Day 46. Wenona, IL

Before we left Kewanee this morning, we checked all the weather reports we could find and got conflicting reports. Mostly though, it was supposed to be cloudy, with winds out of the SE at 4 mph. So we left feeling we could get our 80 plus miles in easily. We soon found out that the winds were much stronger, around 20-25 from the ESE. When we got to the town of Bradford, about 20 miles out, we stopped for cold drinks, as we were there the sky got darker and darker and the clouds were building. People were telling us that it was going to rain this morning. One lady even offered to take us were we needed to go. We graciously declined, chatted with her for a few moments, then as she was getting ready to head to her pickup, we all noticed at the same time that she had a flat tire. Just then it started raining. Pete helped her with her tire, and it started pouring. When Pete was done helping her, we geared up with our rain gear and headed out. The rain poured and the wind continued to blow, we did 43 miles in this rain and wind for a total of 63 miles today, and decided we had enough weather when we arrived in Wenona. They are calling for thunderstorms possible tomorrow. No matter what, we will try to get our mileage in, even if it isn't the goal amount.

Of Windbreaks, bugs and corn...
When we are cycling on windy days, every once in a while, the wind will just gently disappear, then we notice that some farmer had planted a wind break perpendicular to the road. As we ride past the end of the windbreak, BAM... a wall of wind hits us square on and reminds us that it is indeed windy. It is amazing how well those windbreaks work.

One of the harder aspects of this expedition for me has been the bugs that we have to deal with. Besides the mosquitos, gnats, and flies of all types, there have been a few other "buggy" incidents. When we were camping in Idaho, we had our cookware, panniers, and other things on the picnic table, then we noticed these little yellow things dropping from the tree, and looked and there were hundreds of little inch worms crawling over everything we had on the table! At another campsite, I was in the tent and had my stuff next to me but outside the tent. I looked over at my stuff and there were about 15-20 daddy-long-legs crawling over all of my panniers, shoes, helmet and tent!

It is interesting to see the corn in the early morning, the new leaves are all pointing upward, like they are ready to greet a new day and the sunshine. Later in the day the leaves are bent downward. The corn is starting to creep me out though, it is everywhere and it is taller than me and the leaves are starting to look like arms reaching out to grab me as I ride by!! (Obviously I have been spending too many days in the hot sun!!) - Alicia