Day 24 – Land of the Free, Thanks to the Brave

Chester, IL to Farmington, MO – 48 Miles

Yesterday we woke up really hot and a bit groggy.  Those boys at the F.O.E. (Fraternal Order of the Eagles) know how to have a good time.  We were up until about 1 am playing songs on the juke box and talking about our journey so far.  The AC in the room we were staying in definitely wasn’t working, so it was incredibly hot and humid when we woke up.  So hot I decided I needed a shower, especially because I hadn’t taken one when I arrived yesterday.

After a shower we rode a couple blocks to a local bakery, but it was closed.  I decided to grab some Hardee’s for breakfast.  After that we packed up and were on the road by about 9 am.  On the way out-of-town we took the opportunity to grab some more Popeye photos.

I took the opportunity to grab a welcome to Illinois picture since I didn’t see a sign when I got off the ferry across the Ohio River.

Next we crossed the mighty Mississippi into Missouri.

Had a great time riding through Illinois – the people were great, the dogs were domesticated, and the terrain was pretty tame.  After today, I think Missouri will more than measure up to Illinois.  I didn’t take any pictures, but the terrain has been beautiful.  The people have been incredibly friendly which translates to better traffic interaction, and the Route 76 signs are back!

Keeping in perfect theme for the day we saw our first bald eagle of the trip.  It gave me chills to watch him soar through the air with the incredible back drop of the Missouri valleys.  It got me to thinking about war and freedom and all that stuff.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about war.  I like to believe that humans are more intelligent and capable of finding a way to resolve our differences that doesn’t involve killing each other.  The irony isn’t lost on me that until a couple of months ago I worked for a defense contractor that designs and manufactures engines that go on some of the aircraft the military uses to carry out its missions today.  I would typically rationalize it with the fact that I’d rather have our government have the technology than any another, and that if I didn’t do the work someone else would.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved my job.  I got great satisfaction out of working on some of the most technically advanced machines in the world, but there was always this hypocritical feeling to it when I really started to think about my feelings with respect to war.

I think the majority of people would agree that war is a terrible thing, but I know that I am incredibly grateful for the security that it has afforded me living in this country.  I’m grateful that I can decide to ride my bike across this vast land with nothing more than what I can carry and not worry about armed militias or unexplored roadside bombs.  I know that this kind of security isn’t a reality everywhere in the world.  Likewise, I’m grateful for all the men and women who have sacrificed to maintain that security.  Whatever your feelings are with respect to war, it is incredible to think about believing in something so strongly that you are willing to give your life for it, and possibly have to take someone else’s.  I’m not sure that given the opportunity I would have the strength to make those choices, so I am tremendously indebted to those who voluntarily take on the situation.  THANK YOU VETERANS.

After a few more hills we ended up making it a pretty short day and decided to stop in Farmington, MO.  The city parks and rec department runs a Trans Am cyclist hostel here called Al’s Place.  It’s maintained in memory of a local cycling enthusiast who lost his battle with cancer a few years back.  It’s in the top-level of the original jail for the county.  Really cool building and although everything is modern, appliances, A/C, bathrooms, etc. they maintained the original architecture and feeling of the building really well.  It is by far the best public accommodations I’ve had on the trip, second only to gracious Warmshowers hosts who have opened their homes to me.  They even have a grill outside, so keeping true to the holiday we spent the afternoon grilling, eating, drinking, listening to music, and tossing the frisbee around.

It’s really cool that a small town in Missouri has embraced the cross-country bike route that runs right through its downtown to such an extent.  You can feel it in the welcoming attitude of everyone you meet.  We felt so much at home, in fact, that we decided to spend another day relaxing here in Farmington.  Dries is about a day behind us and should arrive sometime today.  Tomorrow we head out again.  I’m going to take a slight detour from the route to bag Missouri’s highpoint, Taum Sauk.  Actually kind of looking forward to getting back on the bike!