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| Yorktown, VA to Farmington, MO Completed 1,253 miles |
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| Biking Detail Chester, IL to Farmington, MO |
Day 22 Tuesday, June 2
Slept in this morning. Had breakfast at the motel then headed back to Chester by car to start where we left off last evening. Took a few minutes to visit the Popeye Museum before jumping back on the bike trail. Chester is home to E.C. Segar, creator of Popeye.
First thing was crossing the bridge over the Mississippi to Missouri. Lots of truck traffic and narrow two lane! Margie followed behind me to keep the trucks off my tail! The bridge goes uphill for a bit, hit about 20mph but not fast enough for everyone. Had a nice little parade behind us when we got across but kept me safe!
Eight miles out of Chester the climbs began....a nice little 12% welcome to the Ozarks! Up and down....seemed to be mostly UP!
(The Ozarks, also referred to as the Ozark Mountains, Ozarks Mountain Country, and the Ozark Plateau, are a physiographic and geologic highland region of the central United States. It covers much of the southern half of Missouri and an extensive portion of northwestern and north central Arkansas.)
Why do they call them the Ozarks? My guess is the early settlers being very religious weren't permitted to say "Oh Sh*t" when they saw the hills, so they said "Oh Zarks" and the term stuck. Just my idea!
We finally have the Bike 76 signs back!!! Thank you Missouri! None in KY or IL!
MO must be a bike friendly state!
Passed several wineries and even a brewery and all closed M-W
Bad news for us because there was nothing on the route from Chester to Farmington...not even a gas station mini mart! Just outside of Coffman a farmer told us about the Crown Valley Brewing and Distilling Co (beer and root beer!) just 4 miles up the road. We got our hopes up but found it was also closed M-W. Farmers not patrons I guess. Margie fixed a picnic lunch in their parking lot and while we were eating their accountant, Lisa, came out to the mailbox. Invited us in to use the restrooms and gave us a quick little tour. Turns out the brewery owner also owns the Traditions Inn in Farmington we booked for tonight. Connected to the Inn is the Spokes Pub and Grill, serving all the beers, wines and root beer they make!! Her husband, Tom, manages the Pub so we have our dinner spot decided and can taste their beers! Amazing how many great people we have met along the way. Andreas is behind us today and looking to stay at the cycling hostel in Farmington tonight. If it doesn't look great he may join us at the Inn.
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| Looking a little tired this morning? |
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| At the Popeye Museum in Chester, IL |
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| This is Wimpy at the Popeye Museum |
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| The creator of Popeye |
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| Me as Popeye |
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| Margie as Olive Oil |
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| Leading the parade across the Mississippi |
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| We have the 76 signs back |
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| Wheat |
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| Grapes |
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| My new friend! Um good! |
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| Brew Pub in the middle of nowhere was closed |
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| Had a beer and peanut butter sammich here |
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| The Ozarks |
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| Still up and down |
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| Nice scenery |
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| Eat Mor Chikin |
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| Wineries but all closed M-W |
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