Iola to our new Mansion

Greetings, from still in Kansas...

    With our hopes high on making it to Missouri today, we failed, but for good concern. Our ride was great, an easy 40 miles to from Iola, Kansas to Fort Scott, Kansas. We figured we would stop in Fort Scott, 4 miles from Missouri just to see if we might like it enough to stay. If we only had known how well Fort Scott treats its outsiders!

   Upon cruising into town, we were told of a local park that we could camp at, we just had to get their City Hall and see if they'd let us camp for free. With some weird directions from our first helper out of the way, we finally reached the tiny City Hall. They said we could camp at Gun Park for $4 dollars per tent for the night. A good deal, because we thought that if we didn't use tents, then it would merely be free... Ya know, just a loophole in the system. With one option for our stay, we decided to search for something better. Something air conditioned cool.

   After lunch in the shade, we started our search for a place to stay, as well as spreading awareness. Our first stop was the Lowell Milken Center. A non-profit that helps to celebrate unsung heroes who change the world! We had the opportunity to meet the Program Director Megan Felt, author of "Life in a Jar". The book is about a hero of the holocaust, Irena Sendler, who helped save 2,500 kids from the Warsaw ghetto. Megan first started the project in high school as a freshman, researching and actually bring Irena Sendler's story to the world! Megan now teaches thousands of students from around the globe about unsung heroes and how they change the world. What she has done is amazing, and it was a true honor to meet her. She is inspirational to say the least. Also, thanks for the Jolly Ranchers!!

   Our next stop was Life+Style. We met Cynthia and Rosemary here and they were kind enough to get give us some delicious iced tea and cookies! We chatted for awhile and it was great to get to know them! Cynthia actually called the Bourbon County Newspaper and got a reporter to come to her store for a story on us! So check the news tomorrow if your in Fort Scott! Cynthia told us about some people who may be able to help, the most being Pat at Twin Mansions Bed and Breakfast. Other than that we met Don Miller, a local history teacher, and two lovely old ladies at The Country Corner. Everyone was so sweet and kind to us that it made our day here in Fort Scott already too good to be true!

   When leaving to head to the bookstore, we ran into Dusty and Amy Drake. They told us that we should go to little Italy in St. Louis for some good authentic Italian food! They donated $20 to our cause, so we thank them very much! Also, a big thanks to Diane Tucker for donating $20 to our cause!

   Upon hearing the name Pat and that she is the owner of Twin Mansions B&B in town, and that she may be able to help us out, we finally got on our bikes and decided to check the place out. We parked our bikes in front of the mansion and stepped into beautiful! Right away we met Pat and she was happy as a clam to see some cyclists! Right away she said that we could stay in the Bed and Breakfast complimentary! Turns out her and her husband Larry love to host touring cyclists!!! PERFECT! I wish you all could be here to see this place, it is just amazing. Built in the late 1800's and seems to be perfectly standing the wares of time, it is honestly the best place I have ever stayed, period. Matt and I both agree that on this trip, we are living like kings! We have a room with a shower, therapeutic massage tub, and king size bed. We would have been fine with the backyard... Thank you so much Pat and Larry for allowing us to stay in such a beautiful place! We feel honored and will spread the word to everyone about your kindness and hospitality!

   We would like to throw out a huge thanks to the city of Fort Scott, Kansas! We couldn't have asked for more when rolling into a city! We are blessed with the sense of community here and the good-hearted people we met everywhere. We will tell everyone we know that there is much more to Kansas than you think, and one of those much mores turns out to Fort Scott!

   Currently sitting in tower of the mansion, in love with life and writing this blog for our readers. We are watching the Big Lebowski and have just a great end to our day! Some quirky things have happened today, like Matt losing his shoes on the road! Also, the lady who told us our shirts are the color of sunshine! That sunshine represents happiness, and that she tries to find happiness in everything she does! We tried to talk to her, but she seemed so in love with her walk that the brief moment of passing was enough to leave her words marked on our souls. Bring happiness to everything you do, just like sunshine!

   Thanks to all our readers our there! Your all great! Comment and ask questions and say whatever you'd like! Tschau for now!!!

http://lowellmilkencenter.org/ check out some unsung heroes!! 

DONATE HERE!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=C6550C0F94434DADAF6800BA74975E7A&supId=355267381

 Ghost Kitty 20 years old Linda and Mac's kitty

 Becky our wonderful hostess with the raincyclists

 From left to right; Louie, Brent, Becky and Brian

 Harm from Holland

 Seven bikers with one common bond

 Life + Style     Rosemary striking a pose

 America!!!

 The Drakes with the raincyclists

 Our Mansion tower room

 Theraputic massage tub

Joey chillin like a king in his mansion