DAY 19

Now the rowin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61.
Bob Dylan

Left this morning headed south on Dylan's Highway 61, after all we are just down the road from where he was born.

Eventually we crossed into Wisconsin riding the river road in that state then back west into Iowa, finally back into Illinois to finish the day. About 400 miles today almost entirely on the Great American River Roads. The day was overcast and in the 70's all day perfect riding weather for six friends on motorcycles.

We rode past several dams today that help control the flow and depth of the river, each is equipped with a lock to allow the boat traffic to pass the dam. Watched barges travelling upriver fighting the current and dozens of fisherman in every kind of boat imaginable negotiating the shallows fishing pole in hand. In Iowa there is an area which actually has a hill overlooking the river and we pulled to the side just to take it all in. Most of Iowa is so flat that they put caution downgrade ahead signs on the parking lot speedbumps.

I was leading trying to find the entrance to a motel and ended up stuck in a Taco Bell parking lot going the wrong way in the drivethru. Made it around the only car in the way poor lady looked very startled.

The Mississippi is very impressive as we head south, we aren't even to the biggest tributaries and the river is huge, I can't believe that two days ago I waded across 18 feet wide two feet deep and this is the same river. The Mississippi is the fourth longest river in the world and drains the US between the Rockies and the Appalachian mountains.