to Carterville:

August 11, 2017

Reconnecting with a friend

No rangers come to harass us from our picnic shelter, they are probably short staffed too. We are awakened several times by a persistent raccoon that is trying to get into trashcans. The cans are solid, but that does not stop the raccoon from coming back several times during the night for another try.

We get up just as the day breaks, pack-up and are ready to ride once it is light enough. Through Metropolis we make two stops for photos with Superman, once at the welcome sign, once at the "giant superman statue". We are reminded of Will AKA Super Cycling Man http://supercyclingman.com/ who is still on his ride around the world, currently in Malaysia.

The next 40 kilometers go through Illinois farmlands towards Vienna Illinois. There are huge fields with soybeans and corn. There is a thick cloudcover this morning, a hazy fog hangs over the rolling fields.

In Vienna we have to go about a kilometer off our route to find the cafe, but the huge breakfast it worth it. Just as we set off again a rainstorm breaks, but we do not mind riding in the rain in this temperature. After a jog west we turn north again on highway 37 which takes us to Goreville, then only a little further to Carterville.

Our friend Anita lives in Carterville and we plan to spend two days here to recuperate and do some maintenance. The first evening is spent catching up on things, and going to Carbondale for pizza and beer at Quatro's, a tradition.

Metropolis, home of Superman. We think about our friend "Super Cycling Man", still riding in Asia.

The famous Superman statue in Metropolis.

It is an overcast day in Southern Illinois. Nice light on the fields though.

More rolling hills and forests between the fields.

Our second breakfast before the onslaught.

Old train station on Vienna. They have created a biketrail here and are promoting bicycle tourism.

We recently read the book "American Gods" and in it the main character made fun of Illinois of having signs at each small town boasting about it's teenagers athletic accomplishments. It is true, this town performed rather well.

We arrived at our friend Anita's house in Carterville.

Pizza and beer at Quatros. This place has been here for many years.

Today's ride: 93 km (58 miles)
Total: 37,145 km (23,067 miles)

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