From Cave in Rock State Park, IL to Ferne Clyffe State Park (just outside of Goreville, IL) - ~60 miles
i have to be honest, it was pretty rough getting out of bed and getting going this morning. it had been so nice to be with mom and dad, to be off the bikes for a day, and to be staying in the luxury accomodations that we had been in for the last two nights. needless to say, we hit the snooze on the alarm a few more time than usual. but by a little before 6 we were out of bed and by 6:45 we had the bikes loaded and were back out on the road.
we rode about 10 miles into elizabethtown where we met mom and dad at a little ma and pa restaurant for breakfast. we had a great breakfast with them before saying goodbye and getting back out on the road for good. just before we left the restaurant, we ran into a couple that appeared to be cyclists. and so as we were leaving, we asked them if they were cycling the transam and they said, "well, kind of". we inquired as to what exactly that meant, and we found out that they are from england, they started cycling 10 weeks ago in orlando, cycled up the coast and joined the transam, they will ride the transam to missoula, mt, and there they will diverge from the route and head to calgary where they have a son.
the english blokes (their word), left the restaurant just a minute or two before us. not too far up the road, we found them stopped on the side of the road and there were 3 cyclists stopped on the other side of the road. they were what appeared to be a father, son and daughter. they have been riding across the country in 3 week increments over the last 3 years.
we cycled with the english blokes out in the distance for the next stretch on the maps, and just before we were supposed to turn, we were passed by two cyclists. when we got up to our turn, the two guys that passed us, the two english blokes, and a support car from the two guys was waiting there. turns out, the two guys that passed us were with a third guy in the car and he was giving them support (food and water). we all pulled alongside the car and had some conversation and shared a few stories, while the guy in the car filled all of our waters for us. it was quite a nice little blessing! and it was great fun to have that may cyclists, doing the same thing, all together at one place!
after we left our mass of cyclists, we rode along with the english blokes for pretty much the rest of the day. we stopped for "lunch" at around 2 pm at a beautiful country church that had some very inviting benches underneath a great shade tree. we had our lunch and rested a bit and were just about ready to get back on the bikes when a nice older lady pulled into the parking lot. she parked right next to us and got out and asked us if we wanted to come into the air conditioning and get a glass of ice water. we said that would be great (and i am pretty sure the ladies were excited about using the restroom), so we went in and the air conditioning was definitely working...she filled our bottles with ice and water, and we stood in the kitchen and had some great conversation with her. her name was patsy curly...and she was a wonderful little find in the middle of a hot june day.
we decided that all four of us would cycle here to ferne clyffe and share a campsite. so, as we got to the turn for the park, the english couple headed to the park because they had food with them and we turned and headed into goreville because we had heard from multiple people that there was a restaurant in town with amazing ribs. we found a place to eat, but i think that as it turns out, i don't think that we found the place with the great ribs. but nonetheless, it was pretty good food!
we enjoyed our food, and then hoped back on the bikes and cycled the mile or so into the park to find our english friends and our campsite for the night. so, we are here with them for the night, sharing a campground and some lovely conversation. they are great people...and amazing conversationalists. i kind of hate to see us part ways, but i think that we will probably cycle on past them tomorrow.
today was probably the best/easiest day of cycling we have had thus far. we are not sure if it was because of the off day, a slightly different terrain, or a little bit lesser number of miles. whatever it was, it was a great day of cycling. i am kind of anxious to see how the legs feel tomorrow. hopefully it will continue to be great, pain free cycling.
2 comments:
Hello Cailyn and Brad, We stopped at the Eagles and got your message about Gil. Lo and behold he's here in Al's Place in Farmington. I guess since there's no note from you in the guestbook that you bypassed this. This is a very nice hostel run by the town in the old jail. It has superceded the Firestation as the place to stay.
It was really nice travelling with you both and good to read your blogspot comments. One small comment - bloke is masculine as is chap, fellow, geezer, mush and other such names for blokes. Julie forgives you of course.
Hope you met up with your friends ok and have a good week with them.
If you are ever lucky enough to get a trip to England we'd be glad to have you to stay with us and show you around a bit. Let us know if it factors in your travel plans, with or without kids!
Take care and have a good trip. It would be good to stumble across you again but I think you will be too far ahead now.
Regards
Julie and Mick
Brad and Cail! Just found your blog!!! YESSSS!!! I'm loving the chance to catch up and see what your trip has been like so far :) Wow. You two are amazing. So glad you're doing well and keeping safe thus far. PLEASE let me know when you get close to MT-- I think Cail said that you guys would be passing through Missoula...? I can almost guarantee that Rob and I would be up for some cycling out that way, if the timing works out. Love you both!
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