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Day 182 - Sunday 7-14-02 - Mileage today 55.0 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,326.75
From Monroeville to Largo

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

We had another beautiful day today.
Cycling is EZ and roads quiet.

Day 183 - Mon. 7-15-02 - mileage today 72.5 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,399.25
From Largo to Buffalo

ICE CREAM YOU SCREAM WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

I have some sad news to pass along. Recently a 41-year-old cyclist from San Jose, Ca. was hit by a car and killed. Near the town of Monroeville a cyclist was accidentally struck by a car at about 4:00 in the afternoon. The people of Monroeville are very saddened by the accident. Monroeville for many years has welcomed cyclist to their town. The people didn’t really want to talk about the accident but wanted us to know they were very saddened about it. This strikes home to me. I'm 42 years old and was raised in San Jose, Ca. We are quickly passing from the cleared, wooded, rich farms of Indiana to the treeless wide-open prairies of the Midwest. We are entering the wide-open spaces of the prairies. The weather has been hot and humid. We got separated this morning. Myron was going to lead us to a cafe he had found. He was ahead of me and when he turned a corner I couldn’t see where he went. I had no maps or any idea where I was. I cycled about 7 miles until I found an intersection. I wanted there until a car came along and asked where a town was.  I cycled another 7 miles into a town and got breakfast and a map. After a long hot day I reached the town of Buffalo. That is Buffalo, IN, not New York. I was asking around town where we can camp when I met Jim. Jim introduced me to his mother in law, Evelyn. Evelyn said we could camp in her yard. She called the local sheriff to let him know it was okay that we camp in her yard. As Evelyn said, "After all I used to baby sit the sheriff when he was a little boy". I sat there talking with Evelyn, Jim and Sherry, Jim's wife. We were waiting for Chuck and Myron to show up. Chuck showed up and Jim brought over his BBQ so I can cook a steak. A little while later Myron showed up. He had fallen a sleep under a tree and had two flat tires. It was about 8:30 when he showed up. Myron showed up just in time for HOMEMADE ICE CREAM. Much to our surprise and delight, Sherry made us homemade ice cream. What a treat. We are being treated like long lost family.  When we had our fill I showered and went to sleep. We awoke to fresh coffee and a huge breakfast being prepared for us by Evelyn. She is what I like to call a "ROAD ANGEL".

Day 184 - Tue. 7-16-02 - mileage today 47.3 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,446.55
From Buffalo, Indiana to Iroquois, Illinois

We have a history buff in our midst. Mike Kobella emailed me with the name of the president I was unable to remember. A few days ago I wrote about being in Fremont, Ohio. Fremont was the home of President Rutherford B Hayes. President Hayes was our 19th president. I have some sad news to pass along. A 41-year-old cyclist from San Jose, Cal. was hit and killed near Monroeville, Indiana.  This hits home for me. The cyclist is my age and from the same town where I was raised. I tried to get any information I could about the cyclist, while in Monroeville. I would have contacted his family to see if there was anything I could do while I was here. The people of Monroeville have long been friendly towards cyclist and felt really bad about the accident. We rode right past the accident sight about 5 days after the accident. It felt weird to know that, one of ours lost his life here. It was a short riding day today, which is good because it is hot and humid. We crossed into Illinois late today. We are directly below Chicago. If I were in Chicago, I'd like to meet Oprah. She is one person I'd really like to meet. We are in the small town of Iroquois. The town is very friendly. It is typical of a lot of the small towns we have passed thru. It is like stepping back in time. People don’t lock their homes or cars. They really don’t think of crime. It happens elsewhere, not here. We left our bikes and all our gear in the park for several hours while we wandered around town and had dinner. Guess what? Everything was still there when we returned. That would not happen where I live.

Day 185 - wed. 7-17-02 - mileage today 65.3 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,511.85
From Iroquois to Odell

We had cloud cover today which makes cycling easier. We all rode separately today. We all had a great day because; we all met a lot of people. I met people all along the way today. When I rode into Odell I saw a sign leading me to a historic gas station. It was built in 1932 and restored in 1997 to original. It was complete with an old pump and oil cans. It sits on the old Route 66 about 70 south of Chicago. President Truman once stopped in on his way to Missouri. While I was there I met Hoss, Bill, Barbara, John and Lenore. They were involved in the restoration. They saw me at the station as they drove by and stopped to give me a tour. I really enjoyed the tour I learned a lot. I also met the Mayor Ed Seal. We are camped at the city park. We are able to use the pool, showers and pavilion. This is yet another friendly town.

Day 186 - Thurs. 7-18-02 - mileage today 63.3 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,575.15
From Odell to Henry

GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66
We landed in Odell. Odell is on the famous Route 66 just about 70 miles south of Chicago. Route 66 is the old main cross-country highway that ran from the coast of southern California to Chicago. On the outskirts of Odell is an old restored Standard Gas Station. In fact it is on the National Registration of Historical Places.  It is the only gas station in the country that can boast that. The station was closed but to my good fortune Hoss drove up and gave me a history lesson. Then John, Lenore and Bill and Barb drove up. They were instrumental in restoring the station. John is also the author of a book on traveling Route 66. John opened up the station and gave me a tour. It is just another in a long line of great experiences this trip has blessed us with. Odell sits on the main line for Amtrak into Chicago. Once again it is a hot day. And once again Myron is having tire problems. I've been sticking close to him the past several days to help out with his flats. On our way to Henry we were cycling along when Bill drove along side Myron and asked about what we were doing. Bill pulled off the road and we talked for a short bite. Bill kindly offered us the use of his cabin about 15 miles up the road. It was a perfect place for us to spend the night.  We accepted Bills offer with delight and relief. Bill drove on ahead of us and opened up the cabin. Upon arriving to the cabin Myron discovers that he has lost his fanny pack. He carries his wallet, eyeglasses and other essentials in it. Myron spends the next hour trying to cancel cards. Bill shows up and offers to take Myron back to where he met us and look for the pack.
THANK YOU BILL FOR ALL YOU DID FOR US

Day 187 - Friday 7-19-02 - mileage today 68.5 - MILEAGE TO DATE= 7,643.65
From Henry to Cambridge


It was great to sleep inside last night. We had a fan to keep us cool. Yesterday Myron lost his fanny pack, containing his wallet, eyeglasses and other important items. He spent over an hour last night trying to cancel credit cards. This morning he thinks he may know where he left it, so we will go look for it. On our way into Henry to meet up with Chuck we stopped along side the road where Myron had conducted some business yesterday. Zowy, there it was, his fanny pack lying in the weeds.  That is a real relief for him. I know the frustration he was going thru. I recently lost my wallet in Maine. After breakfast Myron once again bought a 26" tire for his bike. Once again it was too large. We just don’t understand. He has a 26" wheel and has bought numerous 26" tires for it and they all worked fine. The last two you can pass the wheel right thru the tire. Myron has had many flat tires in the past several days, due to a bad tire. We continued down the road hoping the tire and tube will last. Well they didn’t. The tube finally gave up the ghost. Myron no sooner took his wheel off when Wayne drove up to see if he needed help. Wayne helped Myron load all his STUFF into the truck to take Myron to get a new tire. Along the way they picked me up. We rode about 8 miles into town and Myron got his new 26" tire at a Wal-Mart; and IT WORKED. As it turns out, there is a large difference in the inside diameter of a 26-1/2" tire and a 26.5" tire.
The 26.5" tire has a smaller inside diameter. CRAZY. Not only did Wayne give us a ride, he gave us water. It was really hot and we can’t drink enough." THANK YOU WAYNE"

Day 188 - Sat 7-20-02 - mileage today 65.4 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,709.05
From Cambridge, Illinois to Muscatine, Iowa

Our Fearless LEE-DER
Last night we had the good fortune to meet Lee. Our fearless LEE-DER. Lee helped us get permission from Rex the sheriff to sleep in the park. Rex offered us the use of the showers at the police station. We would have taken him up on the offer if it weren’t so late. It was after 10:00pm. We need our beauty sleep. Lee was kind enough to cycle with us to the park and make sure we got settled. As we got up this morning I saw Lee once again cycling around town. We went to the cafe and had coffee. Soon Myron showed up and we ordered breakfast. We wanted to bye Lee breakfast for all he did for us but, he bought us breakfast. Lee is a great guy. THANK YOU LEE.  After breakfast we cycled toward the Mississippi and Iowa. I found a great radio station that helped the hot day pass quick and fun. I crossed over the Mighty Mississippi for the second time on this trip. I went to Muscatine Iowa. I went to the police department to get permission to camp in the park. We camped at the riverside par! k. The park is a beautiful park that runs along the Mississippi. At night I took a walk along the beautiful walkway listening to Tony Bennett singing " I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANSISCO".

Day 189 - Sun. 7-21-02 - mileage today 0 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,709.05
From Muscatine to Muscatine

Day off in Muscatine
We got up to an warm morning. We decided last night to take today off. It is suppose to be a HOT day today. Chuck and I were sitting on a park bench enjoying the morning when Bob approached us and asked us about our trip. Bob invited us over for some coffee. Bob is a long time resident of Muscatine. We spent several hours talking over coffee. Bob still uses a percolator. I have long said that Percolators make the best coffee. All of us really liked Bob. Bob offered to drive us to lunch and to show us around town. Anyway to make a long story short Bob offered asked to stay the night. We were having such a great time we jumped at the opportunity. I have to say that; we all had a great time meeting and getting to know Bob. He is a true treasure. It is people like Bob that give us a lifetime of memories and make our trip complete.

Day 190 - Mon 7-22-02 - mileage today 59.7 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,768.75
From Muscatine to Wyoming

I DREAM OF ICE CREAM
Now what is that all about? Soon you will know. We had a great night sleep in an air conditioned home, courtesy of Bob. We got up and slowly packed. I don’t think any of us wanted to leave, especially Bob. We have had a great 24 hours but it is time to go. First, Bob wanted to take us to breakfast. We didn’t want to go and we wanted to treat Bob. So we went to one of Bob's hangouts. We lingered over coffee and hot cakes. But as I say we must go. We walked back to Bobs and said our good byes. Knowing full well that, this is most likely the last time we will see our new friend. I hate that part of this trip now for the I DREAM OF ICE CREAM
Myron and I cycled out of Muscatine with ice cream on our mind. With Bob's recommendation of stopping at the CANDY KITCHEN in Wilton, IA. The candy kitchen is on the National Landmark Registry as the oldest ice cream parlor in America. The Candy Kitchen first opened in 1867. The family that owns it now purchased it in 1910. Since than the Candy Kitchen has been opened 7 days a week 365 days a year. The present owners George and Thelma bought it from George's parents in 1949. They make all their own ice cream and candies George has been working there since he was old enough to walk. Thelma a family friend started working there when she was 10 years old. George and Thelma grew up and worked together falling in love with each other somewhere along the way. Over the years many celebrities have stopped in for a scoop. Myron and I both had a malt and Sunday each.  I cycled into Wyoming, IA. We were really fortunate to find a fairground right in town. We met Jim. Jim works at the bank and is also on the fair board. He stopped by to see if we needed anything. He also brought a bag of homemade Carmel corn for each of us.  We sat and talked with Jim and Shirley who is a reporter from the local paper. We really enjoyed talking with them. I really liked talking with some of the local teens that came over to see what we were doing. It is one of my favorite things to do is to talk to kids about traveling.

Day 191 - Tue 7-23-02 - mileage today 61.9 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,830.65
From Wyoming to Colesburg

Thanks to Jim I. We had a great night at the fairgrounds. I slept out with out a tent.  We are on our way to Dyersville, IA to see the" FIELD OF DREAMS". This is the field used in the movie. Along the way I stopped in to a small cafe called Grandma's in the town of Cascade, I had the dinner special; Goulash with salad vegetable, peach pie ala mode and coffee all for $3.68.  Grandma's is a place where all the locals stop in for an early dinner. The food taste like my MOM'S cooking. The linoleum floor is the same pattern that we had in our kitchen growing up in San Jose. It is the subtle reminders like this that bring back fond memories and Yes Homesickness. I finally made it to Dyersville where the movie FIELD OF DREAMS was filmed. The field is just as you see it in the movie. If you watch the movie look at first base. That is where I am. I also walked the outfield along the corn. The house is owned by the farmer and still lives in it. The field is a real baseball field in the middle of a corn field. It is just as you see it in the movie. When we arrived in Colesburg we met Jamie and his wife Dawn. We are sleeping at the park. Jamie offered to cook us breakfast in the morning.

Day 192 - wed 7-24-02 - mileage today 37.4 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,868.05
from Colesburg to McGregor

We had a GREAT breakfast prepared by Jamie and Dawn. It is incredible that people really go out of their way to do nice things for us. It was great to meet the family and share a meal with them. We had a shot day today. We are taking our time for the next several days. We have a friend flying from Taiwan to Minneapolis. Shiangold will cycle with us for a while. We are close to Minnesota so we are taking our time.

Day 193 - Thurs. 7-25-02 - mileage today 47.3 - MILEAGE TO DATE=7,915.35
from McGregor to New Albin

We had another short day today. It was a little rainy, good riding anyway. We stopped here so I can catch up on the journal and email. I was 5 days behind and about 20 emails behind. We rode all day along the Mississippi. It is a beautiful ride. Along the Iowa side of the river is a railroad track then a road just along side of the railroad. There were also a lot of trailers on the Iowa side. The Wisconsin side seamed to less populated and flatter than the Iowa side, which has high steep cliffs.