Illinois

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Another thanks to Kyler and the kindness of strangers. We packed up camp, oiled our chains (what a magnificent change that brought about) rode 12 miles or so and left Indiana for Illinois. No welcome sign - it was an uneventful crossing.

What is there to say about today? At one point I said "Well, that's an interesting drainage ditch." Nothing against the fine folks of the Midwest, but that tells you all you need to know about the variety of scenery here. Corn and soybeans. On a positive note though, most of the roads are nearly deserted and there's no trucks to shout over. On the flip side: I may have run out of stories.

Rach and I each took turns taking the front, 10 to 15 miles at a stretch. We've rarely had full-on headwinds but plenty of cross winds or diagonal breeze. That slows down the pace. The weather was perfect with cloudy skies and mostly cool temperatures. Some blue haze in the distance threatened during the afternoon but we were both glad to not see any rain. There were occasionally a few horses or cows at the side of the road but mostly just miles of mono-crops.

In an aside, I'm sure that you would agree that fashion has always been a primary player in our bicycling endeavor. When you look good, you feel good, and it all follows from there. Now I may have made a bit of a gambit in purchasing a white garment for our dirty travels, but last night I set the wheels in motion to pick up a package in a week or so in New Albin, Iowa that is bound to turn heads. Keep your eyes on the blog for the latest developments.

The conclusion of our ride today was the high point for me. We are camping at an oasis in the desert. The Greenhouse B&B is also a small organic farm with chickens, a gazebo, a pond, fruit trees, fresh and tasty vegetables and very friendly proprietors.

Today's distance: 63 miles

Rustic style

Drinking fountain in Brook, Indiana

Sadly we didn't purchase any gallons of freedom, just food

At the Greenhouse B&B

Flowers! Color! We had forgotten.



Comments

  1. the Old GuyJuly 23, 2018 at 8:07 PM

    Now you know why it's amazing that I ever got your Mother to eat guacamole and refried beans. They just didn't have that sort of thing in Ill-e-noy. Very nice people, but not exactly worldly. But we're working on her. Now she loves Mexican food and is addicted to fresh salsa.

    Hotter than a 2 dollar pistol here again and tomorrow is gonna be even hotter. Good thing there is no such thing as global warming. (I have that on good authority from the Cheeto in Chief and his predilection for truthfulness and scientific reasoning.)

    It's a good thing Rach is there. Never complains. Always cheerful. Thank your lucky stars for the day you met her.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CheriJuly 23, 2018 at 10:11 PM

    I used to find miles and miles of cornfields boring when we drove up to Chicago to visit Grandma so I would expect bicycling through would further amplify the monotony. I think you will be bicycling north of Hoopeston, and in trivia you're probably not interested in, Hoopeston is the Sweet Corn Capitol of the World. Unfortunately for all the corn you are seeing, July is too early for the harvest so you won't be happening upon some of the best sweet corn you could ever taste.

    Ride safely.

    Cheri

    ReplyDelete
  3. CheriJuly 24, 2018 at 8:47 PM

    Also, I might not have mentioned that Grandpa and Grandma had a small farm north of Danville. A nearby farmer planted and brought in their corn crop for them so each summer we paid attention to the heartiness of the crop.

    Cheri

    ReplyDelete

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