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July 14, 1991 Dear Grandmama, After a bad night of sleep on dusty, rutty ground in Bridgeport, we head out east along the Platte River. We made good time the first 45 miles. Lots of trains passed us. The engineers usually wave and sound the horn. We ate a good lunch in Oskhosh — roast beef buffet. Nothing fried for once! Then we started into the last 45 miles. It was hell. Very hilly. But the wind! A strong head wind or side wind. And it never let up. I hate the wind! No town or shade to speak of. 95°. We’d had it. Our destination was Ogallala. 10 miles out we finally stopped by some trees to eat some raisins. There was a house way down the driveway, so we decided to ask them to give us a ride into town. We were defeated. But it must have been predestined because the couple we met were wonderful — Geri and Jim Welsh. They farm 4000 acres (at a loss) and teach clogging. He carves wooden animals that are beautiful. Geri gave us a ride to town and I talked Duc into a motel room. We need a good sleep — I’m sure the wind will be blowing again. So we had 80 hard-fought miles and a defeating situation turned out well. Love, Paula