The weather in Cincinnati was absolutely perfect today. I was dropped off in downtown Loveland and walked home (13 miles). Along the way I saw a cyclist with her dog in her backpack. The little dog was some sort of a white poodle mix and his head popped out of the pack staring right at me as they rode by. I had to laugh when I noticed that this little dog was wearing his own helmet. It was a hard helmet similar to ones that humans wear and it was a colorful blue which was quite stylish. The dog seemed very happy. Along the way, I stopped off at my favorite country store to replenish my Diet Dew. I met an archaeologist who was wearing a Yellowstone T-shirt with the face of a grizzly. So naturally, I struck up a conversation with this University of Cincinnati professor. Someday, I'd like to sit in on his classes, because he has done much work with both National Geographic and The Discovery Channel. He gave me some tips, some I already knew, and others I didn't. My mind is always wide open about learning. We exchanged business cards and off he rode. I walked upon another man who was staring beyond the trail. He had heard about the guy who calls into the radio station and boasts about his ability to siphon gas. The man staring beyond the trail was hoping to catch the guy "in the act" as the police have tried to catch him many times in the past. And then my last 3 miles is uphill alongside buzzing traffic. These are stories that will not exist for me on the CDT a week from now. But my little bit of sunburn will remain.