Rough River Dam State Park Campground, KY
Sebree, KY - We arrived to marvelous accommodations at the First Baptist Church thanks to Violet, the pastor's wife. They provide a Cyclist Hostel in the Youth Building, hot shower, laundry facilities and a private air conditioned SS classroom for our air mattresses! That evening at Violet's invitation, we drove to Henderson, KY for downtown music festival in the park - Zydeco, Andouille sausage, red beans and rice alongside the Ohio River - fabulous!
New State Day - We crossed the Ohio River by ferry to arrive in Illinois.
Stayed at Cave-In-Rock State Park, IL - amazing sight; barely adequate state park; authentic southern Illinois catfish dinner - yum.
Goreville, IL - Ferne Clyffe State Park Nice prayer garden at a Baptist Church made for a peaceful lunch stop along the way. Delaney's on Broadway - awesome homemade Sloppy Joes and (free) peach cobbler for cyclists - another yum.
Chester, IL - Rode along the Mississippi levee for a good bit of the way - river on one side and miles of corn and wheat on the other. Lots of wind - good on the northwest heading, atrocious on the southern tack, makes a difference of 12 miles per hour in average speed! Don't know where we'll spend the night - options are limited, but free :-) 
Amber Waves of Grain
Our First Glimpse of the Mississippi River from the Levee
A Shout Out to our Nephew Chester - We're spending the night in your town! Chester, IL claim to fame - the Hometown of Popeye! What fun!
In the Popeye Museum, AKA the Official Popeye Fan Clubhouse!
Wimpy
Thanks to Mickey Dee's for the free WiFi.
(PS From Denise - It's been an amazing, sometimes exhausting, but wonder-filled two weeks. Somedays I can hardly believe I am on the road sleeping in a tent, so far from my comfort zone and home, but I'm so glad I'm sailing along with my hero!)
Hi Mark and Denise,
ReplyDeleteWow! You are flying! So happy to see that you are enjoying some great hospitality.
I grew up about 80 miles south of Paducah, KY, near Trimble, TN. My parents still live there.
Will keep you both in our prayers.
Safe travel, and good weather!
Anita and Andy
I love reading your updates!!! Way to go! Keep up the good work. Easy for me to say,right? Praying for y'all daily!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are moving right along. I really need to see Denise in that tent sleeping to believe it. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteTeri
We can't believe you are at the Mississippi already. Sounds like a wonderful adventure. Thanks for the posts & pics. Susan & Thomas
ReplyDeleteLove you in the Popeye and Olive Oyl cutout!! Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on your journey, Mark.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for keeping us all in the loop! We are loving the updates and the kids are cheering you on from Belmont!!! Keep eating your spinach (and I want to see Denise in the tent, too!).
ReplyDeleteI started reading the entries and I couldn't stop...the pictures and descriptions just sound unbelievable. Do you think I can convince Russell to start riding a bike so we can go across the country too? Unfortunately I think that is about as likely as him sprouting two little pink wings and flying :(
ReplyDeleteI read the entry to Chester and he loved that there is a place with his name and he liked the picture of "Ant 'Neese" with Popeye and especially like the picture of you both as Popeye and Olive :-)
I knew when you said Southern Illinois that you must have gone through Goreville and eaten at that little cafe! Apparently it's very big with cyclists going through the area. My husband (Ray, I'm pretty sure you met him a ways back!) is from Goreville and we are up there visiting his mom at least once a year. She lives right by Ferne Clyffe Park. Glad you are having so much fun for such a great cause!
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