Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem. -Ronald Reagan

Hello everyone,

I was fortunate today to be able to spend the afternoon with my friend Ed Pilewski who lives in nearby Lindsborg KS. Ed and I both worked for A. G. Edwards &Sons and successor firms for a short over-lapping period of time. I really didn’t get to know Ed very well until after I retired and Ed provided some much needed support on my first cross country ride in 2012. He was in Dalhart Texas about the same time that we stayed there. We just had time to say “hi”.

This time my trip coincided with his schedule and we were able to meet close to his home and he was gracious enough to come by the hotel and take me on a grand tour of the area. Ed was in the Marine Corp for 8 years and is a former resident of Long island NY. His wife and her family have lived in this area for years and they were able to return here a few years back. Ed was assigned to George Herbert Walker Bush in the inauguration ceremonies for Reagan-Bush and has a a few interesting tales from that era. He likes to hunt, fish, drive in off road competitions, ride his MTB for miles around Lindsborg (it is not flat!), do woodworking, camp and entertain his grandkids. he also has been active with his church in building homes in Mexico and helping out in countries like Rwanda. He gave freely to his country and he continues to make a difference through his other work. I think Ronald  Reagan had Ed in mind when he came up with that quote. Ed has made a difference and continues to make a difference.

We went through the small town of Lindsborg which was settled by Swedes (via Chicago). The Swedish influence is prevalent throughout the town via the architecture, sculptures and signage. There is a small college here (Bethany College) that is famous for the recital of Handel’s Messiah annually and many of the retirees return home to participate. The 7 time World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov lives here and maintains chess school.

Ed took me to see several sites as well. As I looked into the distance, I asked Ed, :Looks like you have some mountains here?” Ed said, “That is one of the places that i am going to take you.”  The name of the “mountain” is Coronado Heights and it dwarfs Pawnee Rock by several times. During the Depression, the WPA built a castle-like structure at the top and turned it into a park. Yu can see for miles.

ED also showed me a grave site from his wife’s family and a “dugout” from an earl settler to the area, Hogland. Now, my respect and admiration for the folks who populated this great land has gone up several hundred percent. These were some tough folks. They had a lot of children, but many of them died very young because of the hardship. In the early days, there was not very much in terms of building materials, so these folks dug holes in the ground, lined the hole with some stones and perhaps covered the hole with a tarp. That was their home. The land had been subdivided into 1 mile segments and that was a “share” for the early settlers who had to live on and work that land. I have some photos but the Hoglands had 7 children who lived in their “dugout” home.

Ed, I know that I am probably leaving out quite a bit of your commentary. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon after riding and I enjoyed the beers we shared afterwards. Thanks for the afternoon, your service to our country and the work you continue to do!

I did have a fairly uneventful ride to McPherson Kansas (it is pronounced Mc “fur” son and not Mc “fear” son. Ed told me that any local will tell me there is NO FEAR in McPherson. It was about 63 miles, a little wind, cool weather and fairly flat. I did see some long-horned cattle but neglected to take a photo. Too bad, they were all lining the fence itching to be photographed.

Tomorrow we ride to Abilene and a rest day. I did receive some bad news on Randy G. yesterday, his knee is worse than we feared but we still pray for his return. He is a good guy and he is taking this blow in stride but I know that it took a lot to get to this point in terms of training, committment and funding. Randy is a trooper and will be back.

Hope that everyone is having a marvelous Sunday and doing well.

Tailwinds

Chuck