Thursday, June 2, 2011
Miles 80.4 Total miles 1057. 06 Daily Avg 62.1
Miles 80.4 Total miles 1057. 06 Daily Avg 62.1
Avg Speed 15.2 Max speed 37.4 mph Alt climbed 4488 ft
We were up early and out by 7:30am, last to leave but since we are not carrying as much weigh we quickly catch up with those ahead. The sun rises early with the time change, and since we are used to being an hour behind, this early start is no problem. Our ride today started with our last 50 miles of Kentucky to the Cave of Rocks Ferry at the Ohio River and into Illinois. From there we turned south along the Ohio to Elizabethtown. Joey waited for us at the ferry then proceeded to Etown and scouted a restaurant on the riverfront for lunch. A fried food feast, with catfish, cheeseballls, okra, and corn fritters. Kelly and I were slow cycling the final 15 mile to our campsite in Golconda after a heavy lunch and hot humid heat.
The final mile leaving Kentucky was over the flood plain of the Ohio River. Several weeks ago this area was under 16 feet of water. The road and ferry were closed due to the heavy flooding along the Ohio and Mississippi River. Nothing remained on either side of the road, the fields were barren and filled with sand and silt. It was difficult to imagine the road we were cycling on being under 16 feet of water for up to a ½ mile from the river banks.
With the completion of today's ride we reached two miles stones by entering our third state, Illinois and completing our first 1,000 miles. One quarter down, we are on our way and some of the most difficult riding is behind us.
If you have ever taken a long drive in the summer you know how many bugs your windshield attracts. The last few days we have felt like a windshield. Insects land on us, sting us, and basically cause a nuisance. While riding I have experienced two bee string one on the leg a second on the face. Yesterday while riding through a heavily infested cicada area Kelly was picking them from her cycling jersey and tossing them aside. I am waiting for a sunglass splat. It's a long trip, we will see what happens.
The bug fest continued this evening at our campground. The cicadas were everywhere and the eerie hum was penetrating. Cicadas were the least of the problems, now we have ticks. Joey was on tick patrol. He sat on his lounge chair reading with tweezers and butane lighter in hand keeping a watchful eye on each of us. When he spotted a tick on us he jumped into action. Deftly removing the pest and taking care of it with his handy lighter. Amazing how a nuisance can be changed into an amusing time. Hey, it could be worst we could all be back in Richmond with summer jobs.
\Waiting for the Ferry into Illinois
Crossing the Ohio River
We expect to cross paths with Lewis and Clark many times
Made it to Illinois
We should be heading west ?
Our third state
Old pumping station on the Ohio River
Golaconda flood wall. It appeared to keep things dry over the past month. we were driving on the levee
Old Ohio River Pumphouse
War Memorial in Pope Co, Il
Downtown Building in Golcanda, Il
Kelly slept outside in her hammock, She had plenty of company in the morning. The friendly Circada's
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