Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Kewanee, IL 78 (hot) miles

Today was tough! It’s the HEAT! We’re experiencing the nation’s heat wave from the saddle of a bike and close to asphalt! I really didn’t plan to ride all day today, but once I got out on the road, I just kept going. It helped that some of the others wanted to stop at noon and cool off at the Cambridge Subway shop. At that point we only had 20 miles to go. . . .Getting out of Muscatine was easy and I really enjoyed going over the MS River bridge. The view back toward the town was really something! After the bridge, we were in Illinois (Margueritas tonight), and immediately got onto a 5.3 stretch of road that gave expanded meaning to Shake and Bake! This road had been scrubbed prior to having new asphalt applied. The only thing was the fact that the asphalt never got applied. It was awful - nearly shook us to pieces. After that the roads were good, some with shoulders, some without, but with little traffic and few hills. .. . Just the extreme heat. As I approached the hotel, I passed a bank sign that registered 102 degrees. I've promise myself that tomorrow I will sag in the last 20 miles.

Sherrard, IL, Public Libary

Corn storage bins

Going through the little farming community of Sherrard, it was surprising to see this huge sign (not sure if it was painted on the wall or if it was a banner) advertising the local library.  Also got a picture of the huge grain storage bins. We seemed to have swapped silos for the bins. Still going through corn and bean fields.   Also passed one or two pig farms. In fact, Kewanee, IL, is called the Hog Capital of the World.

Staying at an AmericInn again tonight. Linda B. (St. Louis) is my roommate. We’ve found a strong commonality in our faith. . . . Carol spent a lot of time on my bike this afternoon. She thinks my handlebar pack is crimping the shift cables. She replaced the cables and thinks I can “get through the trip.” I may have to leave off the pack and store it in the trailer.

Menu tonight: Grilled Salmon, Corn on the Cob (thanks again, Laura), Salad, Quinoa w/Veggies, Fresh Blackberries/ Strawberries/Blueberries, Chocolate Chip Cookies.