DAY 13 SEYMOUR TO ST LOUIS TO CUBA MO

Grab your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder's rolling down the tracks
You don't know where you're goin'
But you know you won't be back
Darlin' if you're weary
Lay your head upon my chest
We'll take what we can carry
And we'll leave the rest

Big Wheels rolling through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams
Bruce Springsteen

Left Seymour heading west on 50 and before to long had entered a range of low mountains in western Indiana. This area bills itself as the limestone capitol of the world. Passed several limestone and gypsum processing plants along 50 but didn't see any quarries. The road continued to be interesting twisty two lane under sunny skies with very little traffic excellent morning ride.

After riding a while we entered Illinois and quickly found out why it's called the prairie state. Straight roads with lots of wind blowing from the south, made riding more tiring. In this area US 50 is used as a truck route and we had lots of trucks going the other direction made fighting the wind even more fun.

Just before leaving Illinois got onto the freeway crossed the mighty Mississippi and into St Louis. Quickly off the interstate the gps guided us right to the Gateway Arch. Spent about an hour or so at the arch very impressive.

Stayed on the interstate to get away from St Louis, rush hour was already in progress. I lead us southwest until we got to a town called Cuba where we stopped for the night.

We must have crossed at least two hundred rivers since leaving Phoenix, probably more. The bridges on these old roads are lower on the sides allowing you to look up and down the river. Many of them had very interesting names but other than the Miss, Ohio, Kentucky, and a few others I can't remember any of their names. Today however we crossed a bridge where the river below was aptly named. I saw the sign then glanced down and yep there it was Little Muddy Creek, they got it right.

DAY 13 (PART 2)

After breakfast this morning, just before we left for the day, tried to call Krys and she was at work which I had forgotten. This is usually my favorite time of the day the anticipation of a new day on the bike riding new roads, the packing up, giving the bike a quick once over, and heading down the road. Today it just didn't seem right I hadn't talked to Krys for a few days, everyone else did their obligatory call when we got in last night.

Threw a leg over and headed out, soon out of town switched on the radio. There was Billy Joel singing his heart out on the radio:

Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

Once again music makes the moment and the day was alright again.

On a different note I'm always amazed at the people that walk up to us and start a conversation. We meet some interesting people everywhere from the hotels to gas stations and restaurants. In the last few days I was approached by a guy who had a Harley but his wife sold it while he was in prison. An older gentleman in an electric wheelchair at the store today wanted to tell us about his trip on a Harley in 1954. Jan was talking to a guy who wanted to take a trip east on 50, he already had a bike. He had grown up on the road but never been to far out of town.

These people are a part of this trip also, part of the whole find America theme and add there own flavor to our trip. I know I often mention different people we meet as I'm constantly amazed by the waitresses, clerks, and others who talk to us. I Always expect them to be stereotypical for the area or job they fill but it just isn't so.

Each of these different people has much in common with us, we get the same TV shows, the same ads for new cars and deodorant. They all also have there differences allowing us to learn from our encounters and appreciate the geographical differences.

Well thats enough rambling it's past time for bed. On to Kansas City, weather permitting, to visit an old friend tomorrow.