Our morning start delayed by the
trappings of civilisation (comfy bed, free coffee, swimming pool, Mc
Donalds across the road)-we didn't actually hit the road until 11:30.
Thankfully, what should have been the scorching part of the day was
comparatively mild. We had good cloud cover, a light breeze and
mercifully little traffic (Sunday is by far the best day of the week
for cycling). Matt expertly guided us out of Owensboro on the
treasure map he had drawn out by referring to Google before we set
out (as we were still 20 miles off our Trans Am maps.)
The roads followed gently rolling hills
through farmland; expansive crops of corn, soy, tobacco and cattle
pasture (no cowboys though). We passed a few Amish farms and a
traditionally dressed girl waved at us from the roadside; looking
more Little House on the Prarie than House of Fraser. Hand painted
signs advertised home-crafted furniture, baskets and home-grown
produce. A road sign (like the ones that indicate deer or kangaroos
in our homelands)- warned of horse and carts. Matt finds the romance
of the simple life appealing (but I think I'd miss the internet.)
An important milestone today was we
pedalled our one-thousand mile mark according to the bike computer
(not the battery-hungry Garmin; the good old Cateye on Matts'
handlebars.) We stopped to take a picture of the reading and the
fields we looked upon for that auspicious moment. Shall try to
remember to do the same when we hit two – and three thousand in the
wild wild West!
Yesterdays' rest day was fully
appreciated by the muscles in our legs; no dull aches when we set out
and they kept on going and going like the Energiser bunny. We reached
our original destination of Marion at 74 miles, yet I was keen to
continue cycling into the cool evening. Matt took some convincing
(specifically, a sandwich)-it's amazing how a little food will
motivate him to do anything! So we soldiered on into the golden
evening light, long shadows and deserted road; bound for our third
State; Illinois.
At the Ohio river, the natural boundry
between Kentucky and Illinois, we awaited the ferry crossing
alongside a few cars. The ferry journey took about 10 minutes, which
Matt spent fraternising with a curious family in the car beside us.
The concerned mother tried to explain to him that 'It's a long way to
San Francisco'. Matt humoured her and assured them we were taking our
time and vitamins!
The ferry clanked its' way onto the
riverside and so we were in State number three. Goodbye, mad dogs of
Kentucky (although I'm guessing they have cousins over here). More
4-legged foe than friend – and I love dogs!
A short cycle up the hill and we
arrived at the State campground. As it is pretty quiet, we are living
dangerously and camping in just the inner of our tent, to let the
breeze through. How successful this experiment proves remains to be
seen – watch this space!
No comments:
Post a Comment