Grand Rivers, Kentucky to Cave in Rock, Illinois
Friendly horn taps: 3
Miles: 56
Total so far: 1,474
Allow me to begin by saying we reached Illinois today (with the attendant applause, please).
No Illinois welcome sign, but we'll take what we can get
This is hugely significant for us in that we’ve now completed our ride on the Underground Railroad Route and we’ve intersected the traditional Trans America route which we will take to get to Astoria, Oregon. We’ve traveled just under 1,500 miles in 26 days. This is quite an achievement for two reasons.
This was no small feat in terms of timing. Just yesterday they resumed the ferry service to get us across the Ohio River into Cave in Rock, Illinois (rumor is they heard we were coming and we wouldn’t be denied). The ferry service has been shut down for two months due to the worst flooding of the Ohio River since 1937. Without the ferry, the work-around is another 360 miles.
Like many of the roads we were on today, the trees on either side of this road show that until just a couple of days ago the water covered the road by many feet. We saw many examples of destruction from the flooding
The ferry ride across the swollen and fast moving Ohio River
We rode every day now for 26 days. Candidly speaking, that’s just a little nuts. We took some short days instead of rest days, and that will build mileage, but eventually there is a toll, and this morning we decided we would lay over a day and rest ourselves. Not only that, but we secured a nice lodge to stay in overlooking the banks of the Ohio River in Cave in Rock State Park.
From the lodge deck overlooking the Ohio River at Cave in Rock State Park (with the required laundry drying,of course)
I think it may be of interest to know a little about how life is out here “on tour”. These pictures are from our last stay at Grand Rivers. There is a public campground there operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. As campgrounds rate, this is an easy “5” on a scale of 1-7 (if they have hot water in the showers, that’s an immediate “1”, and may even be a “2”).
Campground "bath house"
We shower every day. The bath houses have lockable private shower stalls large enough to bring a change of clothing in and keep dry while you scrub the day's grime off
Our camp site - breakfast prep (secret family recipe of fortified instant oatmeal) - fast and wholesome for a morning ride
Our preference is to get to a restaurant for lunch and have local cuisine -- lots of it. Sallie scores on a Reuben sandwich and salad bar - not exactly local cuisine - how did we know the chef was from New York?
Dinners are usually fairly light with food obtained from grocery stores - more of a snacking than a meal. Too much going on with the blog and getting to sleep early. We rise before the birds.
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Tomorrow is a day of rest, so ride dedications will resume for the next day.
Tom - this one is for you. Stay safe and live long. Thanks for following the blog.
In Memory of Warmer Summers 
I am following your ride and am blessed by each entry. So very grateful you and your sister are able to have this experience together. You both deserve a day of rest tomorrow. Do take very good care of yourselves.
Blessings to both of you.
Carl,
As I wrote to Sallie yesterday:
“Janet and I have been following you two … speechlessly in awe of your courage and dedication. …”
We are so glad you have stopped for a sanity-break today and hope that it the rest will renew your energy reserves and take a load off the adrenaline that I have no doubt you call on regularly. Stay warm, stay dry, stay out of the thunderstorms, enjoy your rest day today so you can continue, recharged, tomorrow.
Our thoughts and prayers go with you.
Finally!! Something to eat!
That reuben looks delicious! I look forward to having lunch with you when you get back to Dallas. Until then, I’ll continue to follow you on the road. Continued safe travels…
Ha! I knew I would see a post from Watson about the food!
Awesome trip!