Chester, Illinois to Farmington, Missouri
Friendly horn taps: 1
Rude Honks: 2 (one from a motorcycle!?)
Miles: 50
Miles so far: 1,657
Julie and Sallie get ready outside the bunkhouse at the Chester, IL Eagles Club
This is Julie from Brooklyn. We first met her at the campground in Goreville and we’ve kept touching base every evening on the route thus far. Julie is riding from Brooklyn to San Francisco. Her partner in this adventure is David. David has had some serious mechanical issues and has dropped behind by a couple of days. we hope he catches up soon.
Across the Mississippi!
We entered Missouri today! In leaving Chester, Illinois, we stopped to take a couple of pictures of Popeye. Popeye’s creator was from Chester, and there is quite the Popeye theme running through town.
Popeye (I had a spinach omelet this morning in his honor)
Our Mississippi crossing lies ahead on this bridge at Chester, IL
The old jail in Farmington, MO
A new life for an old structure
Our stopping place for the day was in Farmington, MO. We found out quite by chance that was an excellent choice, as Farmington has invested some serious time and money in supporting Trans Am riders. They have an old jail building here that they’ve remodeled and turned into a dormitory for riders. They ask for contributions of $20 per night, $2 per load of laundry in the supplied heavy duty machines, a full kitchen, showers, and room enough to bunk 14 people.
Roomy, new, comfortable -- jail?
One of the three bunk rooms. This one sleeps six.
The facility is called Al’s Place, in honor of a local businessman and cyclist, Al Dziewa. Al apparently succumbed to cancer in 2005 at the age of 49. He was such a friend to cyclists, the city put this facility in his name. It’s easy enough to find — there are markings and arrows on the pavement small enough to be unseen by motorists, but conspicuous enough for a cyclist in town as one rides through. What an amazing asset for the town of Farmington, MO to offer to Trans Am riders!
Julie and Sallie catch up on the comfortable couches, just like the jails I know
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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Kiran Ayn Bandari Rao
Kiran was a wonderful child, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, granddaughter and friend to many. She had a bright future ahead of her when she was killed. Her name meant ray of light and she shone brightly for the 10 years and 8 months we were blessed to have her.
She was smart, beautiful, thoughtful and kind to others. She was caring, loving and a joy to know, with a smile that lit up a room.
We want her memory to shine forever as she is with us forever in our hearts and we miss her terribly.
Love Always,
Himavanth, Jennifer & Alex Rao
In Memory of Warmer Summers 
Carl & Sallie,
Welcome to Missouri!
This memorial ride is so real to us as we read your daily blogs or posts it almost makes us want to exercise on a bike also, almost. We’re so glad the jail in Farmington has worked out so well. Stay jailed if you must. The goods and bads have been so interesting as the two of you have biked the past six states in challenging weather that we want you to know our thoughts and prayers go with you during this memoriam travel. As you noted Joplin, our MADD Newton-Jasper group of volunteers, have been affected tremendously by a terrible tornado and everyone in the community needs our prayers. Those volunteers were going to have a welcoming ceremony in/around the Golden City area and a send-off into Kansas but circumstances may be different now. You are invited to stay with us throughout the Memorial Day weekend at Lebanon, pick you both up w/bikes and deliver back to exact spot whenever & wherever you want, courtesy of MADD Central Missouri. Just let us know. All local newspapers/radio stations have been contacted the entire length of the Transamerica route of MO and we hope this will assist on your donation goals too. Bless both of you and stay safe!
Bud & Donna Balke – Phaedra Marriott-Olsen