Oct 13 Day 26

Yes I was a little grumpy last night and but after a few hits I did finally feel better.  I had a good night sleep and it was quite, however breakfast it was not up to standard as it was just some bagels and cereals. Lunch then was just some corn nuts and Swiss Rolls with coffee so dinner was Mexican that just barely  made up for the rest of the food during the day.  I am now having some whiskey and I think I might live.

Bluff south of St. Louis on the IL side of the river.

After leaving Collinsvilles we started a long run down some bike paths into Granite City.  Once in Granite City a Police car stopped and asked what the heck we were doing there.  We told him we off to New Orleans and explained the route we were taking  and he just looked at us like we were crazy.  But did confirm the direction we were going.  After another 5 miles meaning we went 20 miles the trail finally appeared before us.  The first step was to go 2.3 miles on State Highway 3 to East Louis.  This really required us to go 3.4 miles to the 9th street turn not signed in East St. Louis.  When David and I stopped and thought about the where we were, an unmarked police car passed us by and stopped just in front of us.  We rode up to car and passed in our direction.  The officer just shook his head and asked if this was a published route, we told him yes and he just shook his head again.  He then said we, "We might interesting at 10th street if the girls were working and it would best if we were out of by dark!!!"   We did get out of town without any problems although David did a little nervous about the industrial part of town but felt better after the Swiss Rolls and coffee.

The stop for the Swiss Roll stop was most interesting for a couple reasons.  The one armed bandits in the gas station and the customer (male) that arrived in pajama bottoms pulled down to his upper thighs displaying a pair of boxer shorts. 

The tail wind today was great and we covered 76 miles total and reached St. Genevieve MO, crossing over the Mississippi River at Modoc IL.  I like crossing the river on a ferry as reminds me of paddling down the river.

River from ferry when crossing river at Modoc

Once in town we toured the downtown build in 1790.  Our plan was to sleep at the downtown Hotel but that did not happen as it was closed today.  We therefore  peddled another mile to Triangle Motel, not a bad place to stay if you do not mind peeling paint and smoking rooms, with the benefit of cheap rooms and being close to town.

Thankful for today
David said on this section today the only answer is, "northwest wind gusting to 100 mph when traveling southeast".  Hopefully as we are planing to go north to meet the Dianne that wind stops blowing.  I am thankful for Dianne coming down to say hi.

Love and Kisses to all and to all good night.
Allan and David