July 26, 2025
Day 20 - ending at Nauvoo, IL
I got up out of this comfy motel room bed at 4:41am. Packed up some then went to breakfast at 6:15am. The breakfast preparer apologized, saying she'd slept late, and didn't have the eggs and sausages ready yet. So I started with other items and by the time I was done with those, I added an egg and sausage. I swapped out my Magellan MAP330 GPS with another unit that has the second half of my trip waypoints. This is an indication that I'm halfway done. I got the bike in and out of the elevator without a problem. A motel guest held the final outside door for me. On my way at 7:17am, following the MRT to get to Nauvoo.
There was rain in the area, mostly to the north. I was hoping that I'd go slow enough that maybe it would move out of the area or dissipate before I got there. I rode down Quincy's 4th Street with my brakes on to Front Street, then turned north. What a flat road I was on, and it stayed that way all the way to Warsaw. Before I got there, a few sprinkles and a check of the radar convinced me that I should get the cargo ready for rain, which I did. I had my rain coat and rubber boots ready when they'd actually be needed.
I passed a place that sells eggs. All the chickens came running toward me when I stopped to get a picture. I listened to WCOY, 99.5 MHz out of Quincy for a while this morning until I lost their signal.
At 8:59am I turned west on CR-2150N. It definitely looked like rain that direction. After a mile I turned back north onto CR-500E. Looked like rain ahead in that direction also. At 10:05am I crossed the county line (Adams to Hancock), and it started to sprinkle. By 10:10am I had my raincoat, rain pants, and rubber boots on. It wasn't a terribly heavy rain like the last rain I rode through, but it was steady. I really wasn't too concerned though. I think that was because my boots were protected now, and would stay dry. This road is in such great shape and so flat that I was making good time, even through the rain. I was a little concerned about lightning, but it really wasn't intense or that close.
I finally made it to Warsaw. The road was still flat down along the river, then it turned right to go up a hill. I had to walk that. By the time I was in downtown at 11:48am, the rain had stopped. Jennifer's Family Restaurant was ahead. I parked the bike there just as the noon alarm went off. 31.9 easy miles this morning. I ordered a hamburger with applesauce and potato salad for the two sides that come with it. They let me charge my phone while I ate, which was helpful.
At 12:58pm I was on my way out of Warsaw on North 6th Street. Hamilton is the next town, only about 3 miles away. There I connected up with IL-96 at 2:00pm. This highway along the river sometimes has a shoulder and sometimes doesn't. I was pulling off to the side more than I expected. Also there are a few gentle hills, and lots of scenic pull offs. The MRT User Guide puts it this way, "Route 96 gives great views of the river and has many turn-offs, which may be welcome after dealing with the hills." It wasn't that bad. I did stop at most of the scenic turn offs, but was only somewhat successful at getting great-view pictures.
At 4:06pm, just south of Nauvoo, I left IL-96 to get the Camp Nauvoo. I chose this place over the state park because they have wifi, and it's cheaper ($7 tent camping with electricity). The place is run by a church; I didn't realize that until I showed up. I'm getting to where I don't like setting up the tent under a tree, but that's the only option here if I want to use my extension cord. I decided to do without electricity in the tent tonight, and set up at a flat spot in the open. Also, The wifi doesn't reach back here to the tent area. Some things you just don't know about until you actually get there.
With the tent up and the bike empty, I rode into town for supper, which I had at Brasileida Tropical Cafe. I ordered a pork sandwich with chips and a lemonade. Next I headed west to get a picture of the Mormon Temple, and southwest to see some of the buildings in Old Nauvoo. The sun eventually came out this late evening, so that rain missed us. I don't mind that. I was back at the tent at 7:51pm. Time to sort pictures and write an evening report. I'm falling asleep trying to do that, so we'll see how this reads.
Jeff
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Today's ride: 48 miles (77 km)
Total: 815 miles (1,312 km)
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