is good for our future. As I said to him at the end, we have to stop thinking in the now, and think to the seventh generation as the very truthful saying goes.
I felt after the interview that I wished I had spoken better, even though I felt I did alright. He was much better about stating things outright, whereas I as a Minnesotan often couch things. But I would not have ridden some 500 miles (our approximate distance so far) if I did not feel strongly against the pipeline. I feel that we are at a fork in the road, and down one path is a healthy earth and change for the better, and down the other path is continued reliance on pollutive energy sources that we have let ourselves depend on for too long, at the expense of our one and only precious earth. I have poured sweat and blood and even tears into the miles we have covered so far, and it is because of my dedication to the earth that I continue despite any pain or struggle we have faced thus far. I am willing to defend it.
I also want people to understand that it was no coincidence at all that I choose to bike. For me, bikes represent a change in lifestyles. If we can start biking and walking more, and driving less, that to me means energy independence. I have gone some 500 miles so far, independent of oil and powered by my own will and body. We must remember the power that is within our bodies, and use it for good. I am profoundly grateful for a body that is so far hale, and I know I would not have such strength if the earth is unhealthy. My strength comes from the earth and I am the earth, and it is me. We are all connected, and must act with respect for our interconnectedness. This means acting responsibly with regards to energy use. This means making a change, and deciding against the keystone XL pipeline and further oil exploration.
From Shawnee we had about 50 + miles to cover to reach Cushing, one of the biggest oil hubs in the United States -- the "pipeline crossroads of the world." We took highway 18 north for all but the last 6 miles, which were on highway 33 east. This road had no shoulder, and intermittent heavy traffic and semis and other big trucks. It calmed somewhat the farther we went from Shawnee, but still there were any times multiple cars or semis whizz we unnervingly fast just next to us. The hills also climbed relentlessly, going up and and for long stretches, barely leveling, then up, then a slow unsatisfying downhill, then up again. The wind also made it so that we had to pedal even on most downhills. The miles crawled along, as we clutched to the side of the road and moved like to snails. At least, I was a snail. Laurel alway seems unstoppable. But my goodness is Oklahoma hilly. So hilly. It seemed to take a long time to finally reach 33, which thank goodness had a shoulder. There were some massive hills here leading into Cushing. We passed the model pipeline sign for Cushing, and made our way into the city to locate a motel. We decided on Wilshire Inn, cheap but nice. The weather today, however, was very lucky. Sunny with some clouds and only in the 80s! Compared to yesterday, it is perfect and not nearly so sizzling!
Cushing itself has tons of oil storage, pipelines and no trespassing areas behind fences. I walked the back alley along this large fenced area looking at the fields and looming stations. A LOT of oil passes through here.
On a last note for today, I have to say I am impressed by how many truly kind people who meet. It is reminding me that, in so many cases, people are good. There are good people everywhere, each with potential and kindness and their own story. I met a very kind lady at the gas station in Cushing, who has done some long impressive rides herself, and she spoke so kindly with me and said she would pray for us, and encouraged me. There is goodness in many places. So even if today was hard -- I admit, I am worn down and tired and today was another 80 miles -- a bit of kindness and encouragement can go a long way.
For me, reaching Cushing was a big accomplishment. We have covered a lot of distance, just more than 500 miles. Though there is much more ahead, if nothing else we have completed this very concrete accomplishment. We will see how far we can get, but at least we have made it here.