Our love affair with route 20 and Nebraska towns began today. We did our laundry and then headed out onto 20. After the previous days 80 mile effort with lightning, headwinds, and dirt roads we needed a break. So we stopped at Merriman, the first town we came to. The headwinds were slighter today, and we had no rain. We could only complain about the large gaps between pavement blocks. We felt each and every one. This town had a small park with a shower! People even encouraged us to camp for free! We bought some steak and Patti made a great dinner of beef stroganoff. A very good day.