Lincoln's hometown

       Slept in until 8:00am!  Pancakes with maple syrup, royal treatment all around. Christine and Karl Kohlrus have laid out the red carpet.  So many Warmshowers people have opened their homes to me.  I hope I can be as good a host when bicyclists knock on my door.  No less, Karl is riding with me out of Springfield to make certain I get onto the right Route 66 (there are three versions depending on the year).

       With the bike unloaded of all its heavy gear, Karl and I rode downtown. First stop, Lincoln's tomb, second stop, the railroad station where the funeral train arrived and third, the Lincoln museum.  This museum is one impressive place.  Three hours allowed me to see only part of the museum but what I took in was well worth the day off. As for Springfield, it has a nice feel even if the Illinois government is in political gridlock.  

      Topping off the day, Christine, Karl and dined at their yacht club on the shore of a large man made lake.  Nice place.  Just over a day with these folks and we are friends.  My house is their house.

       My batteries are at capacity and tomorrow I am off to Bloomington/Normal, Illinois.  I checked out a large wall map of the U.S. and I am amazed as to how far I have traveled.  Slow and steady, step by step, averaging over fifty miles a day has gotten me to where I am.  I pinch myself periodically, "Am I really riding across this huge country?"