Reporting on: Thursday, June 11, 2009

Riding Route: Champaign to Crawfordsville, IN

Temp and Winds: Getting Casual here huh? Both were great!

Elevation Climb: 2400 feet

Miles Today: 79

Today was another great day! However, it didn't begin that way! In the very eary hours of the morning we were awakened by a very violent thunder, lighting and rain storm. When we met for breakfast the rain was pouring down and all of us had moderately sad faces! By the time we assembled for our ride (which was an hour later than normal because we had just passed through another time zone) the rain was over and the sun was peeking through the clouds.

At the appointed time we all showed up in front of the hotel ready to ride. Yesterday I told you about the helmet decorating challenge. Everyone made an effort - some more than others. As you can see in the picture above I was voted "Most Patriotic"! Most of us removed the decorations before we left. Nancy rode with her decorated helmet all day - and received lots of attention as we passed through each town. It made for great conversation ...especially in Veedersburg where we had lunch.

We crossed the Indiana State line - our 8th State Crossing - (9th State - picture above). Another milestone for us! Can you believe we only have 17 more days? If the answer is no, I can't either! It's going way too fast! Carol told me there was a great article in the News Gazette in Champaign today on Champ and me. I was lucky to slide in with him - a native of the area! More great publicity for the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Assn. and our challenge to raise money for the Scholarship Fund.

The remainder of the day there was NO rain, NO wind...but lots of humidity. Althought we had 2900 feet of elevation climb today, none of us felt it! It was a fun and easy day of riding. We had great roads, lots of little Indiana towns - and beautiful farm country! There were new crops of corn and soybeans everywhere we passed. Because of the late rains, everyone told us that the crops were planted extremely late this year also. We moved along at 16-17 mph and it was a comfortable pace.

Can you believe the sign as we entered Hillsborough, IN? (Above) Also, one of the small towns we passed through today was Waynetown, IN. There is an old Pioneer Cemetery there - where William Bratton is buried. Many of you know I'm a Lewis and Clark expedition fan - and Willaim Bratton (1778-1841) is buried there. With a US Army rank of private, he joined Lewis and Clark Expedition's Corps of Discovery near Clarksville, Indiana 1803. The Corps explored lands of the Louisiana Purchase and Pacific Northwest. He was a hunter, blacksmith and saltmaker. He completed the entire journeyand was discharged October 10, 1806. He may have had a minor position - but he helped make the journey successful!

More tomorrow!