May 15, 2023
Day 1 - ending near Atlanta, IL
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I finished gathering/packing all the gear for the trip on Saturday, for the most part, which surprised me. This time I'm using the "Adventure Duffle" I received as a retirement present. It's a little bigger than the bag I have been using. I needed the extra room for all the pills I need to take along!
So, except for second-thinking this-and-that, I had a restful Sunday.
I even slept-in until 7:00am this morning. Loaded the bike in the garage while my wife made a grilled chicken sandwich for me for breakfast.
After breakfast I took a picture of the squirrel-planted shingle oak tree that I transplanted to our front lawn in the fall of 2021. I'm hoping it does well while I'm away. If I remember, I'll post a picture of how well it's doing when I get back home.
After I declared I was ready to go is when I said, "Oh, I almost forgot my cap." "Oh, I need my mirror."
As I coasted down the driveway, my wife waved and smiled as she said, "One day at a time." I was on my way!
I'd planned a shorter day for this first day - just get to Hickory Lane Campground near Atlanta, a place I've stayed at twice before. But I'm going a different way to get there.
Of course, the first part was on roads I've been on before. My first planned break would be in Mackinaw - at the Mackinaw Family Restaurant, but it was 12:18pm before I got there. My months-ago planning had me eating breakfast here, but I wasn't that hungry now. After reading their sign, I decided to have a cup of strawberry ice cream and a slice of pecan pie. I was quite surprised at how my order was served - the ice cream on top of the pie. Easily fixed, and I'm all for keeping dirty dishes to a minimum.
Backing up, I have a routine now of recording how far I've made it by noon when I'm on a tour. Today's "noon report" is only 8.5 miles.
After my dessert stop, I headed east, going through Lilly at 1:25pm. A turn south later got me to Stanford at 2:53pm. Next stop, McLean. McLean is where I'd planned to eat supper - at Dixie Cafe. I arrived there at 4:03pm, still not very hungry. Figuring I could hold a couple of eggs and some bacon, I ordered that. Except it came with potatoes and pancakes! Now I am full.
Pleasant riding after supper to the campground - the overcast day was brightening up a bit.
I pulled into the campground at 6:34pm. When I walked into the office, Lisa, the campground owner said, "You've been here before." And she remembered I live in Morton! After thinking a while, she said that one of the times I stayed two nights. I said no, then checked. She was right (it was due to the weather) and that stay was back in 2015!
Camping for bicyclists is still $10 per night. And now they have free food on shelves and in their freezer. Sort of like our church's "Caring Cupboard". Lisa wished me a pleasant night and a safe trip as I left to set up where I did last time I was here - next to the maple tree.
I was at the site at 6:59pm. Tent set up and filled by 7:30pm.
On to picture selection and writing up today's journal entry. There's interesting [perhaps] stories that don't make the report, and grammar mistakes that do. What definitely needs to be in today's report is how overwhelmed I am with the good wishes, safe travel wishes, gifts, hugs, and prayers that have come my way. What a gift to me! Thanks!
Jeff
Spent: $5.88 plus $2 [tip] (pie, ice cream) + $12.79 plus $3 (supper) + $10 (campsite) = $33.67
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I used a pocket protector years ago, until I decided it was too nerdy.
At work before I retired, and even now when not on bike trips, I carry more than that in my shirt pocket. Add a Fluke voltage detector, a 6-inch steel rule, and a pencil. I finally stopped with the Ideal continuity tester after I lost it.
Jeff
11 months ago
Those are the hardest working front pockets I know.
11 months ago
Today's ride: 46 miles (74 km)
Total: 46 miles (74 km)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 8 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 4 |
Enjoying your trip with you Jeff.
11 months ago
Lisa's memory is just better than mine. It's always fun talking with her.
Jeff
11 months ago