Ottawa, Illinois

We've not found too many libraries along our route, so here are a few highlights. We are now biking along the Illinois River and enjoying a break from the hot weather. We've got some nice pictures to share, but first we need to find a one hour photo shop! Small town America can still be found our here and it's a nice thing to experience even if that means a lack of those conveniences we tend to take for granted.

Monday
We crossed into the Central Time Zone.
Later that same day we crossed into Illinois and stayed in the city park in Askum, Illinois. A couple from Minneapolis, Minnesota were also staying there. The mayor had given us the keys to the restroom for the night and shown us where to drop them off in the morning. The town police officer stopped by to say hello and the man across the street told us to stop by if we needed anything. This town is along the Adventure Cycling map series so crazy cross country cyclists are not a new thing for them.
I got to experience my first thunderstorm in a tent. Quite an impressive light and sound show when viewed from the inside of a tent!

Tuesday
Marseilles, Illinois along the Illinois River
Another hot day for cycling. People all thought we were crazy to be out on the roads, and maybe we were. We are sampling each and every flavor of Gatoraid and Poweraid!
Along with the heat was a strong and gusty southwest wind. So we decided it was a very good day to head northwest. Illinois roads are set up in a grid pattern so we stair-stepped our way to the final destination. Traveling north was fun - but traveling west was another story!
Trip mileage = 560 miles!!!!!

I've reached and exceeded my computer time limit at the local library, so the story will continue another day.