(photos: find Stephanie among the sunflowers; Loretta and her helpers; Regina and her Snickerdoodle cookies)
Breakfast was served at the dining hall starting at 6. It was a challenge for everyone to get there, and to pack the truck after a rest day. Didn't leave campus until 7:30. It was warm (mid 70's by 8:30), a bit hazy and humid. The day's route was mostly flat with gentle rollers in some sections. Rural settings, interspersed with small towns along highways 2 and 3. Rode with Rosie most of the day. The stated distance was long (110 miles) and I just decided to make a full day of it. Our destination was a campground in a small town - so no big rush. Better to enjoy the sights along the way.
In Lakeville (mile 47), I noticed a couple of outside of a small coffee shop to the right of a busy intersection. Saw Seattle's Best Coffee signs in the window. Bob and Kathleen had stopped and were enjoying ice cream (just 3 scoops for Bob) and a coffee drink (Kathleen). I went in, surveyed the options and ordered an espresso shake. What a great treat! The proprietress insisted that it be topped with whipped cream and drizzles of syrups. Well, if it would make YOU happy...
Rosie ordered a cold blended coffee drink - again, capped with calories. Quality refueling.
Stopped around mile 50 to make a sandwich at Mark's table - set up in a vacant lot. Didn't end up eating the pb&J until I reached camp. Too many other treats were coming up...
Around mile 61, we noticed an increased presence of Mennonite and Amish households/farms. Buggies on the road (or in driveways), work horses in small pastures, and orderly lines of simple clothing, flapping in the breeze on the clotheslines. We spied a small sign on the side of the road - Big Rider stop. Up ahead, Loretta Miller (a local Mennonite woman) along with 2 younger family members, had set up a table with homemade cookies, cold water, and ice cold milk. She was ready for us. All she asked in return was that we provide her with our names and addresses so that she could send us each a letter. "And you need to send me one back. That's all. Just one.". Gladly, just please pour me another cup of that cold milk.
Farther down the road, we noticed a sign - Spike's Woodworking. Rosie stopped to take a photo as she knows someone with that name. As soon as we pulled over, we noticed a little girl emerge for the house on the property, look at us, and run back inside. Shy one she was. But she quickly returned, running out to us with fresh snickerdoodle cookies in her hands - cookies that she had just made herself! We gratefully accepted them and asked if we could take her picture. Yes, that would be ok. Within a few minutes, Regina's entire family (2 sisters, a brother and her parents) had come out to the roadside to learn about our ride and to tell us a bit about themselves. We had a great time talking with them - and Doug and Patti rode up to see what was going on. A regular party!
Finally rolled into camp around 5 - but it was actually 6, as we had moved into another time zone.
Dinner was being prepared for us at a campsite pavilion by members of the Kendalville Park and Rec Dept. I quickly set up my tent, and went to eat dinner. Then took a shower and had a bit of leisure time in camp before it was time to crawl into the sack. A long day, but very enjoyable.
In Lakeville (mile 47), I noticed a couple of outside of a small coffee shop to the right of a busy intersection. Saw Seattle's Best Coffee signs in the window. Bob and Kathleen had stopped and were enjoying ice cream (just 3 scoops for Bob) and a coffee drink (Kathleen). I went in, surveyed the options and ordered an espresso shake. What a great treat! The proprietress insisted that it be topped with whipped cream and drizzles of syrups. Well, if it would make YOU happy...
Rosie ordered a cold blended coffee drink - again, capped with calories. Quality refueling.
Stopped around mile 50 to make a sandwich at Mark's table - set up in a vacant lot. Didn't end up eating the pb&J until I reached camp. Too many other treats were coming up...
Around mile 61, we noticed an increased presence of Mennonite and Amish households/farms. Buggies on the road (or in driveways), work horses in small pastures, and orderly lines of simple clothing, flapping in the breeze on the clotheslines. We spied a small sign on the side of the road - Big Rider stop. Up ahead, Loretta Miller (a local Mennonite woman) along with 2 younger family members, had set up a table with homemade cookies, cold water, and ice cold milk. She was ready for us. All she asked in return was that we provide her with our names and addresses so that she could send us each a letter. "And you need to send me one back. That's all. Just one.". Gladly, just please pour me another cup of that cold milk.
Farther down the road, we noticed a sign - Spike's Woodworking. Rosie stopped to take a photo as she knows someone with that name. As soon as we pulled over, we noticed a little girl emerge for the house on the property, look at us, and run back inside. Shy one she was. But she quickly returned, running out to us with fresh snickerdoodle cookies in her hands - cookies that she had just made herself! We gratefully accepted them and asked if we could take her picture. Yes, that would be ok. Within a few minutes, Regina's entire family (2 sisters, a brother and her parents) had come out to the roadside to learn about our ride and to tell us a bit about themselves. We had a great time talking with them - and Doug and Patti rode up to see what was going on. A regular party!
Finally rolled into camp around 5 - but it was actually 6, as we had moved into another time zone.
Dinner was being prepared for us at a campsite pavilion by members of the Kendalville Park and Rec Dept. I quickly set up my tent, and went to eat dinner. Then took a shower and had a bit of leisure time in camp before it was time to crawl into the sack. A long day, but very enjoyable.
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