Illinois Travel allows a visit HOME

 No offense, but I must say this was probably one of the best "Warm Showers" stops yet!...time spent with Andrea and Maggie...Home Sweet Home!

Storms in the forecast may make for some interesting travels...tornado drill?  Climb under the bike.

 

 I have all of the gear laid out, ready to be loaded onto "Traveler" and we are ready to hit the road. Let the next leg of the journey begin... Looks like Monty Cherry may join me as I travel through Glacier. Will be nice to have some company...bears get the slowest guy so I will be certain to be fit for this leg of the journey.   There are a lot of states to hit before that adventure!

Several folks have commented that they are having trouble with posting comments on the blog.  I definitely want to hear from you as your comments keep my spirits up on cold, windy, long bicycle rides.  The work around that we have devised (we think it is because some submitters don't have active Google accounts) is to send your comments to the email:  sspeer2@comcast.net  and Andrea will post them. 

Home visit

Maggie:  "uhhh...who ARE you?"

What a great day of bicycling, almost perfect weather!  After a great night's sleep in the Iroquois Community Center and a nice big breakfast, it was off to Odell as my destination where Andrea would meet and pick me up for a short visit home.  Knocked out 65 miles in little over half a day, felt strong to the end, wind was at my back most of the way.  So wonderful to see Andrea and Maggie, and what a treat being home this evening!  Left my bicycle in Washington, Illinois, for a much needed refitting and service after doing close to 1000 miles, much of it on dirt and gravel roads.  The chain was completely worn out; new brakes and a much needed adjustment to the gear system were in order as well.  All in all, my bicycle performed magnificently and I've become quite attached to it, carrying on long conversations with "Traveler" as we roll through the miles hours after hour, after hour, after hour... SO WONDERFUL TO BE HOME FOR A SHORT VISIT!

For those of you following the Spot Buddy, you can see exactly where I was picked up, to where we traveled to have the bike serviced, and what route we took to get home. I forgot to turn the darn thing off...darn tattletale anyway!

After not being in an automobile for a month, it was quite an experience traveling at 65 miles an hour... A lot for the brain to process at that speed.

Iroquios, IL

Thank you Iroquois Village Hall for a wonderful night's sleep!

Yesterday the conditions started out windy but tapered off as time went by and I was able to do 55 miles. Great day of riding, beautiful country, and so good to enter back into Illinois after traveling so many miles.  The citizens of Iroquois, Illinois, are so gracious to cross-country bicyclists. They have opened up their social center to bikers so that they can shower and have a roof over their heads during the cold weather.  Arrived fairly early, could have done more miles, but there really was nowhere else to go. I will attempt to hook up with Andrea, my sweet wife, today and perhaps spend a little time at home. Plan to clean all my gear, have my bike serviced, and get ready for the next leg of the trip.  This trip has changed me immeasurably and I never will be quite the same. It is all for the good; stepping out of one's comfort zone is a growing experience!  I do not believe I ever will look at the United States in quite the same way. A trip like this is not for everyone, but it certainly was good medicine for me and I have fallen in love with our great country all over again.

Welcome to Illinois

 Iroquois, Illinois

 Everett Butler gave me a place to stay tonight with a roof over my head. Supposed to get pretty cold! It will be sweet being out of the weather.

Near Buffalo, IN

 
This gentleman took a break from his work, chased me down, and chatted about a bike ride he took in the 80s.  In those days he was a rower for Purdue University; today he farms.  He was picking rocks out of this field, I was bicycling against the wind, and we thought it might be a good idea to exchange tasks.  The wind has had me slowed down to 4 miles an hour at times. At this rate I should make the West Coast around 2016.  Near Royal Ctr., Indiana, on a nice sunny Saturday with very heavy winds.

Justan Charles Turner

 Justan got out of the Army this last February.  He was with Bravo Battery, 4th Bn/319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan. He's home; he's going to use the G.I. Bill to become a gunsmith.  We met when I was looking for a place to pitch my tent near Buffalo, Indiana, and I was totally beat by the wind which has been busting my butt the whole day!  I never worked so hard for 15 miles in my life.

Justan and his family are such wonderful new friends.  Justan presented me with his 173rd Airborne patch and this will be given a place of honor upon my return home.  His Mom gave me an "It was then that I carried you" token that will see me safely through this adventure.  Chuck...you have an awesome family of which you must be so proud.  Justan...see you in Denver next year.

 Really rained last night but I was snug and warm in my little sleeping bag and tent.  I have Illinois in my sights as the next targeted state...just keep peddling into the wind...

Steve, Jake, and David will do this someday.