In Memory of Warmer Summers

Hartville, MO to Ash Grove, MO

Friendly horn taps: 3

Miles: 75

Total so far: 1,901

How high is the hay? That's a full grown cow in the center of the shot laying down with her calf.

We got word there were three bridges out for scheduled replacement on our route today.  There are extensive detours involving a lot of miles (farm country is like that – there are roads around, but nothing close and no where near direct).  We saw a man at a convenience store and he said he’d driven for an hour and a half to get to Marshfield and said it’s usually twenty minutes for him.

We'd swim it if we had to

We also got a tip from another cyclist that bicycles can go through the repair area.  It’s Sunday, the crews would not be there, so we gave it a try.  Success!  They build temporary crossings in order to get material on the other side of the water, so it was a simple matter to walk the bikes across.

Bonus today — we had sunshine all day…and wind, but I’m not going to complain about wind — not where we are going.  Bad juju.

Memorial Day weekend -- the flags in Walnut Grove were not displayed for our arrival. They probably didn't get word.

_________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Sam Streeter

Sam Streeter

Sam Streeter loved to sing and have fun with his family and friends. He walked everywhere he went and he always made time to stop by his mother’s house for a cold bottle of water. His family meant the world to him.

On August 5, 2010, Sam was hit by an alleged drunk driver. Six days later he died as a result of his injuries. The criminal court case is ongoing, but the devastation felt by his family and friends is constant. His mother, Bessie and his step-father Cornelious, want nothing more than to hear that gentle knock on the door and Sam’s melodious voice once more.

Read Full Post »

Farmington, MO to Centerville, MO

Rude horn honks: 1

Miles: 46

Total so far: 1,703

Trees down from the storm in front of the old jail, but we prepare to leave

The violent storms are behind us for now, but the unsettled weather is still here. We take off in the drizzle of the day. Riding isn’t bad. It’s a little cool, so the knee warmers are back on. The high today is supposed to only reach the low 60’s and one look at the sky tells me there is a lot of work to be done in if the sun is going to burn through the gray soup above. No predicted thunderstorms though, no tornado sirens for today, so we are off.My glasses fog and blur with the droplets that won’t leave, but it’s good to get back on the bike. We are working our way into the Ozark Mountains and the mixed growth and variety of hardwoods is dramatic.

We stop for the day in Centerville, where Julie’s equipment will be shipped, but we learn it will not come in until tomorrow.

This is a small town of less than 200 residents, and we swing into the small building housing the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office to find that we are permitted to camp in a little square on the grounds of the County Building. There isn’t any fanfare about our arrival, as this is apparently a common occurrence for the town, however they ask we not set up our tents until after 4:30. I can’t say I blame them. A bathroom is provided at the Sheriff’s office for our use through the night. I don’t really fit in the sink for a shower, but I make do.

Shirley - the owner of the 21 Diner

We set up shop at the “21 Diner”, a small eating establishment – the only one in town. They have lettuce and milk there too if needed, as there isn’t a grocery. Again, there isn’t any fanfare about our arrival. The folks there know the habits of cyclists and they know we’ll spend the rest of the day there. They offer us playing cards to pass the time, but the bonus of the day was the dill pickle milk shake they make. We cannot resist, so we order one after assurances from the proprietor that it’s not a joke, that people really do consume the things. It’s not exactly something that will start a craze in the country, but it is quite, well, not bad. Somehow the sweet plays against the dill and makes it work.

It’s a little bit like cycling in the rain. It works better than one might think, so you just have to push off and go.

Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Rudy LeTourneau

Rudy LeTourneau

My Dad was riding a bicycle when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver. Such a loss of wisdom, advice, and unconditional love now that he’s gone. My heart aches most for the grandchildren who will never know him. We work very hard to keep his memory as vivid as possible for them, but what I wouldn’t give to have him back here making memories of his own. We miss you Dad!

Read Full Post »

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.

_______________________________________________________________

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.

Read Full Post »