Day 30 Streator to Watseka Illinois

 85 miles of a near identical ride as yesterday.  Nothing much different to see or report on. Straight, flat country roads lined with corn fields, wheat fields, barley and soy. Tomorrow is Indiana and eastern time zone. 

Another dilapidated barn.

Welcome to Watseka 

Day 29 Kawanee to Streator Illinois

 Shorter day of 70 miles as I enter the last 10 days of cycling before meeting up with my fellow Anchor House riders. Prior to the Anchor House ride I will have a 5 day rest up period with Linda joining me in Cumberland Maryland. The route today was not only flat but straight as well. A little up and down would be welcomed. 

Windmills were turning today 

Amber waves of grain 

Day 28 Muscatine Iowa to Kewanee Illinois

 Quick stop in Iowa, crossing the Mississippi one last time as I begin to head east. First state is Illinois. Not a big difference from Iowa.  Corn fields and flat, flat, flat. Darn near boring flat as the woman at the convenience store proclaimed. And no more long days as the temperatures rise and the winds subside. 

Morning clouds 

No wind. 

Heading east and the final push. 

Day 27 Dyersville to Muscatine Iowa

 99.75 miles of manageable rolling country roads. First stop, Field of Dreams movie set. I arrived even before it officially opened to snap a couple of photos. Met a father and son who were cycling around the country visiting 30 major league games to raise money for St. Jude hospital. 

Day 26 Prairie Du Chien Wisconsin to Dyersville

 A semi rest day of 55 miles. I needed to race ahead of an impending rainfall that was to carry on throughout the day. As I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel the rain drops began to fall as predicted. 

Iowa corn fields as far as the eyes could see.

Day 25 Winona MN to Prairie Du Chien Wisconsin

 A 94 mile ,3 state adventure. Beginning in Minnesota, crossing state line into Iowa, crossing the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. Went off route to save still another River crossing to stumble on a paved cycling path. All in all another stunning day of cycling as I turn more eastward through Illinois. 

Asphalt bike path 

History lesson 

Day 24 Prescott to Winona Minnesota

 Strataling the upper Mississippi River today for a 90 mileblast.

Crossing the Mississippi river again 

Unusual use for old skis.

Bridge leaving Prescott 

Early morning mist

Signpost for river road. 
. Another early start to beat the prediction of a thunderstorm at 3pm which didn't happen until 8PM . Biked on the Great River Road, as it is known. It's positioned on the Wisconsin side of the river and covers 250 miles.  Very similar to our river road along the Delaware