june 26 day 48 21 miles total 1,254 the great eastern adventure portion of my journey is dwindling away. i am only about 45 miles short of the mississippi river. called it early today after skipping around thunderstorms all day. the rain seemed to be spreading. seemed like a good Read more
june 25 day 47 27 miles total 1,233 this was a really challenging day. there was a lot of sand and gravel. the gravel road was the worst. hard packed dirt with loose gravels scattered across it mixed with stretches of plain old gravel. at this point the soles of Read more
june 24 46 days 26 miles total 1,206 got a little late start this morning. my stomach has its own ideas sometimes. but once on the road i felt like i moved pretty steady. another beautiful day in friendly illinois. finished it all off walking thru downtown rockford. what a Read more
june 23 day 45 26 miles total 1,180 i was sorry to have missed seeing much of anything in chicago (altho the chicago version of hash browns were fantastic and portillos all it was cracked up to be) but my first day in rural illinois was great. the last of Read more
june 22 day 44 30 miles total 1,154 started the day in another monsoon downpour. more of the endless chicago traffic and shoulderless roads. let no one claim that i handled it with grace and dignity…. by the time we reached the mosquito haven affectionately referred to as a bike Read more
june 21 day 43 24 miles total 1124 i lost a half hour to a little stomach disturbance another 15 minutes to beginning a rescue mission for my faithful companions walking stick and straw hat. then we walked right into the chicago monsoon. roads were flooded some closed sidewalks were Read more
june 20 day 42 27 miles total 1,100 how do i describe this day? words are inadequate. gary indiana was yet another post-apocalyptic landscape of collapsing buildings and vacant lots. huge industrial buildings sat empty. if you took away the traffic you could make end of the world movies there… Read more
june 19 day 41 29 miles total 1073 this was a great traffic day. much of the morning was spent strolling down our own private half of a 4- lane that had been barreled off for road construction. the truck drivers delivering materials had been seeing the troupe for two Read more