Miles - 78
unexpected rain storms - 3
Birthdays - Jon, the photographer
We woke and got all of our stuff together and out to the van by 6:30 am, then we went to breakfast. I'm pretty sure we were right on time today.
Our route today was changed because the proposed bridge we were going to be traveling across the Mississippi River was closed. So last night, Wes and Jeff looked at options of where to route so that they could ride to Carbondale, IL. It was decided that everyone would drive 20-30 minutes south and then get on their bikes.
As we were unloading the bikes, it started to rain. The other car had to return to the hotel because they left a jacket. We were unloading at the McDonald's parking lot and it started to rain hard. And then it would let up. So, I had time to get a Frappuccino. Then the rain stopped the 3 cyclists were on their way. They were riding along country roads. Since it was Father's Day, there wasn't too much traffic out. I relaxed too. After a littlest, they were shedding their jackets and leg warmers.
Around 11:30, they wanted to have a picnic lunch. I was wondering what they would eat, but then the cyclists said they would be game to eat at a local restaurant. We had several suggestions. I frantically called to see what restraints were opened. Some were closed. The Bar B Que place had a long line. So we ate at Pizza Hut.
Everyone ordered their favorite. Today was Jon's birthday, so we sang Happy Birthday to him. After a while, we got back on the bikes. Ben C was a part of the team today.
When we arrived in Cape Gerardo, the RidewithGPS had the cyclists on a bike path, so Glenn and I figured out how to catch up with them. We crossed over the Mississippi River and on the Illinois side, you could see lots of flooding. The road got down to one lane. Water on the road.
Our next agenda, C. needed to find the little girls room, like right now! However, we were out on 2 lane roads with miles and miles of flooded farmland. We were sent on in front to scout out to see what were the options. With my walkie talkie in hand, I walked into the Fruit and Vegetable store which had a sign that said "No public bathroom". I pleaded my case. Their answer was the toilet was not working. I wonder if that was true.
Just about the time we were going to cross the tracts to a house that had people outside of it, a train rolls by. Oh brother. But as soon as it travels through, Neil was pleading to these folks for a potty break for C. Thankfully, a gentleman opened the door. Glenn also went inside to protest C.
The 3 got back on their bikes and continued North to Carbondale. We stopped at another fruit and v3egetable stand and Neil started talking with Betty. She lives in Florida 1/2 time and up in Illinois the other 1/2. Then it started to rain. They were getting wet. And everyone took cover under a carport at a local business. Then we could hear the hail. Glad they decided to call it quits.
We loaded up the bikes and drove on into Carbondale. Our hotel room is another BestWestern. Glenn and I rested until we took a van full of folks to McAlister's for dinner. Glenn and I shared a salad and soup. Plus we had big glasswork of tea.
For Jon's birthday, we drove to the local Dairy Queen. It was an old type of walk up and order. Cute.
Day 21 is in the books!
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