September 15, 2011
Day 17 - ending at Morton, IL
rode on El Paso Bike Trail (Illinois)
Posted via email Fri Sep 16 06:32:02 2011 PDT
Awake at 6:18am after sleeping well. Packing went quicker since the bike was still half-loaded. Called Tahdra at 8:00am and had fun talking for about twenty minutes. Left at 8:45am, heading west on Route 116. Stopped at Burger King and ordered their BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter and coffee. Met two guys as I was leaving (at 9:40am) who were really impressed with my trip. Made me feel good.
A perfect day for riding - cool, sunny, and the wind blowing me home.
Not many turns on today's route, which I decided on using the bicycle maps. Took Route 116 west to CR-1200E, then south to CR-1400N. Going west on this road took me all the way to the Woodford County Line (at 11:52am).
Continued west to CR-2800E. Then I turned south toward El Paso. Connected up with the El Paso Bike Trail on the north side of town at 1:00pm. At Route 24 in town I diverted east to the El Paso Quick Stop for a soda and bag of cookies, which I drank/ate at the south end of the trail. I didn't feel quite so rushed today, since I wouldn't be setting up the tent tonight. So while sitting there I also caught up on some replies to email messages I'd received.
Finally left at 2:25pm. South two miles on Route 251 set me up for another long stretch west, this time on CR-800N.
Arrived in Eureka at 4:12pm. I was in familiar territory now, having made the trip between Eureka and Morton several times. Took a break at Eureka Lake, as I always do. Got to talk with the woman who runs an honor-system bait stand on the north side of the lake.
Left Eureka at 4:55pm, following my favorite route to Morton (using Irish Lane). Finally saw some harvest work going on.
Arrived home at 6:42pm. Tahdra was away working at Morton's Pumpkin Festival, but Isaac was home, and took a "I'm home." picture for me.
Later I went over to visit with my friend Jim for a while. Made up with Jim's dog Sandy with lots of petting for being away so long.
Back home I unpacked some and got a shower.
Tahdra arrived home with a piece of pumpkin pie for me from the festival. It's great to be home.
Spent: $5.62 (breakfast) and $3.20 (afternoon snack).
Went: 62 miles
Jeff
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+ plus signs indicate pictures added after returning home from the trip +
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+ I halfway got run off the road, and halfway ran myself off the road, because of a truck that didn't want to stop at an intersection. Through a ditch and back up, here's a picture from where I ended up: +
Today's ride: 62 miles (100 km)
Total: 762 miles (1,226 km)
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