Day 51, Loetto to Berea, 88 miles

7-30-2019
Stormed and rained last night and breakfast didn't get served until 8am.  So had a bit of a later start than I'd like for this distance.  Met a couple from Nebraska (Jim and Carol, who were resent retirees.  Loretto is where Makers Mark Whiskey is made and they had a tour yesterday.  Nice couple.
Anyway,  a lot of farmlands today and of course, cows.  I stopped briefly in bryantsville to glance at the map when a woman from the "The Last Stop BBQ" called out asking if i wanted a cold water.  It was humid as all get out today, so yes, I'd like a water.  Ahhh.  Finally got to Berea about 5pm.  Long, hot humid day.
Decided on a hotel for the night.

I feel like I should be climbing
Only about 50 miles from the red.

Loretto, home of Maker's Mark 

Yup, cows...

I'm not the only one that likes cows.
Harrodsburg, KY

Faster than a speeding bullet!
Just what does that mean?

Herrington Lake, really a reservoir folks...

Saved another one, I hope...

More farms

Afternoon storms possible...

Day 50, McDaniel to Loetto, 82 miles

7-29-2019
Shaun and Mikey stayed at the airstrip last night,  so really didn't get to say a formal goodbye.   Safe journey gentlemen. 

Started early today due to forecasted temps near 90.  Encountered my first real dogs about 4 miles into to the ride today too.  Over the course of the day had 3 more encounters.   I can handle dogs.  I just start riding at them.  I don't think they expect that.  I also yell various vulgar things and I think they know that I mean what I say...  Met John headed WB and he said he had to get off his bike several times.  We'll see.

Got rid of a bunch of extra gear today.  Another 5 lbs off the bike. 

Staying at a bed and breakfast tonight in Loretto.  Supposed to have a chance of rain tonight and tomorrow.  (Thanks Mom)

More Cows!

Today I decided to take church pictures

Sonora, KY

Day 49, Sebree to Axtel CG (McDaniel), 76 miles

Started the day with Shaun and Mikey, But ended up riding the rest of the way on my own.  Not too much different today in the landscape.  Less cows.  Was going to stay at the Rough River State Resort Park, but camping was at the barren air strip.  I couldn't bring myself to staying with no shade so moved onto the Axtel COE campground 5 miles further down the road.

Didn't take many photos today.

Shaun

Rough River Reservoir 

These are all over western KY,
Can't agree more...

Day 48, Cave-In-rock, IL to Sebree, KY, 56 miles

7-27-2019
Slept great last night and with only 55 miles to go today, slept in late.  Grabbed the ferry across the Ohio and voila, I was in Kentucky.  Easy ride through some farmlands today.  Ran into Dom, who was EB.  He said that dogs, redneck in trucks, and hills would be coming my way soon.

Ended my day in Sebree at the First Baptist Church Cycle Hostel.   Great place that has been hosting for 30 years.

PS - Bob texted me that he broke his rim...  he is hoping to things fixed in Farmington.

Ohio River ferry

Back to cows...

Thank you Sebree FBC

Bob's wheel.  Missouri rumble strips
Might have been part of the problem.

Day 47, Little Grassy Lk to Cave in Rock, 80 miles

7-26-2019
Cool and humid this morning.  Definitely notice this now.  I ran into 2 eastbound riders at a convenience store so rode with them (sort of) today.  Shaun and Mikey were from Reno and left from their front door.  Not too much different today, so not many pictures.  Camped at Cave in rock on the Ohio river.  Tomorrow is Kentucky...

Cave in rock seems to like bikes

That's about it

Day 46, Farmington to Little Grassy Lk, 106 miles

7-25-2019
This was supposed to be a 90 mile day.  Not sure where the discrepancy lies.  Anyway, rolled out of Farmington and into the Mississippi river valley.  The bridge over the Mississippi was narrow and potholes, but no where to go so just pedal.  Into Illinois.   Chester is home to Popeye...   I took the levee alternate, which was interesting.  Downside was the coal trucks on Rt 3 trying to make up for the floods.  Lots of them.   I ended my day at the Little Grassy Lake campground.

Grape vines, something different

Adding a horse for something new

Mississippi river valley

Chester  bridge

Not you Luety...

Proud of their Popeye heritage 

No water, but close

What is this?  I guess we are
supposed to ride in the ditch.

Little Grassy Lake

Day 45, Ellington to Farmington, 61 miles

7-24-2019
What!?  Only 61 miles?  Along the way you meet other cyclist headed westbound and they give you info of what lay ahead.  One of those was that i had to stay in Al's Place, a hostel run by the city of Farmington.   This place is by far the nicest stay over yet.   Apparently it is an old jail, but only my bike is locked up at the moment.

Todays ride continued through the Ozarks.  A few hills, but less steep than yesterday.  Not much to look at, but the cows are diminishing.   I'm pretty close to crossing the Mississippi,  so maybe that's it. 

Redneck country

I am Ironman!

Fort Davidson near Pilot Knob

Al's Place, Farmington, MO

Taj Mahal of bike hostels