Waken at 06:00 ... I've slept in! Missed a good hour of cool morning daylight. Started to pack up all my stuff when I heard this voice calling ... "Hello, good morning" ... it was Dave Salyer, the caretaker from the school and his boss. We had a pleasant chat and they invited me into their new school to have a shower, s••• and shave ... I felt really good and got on the road by 07:30. Thanks boys ... your hospitality is much appreciated. Cycled the 15 miles or so into the city of Lima ... people still friendly but the only reason I'm stopping is to get onto Wifi ... it's Verizon country here with very patchy T-mobile coverage.
I must look a sight for sore eyes ... legs are tanned, t-shirt is filthy, my face is red with 2 white patches around my eyes ... I'm like a scruffy panda! ... yet people keep coming up to me for a friendly chat.
Today is going to be very hot ... way up in the high 80sF but I'll try and stay out in it for a few hours and get acclimatised ... not sure about the humidity, but that's what really makes it hard. Just carry enough water to do ... apart from the extra weight it gets warm ... and drinking warm water is not too nice. Ice cold fresh water is the drink of the Gods!
Also surprised at the lack of litter on the roads ... there's the odd can lying around but nothing like home. Don't know if people behave themselves or whether council workers are employed to keep the place clean.
Hoping to make the Indiana border this evening ... even the name 'Indiana' excites me ... wonder when I'll start seeing real native Indians?
(checked in with the folks at home ... things seem to be OK ... technology is working a treat ... more or less!)
Told you I had the pic!
The extremely talented Paul and Terri Wittreich, Franklin, Pennsylvania.
David Kaufmann and his son Larry. True Christians ... lovely people and great ambassadors for their country. West of Akron, OH.
Farmer Dennis Cleland and his wife, outside Bucyrus.
These porta-loos on building sites come in useful. I really must make an effort to upload more pics.
Last run of the day should take me to Willshire and then to the border. On a straight, flat road passing hugh fields of sweet corn, wheat and soya beans. The weather forecasters have got it wrong ... a slight cloud cover doesn't let it get too hot ... I'm motoring well just a few miles to go when I pass this farm with a few folk sitting around ... I stopped to ask them for a fresh fill of cold water ... and guess what? Yup! I was offered a beer then a feed of boiled potatoes, salad and hotdogs ... then a few more beers, roasted marshmallows, a shower and a bed for the night. Can you imagine it ... I'm at the farm homestead of Tom & Chris Deillinger and being taken around to meet their friends. The hospitality of these people is unbelievable! Ohio has certainly been good to me ... I'm gonna miss this place. Did 58.6 miles and intended to do far more ... but this is what happens on a bicycle tour!!
I'll get all their names in the morning. It's late now 22:50 Zzzzzzzz!
Location:Lima, OH
3 comments:
Joseph,
Your blog is very interesting. You made my day as I was the only one working and was thinking, "Who am I going to talk to today?" And there you were. It was a pleasure to meet you. Have a safe trip to LA. I'll be keeping up with your progress.
So where do you think you'll be watching the 4th of July fireworks? Also I hope you are applying suncreen every few hours. I your are sweating heavily remember to reapply every 2 hrs.
Back from Kinsale delighted to get caught up with your progress ... you are certainly enjoying yourself . You have the makings of a best seller already ! Good luck .Keep safe ... mind the arrows ! Moira .
Post a Comment