Wednesday, July 20, 2011 Streator, IL 78 miles



Taking a break
Susan, Janet and Nancy

Due to the heat, most everyone was on the road today by 6:15 AM. I don’t think it was as hot as yesterday which says nothing. The heat index was reported to be 110 in Wenona, a small town that we passed through. The good thing is that we had tailwinds, and one delightful stretch enclosed by trees that included a good descent. I took a wrong turn somewhere along the route and was treated to the flight of a gorgeous blue heron. Also saw what looked to me like a bobcat or a fox in someone’s yard. Maybe I was hallucinating!

We’re in Streator, IL, tonight which is not too far south of Chicago. We biked due east all day and will continue in this way almost until we reach Bar Harbor. I believe we’ve traveled 879 miles to date.

Wind turbines

The unusual sighting on the landscape today was the wind turbines that dotted the cornfields somewhere around Henry, IL. We crossed the Illinois River outside of Henry. Except for climbing out of the river valley, it was a big chain ring day. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get back in the big ring. None of us can figure out why my left shifters are so tight. We’ll take it to the bike shop on Saturday and get resolution, I HOPE.

Rooming tonight with Elizabeth T. from Andover, MA, where she is head librarian at Andover Prep School. .. . Michelle outdid herself on dinner. Even in this heat she fired up the charcoal and used the Dutch ovens to bake lasagna and cherry cobbler. Also had Barb’s delicious salad and left-over quinoa. We ate inside in the cool of the breakfast room at the Budget Inn. . . . Barb sang two diddies for us that she composed during the day - sun and shade songs sung to the tunes of Bicycle Built For Two and In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree.

Michelle announced b’fast to be at 5:30 tomorrow. Since the mileage is 10 miles longer, this will allow us to get an even earlier start. She really earns her salary!

Tractor spraying bean crop

Daniel, what is this?  Corn combine?