Crossing the Old Man

We left Iowa City and our good friends behind only to experience the thick of the storm and massive down pour. Before we left, we ate at my old dorm Hillcrest (a.k.a H-Block). H-Block delivered big with Hawkeye waffles and a buffet that included breakfast sandwiches, 10 choices of cereals, chocolate pancakes, muffins, and a variety of other foods that would provide the necessary fuel to take us into Illinois.

We crossed the Mississippi River with important sprint points up for grabs. Dave made an unecessary delay on a left turn, and I took complete advantage. My first sucessful attack in a long time put me in the Land of Lincoln well ahead of the slower Dave Palazzo. Unfortunately, Dave picked up some attacking animal points just before the border when a dog made a silent attack but was easily outrun by the cyclists. The attacking animals are getting smarter.

We road into the rain when a nice women stopped us and offered her home as a place to stay. After a short debate, we decided to continue to another 25 miles towards another town in order to take advantage fo a brisk tail wind. We arrived at our overnight town well past dark, wet and tired. Camping spots were nowhere to be found. Hotels were pricy as elementary aged gymnists flock into small-town Illinois for an important tournament.

We continued through town looking for a city park or anywhere for a place to sleep. But then we saw it. It was like a beacon of freedom glistening in the night illuminating the town with capitalism and low prices - always. Yes, Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart provided the pefect camp ground. We found a nice spot in the corner of the parking lot well out away from customers. The local high school football team was playing close to our camp site. We quickly set up shop, and I slowly dozed off to the sounds of marching drums, the winner of the 50/50 split ticket, and the occasional screams from high school girls as they cheered on their boyfriends in 40 degree temps and steady rain.

This morning we left our Wal-Mart heaven for a nearby hotel where we poached the free breakfast and managed to update the blog you just read over a warm cup of tea and a steaming hot waffle.