Some rain must fall...Yes, this was actually a thought for a post prior to the events of July 19. So, endulge me and let's live in the past a bit...
On Sunday, July 18 I awoke in Mount Vernon, Illionois and checked the weather to find a vicious line of thunderstorms moving quickly towards St. Louis from the west. Being not more than 100 miles east of St Louis, I began the waiting and calculation game: If I hit the road as
planned before 9am, would I be in a safe place before meeting the storm? Would it come through Mt. Vernon? Could I dodge it by traveling further north or south than originally planned? It was packing 60-70 mph winds (near Category 1 hurricaine levels), wicked lightening and isolated reports of hail and possible twisters. None of this was anything I wanted to encounter on the bike.
And so it went for the next 4-5 hours. I decided staying put was the best option while watching numerous other bikers seek brief shelter from the rain at the gas station across from the hotel...they were heading east and would likely out run the storm.
Finally I checked out and rode west about 20 miles before pulling over in Ashley, IL (population 650) to grab some lunch at The Lantern Pub. I decided it was very likely the only restaurant in town. The moveable table and chairs enveloped by the brown paneling and black and white tile floor lead me to believe this was a line-dancing nightlife spot. They still called me "honey" and I thoroughly enjoyed the special: tomato stuffed with chicken salad.
The rest of the day was a relaxed ride across Illinois into Missouri and ultimately the city where I was eventually greeted by The Arch. That night as I walked to dinner where I met a delightful couple from New Jersey, I saw a man in a business suit topped off with a cowboy hat, and I knew I was officially in The West!
There was plenty of turning around for photos, at dead ends, and missed streets - all part of the experience. Mostly the day struck me as a reflection upon waiting...most noatably as it began with those threatening storms. I was so anxious to make up the distance I had fallen short on the previous day - as my previous plan was to arrive in St Louis on Day 3 so Day 4 could be spent off the bike in rest. Eventually you must give way to the mind and events of the road as they unfold in their own time...a difficult task for those of us with control issues.
Journey On!
No comments:
Post a Comment