A beautiful morning. Winds had abated significantly. Still warming up quick but not like yesterday. Hotel coffee while I was loading the bike. The boys taking advantage of the free breakfast. Loaded bikes generate conversations with folks passing by. Nice retired couple from Atlanta. I was moving my bike to give a lady more space. ‘You’re fine’ she says. ‘My husband has 7 of them’ with a big smile. Her husband has rented bikes all over Europe and has travelled across the US. Young gentlemen working on hotel projects outside, probably spending too much time inquiring..
Geared up and headed east. Kansas was much more appealing than the day before. Hydrated, rested, no natural elements to fight. I was not as cranky. Fueled up and rolled. An hour or so later we crossed into Missouri. The road opened up to a 4 lane divided highway. With it the traffic increased. Making good time, but more like driving. The ‘zen’ of riding is lost when traffic increases. An hour or so into the ‘Show me’ state we stopped for fuel. Big gas station. All of us had to wait for a pump. Sure is different than the one pump stores we found out in the west. Starting to warm up.

Headed east for about an hour more. Decided to take a two laner north into Iowa. We had to start making our way north a bit as we get closer to Michigan. Great narrow little road. Twisty, rolling hills. Very rural. Wooded. Fields. Small towns. 55mph. Stopped for fuel in Milan. Getting very hot. I ditched my jacket. Couldn’t generate enough wind to cool me off. Drank lots of water. Boys doing the same.

Headed north again. Another hour or so, crossed into Iowa. ‘The People of Iowa Welcome You’. Another 45 minutes or so found the road we wanted and headed east. Well into the afternoon, we had’t had a meal break and started looking for a restaurant. No luck. Nice day. Rolling country side. Not much in the way of commerce. Still a ways to go before we crossed the Mississippi. Stopped for fuel. Fuel stops are getting a bit more frequent. Could probably go another half hour further or more but with the heat, your body need a break.
Stopped at a small establishment in Pulaski, Iowa. The only bit of commerce in the town. Luck would have it, the store was also a diner, laundromat, convenience store, gas station and something else I can’t remember. We decided to grab something to eat there. When asked what was her favorite on the menu, she replied the tenderloin. ‘I bread them myself’. We ordered up, ate, fueled and scooted.
Heading east and in about an hour or so got into Ft. Madison. After getting turned around a bit on the streets there, got onto the bridge across the river. Very old bridge. No trucks allowed. Next bridges were probably 30 miles north or south. We pulled into Illinois on the far side. It was late in the afternoon. I was getting inquiries. ‘What’s the plan Dad? Dad has no plan 🙂 Looking for an establishment on that side of the river for a break and a refreshment and found none. Headed south along the river to Nauvoo, IL. Nice ride.
Nauvoo was the sight of Joseph Smith and his followers before they headed to Salt Lake City. Lots of signs enticing all to visit the historical community along the way. Pulled into town. Sure has changed since I went to college near there. My roommate was from Nauvoo. The Mormon’s have since erected a huge and beautiful temple on a hill over looking the river. Its right next to the Catholic church. Lots of new historical buildings put up. Needless to say, not an adult beverage in town. We pulled over in a park with trees, Had some water and did the google thing. Found some rooms in Macomb, about 50 miles east. Booked them and got back on the road. After 6.

Macomb is also home of Western IL University. Wow. The town sure has changed. Go figure. Found the hotel. Checked in. Unloaded the gear. Showered.

Headed downtown to show the boys what college life is really like. Most of the establishments that Irena and I hung out at no longer exist. How could that be? A couple of visits and I was ready to call it a night. Boys were on board with that. About 9p, found a liquor store. Pulled out our camp chairs and had some cool refreshments for and hour or so sitting next to our bikes. Stretching the moments, knowing that the trip is getting close to the end. Lot’s of recalling the last couple of weeks. Folks stopping by to chat.

Well over 4,000 miles so far. Maybe 500+ to go. Its like horses heading to the barn. We are eager to get home but not for it to end.
Life is good.