New York to California 2008

If you're ever in Goreville, IL go to Delaney's on Broadway. If you've
biked from real far they give you FREE pie!

As if this didn't make the town nice enough across the street at a
thrift shop a women offered me 20 bucks to buy myself dinner. I'm
proud of myself for not taking it.

First vegetarian place I've seen since Richmond. I'm starting to think
I might take a half day and stay here in Carbondale, IL.

I only went 29.3 miles today to end in Carbondale where I read "bike
surgeon" puts people up. Well that was a bum out. The new management
told me where the motels where. Overall I give that shop my first
thumbs down. Instead go up the block to Pheonox Bikes. I got a sweet
cup holder for 3 bucks.

So I'm going to enjoy my second night of luxury. Cooking with a microwave
in my room. And harvesting the continental breakfast.

43.8 miles

Did you know Popeye was made up by a guy Elzie Segar? Well he was and
Segar was from Chester, IL. And the people here love it.

I went to the popeye museum. And saw photos of the people from town
Elzie modeled all the popeye guys after. Wacky.

I've been at it one month now. I went 1569.9 miles. It feels like it's
going quick but at the same time when I think back about places I've
been through they seem like an awfully long time ago.

So far I regret not staying another night in Damascus, not buying this
t-shirt I saw for 50 cents, not taking enough photos, and not taking
that lady's 20 bucks.

From here it's about 20 days to my sister's in Denver and about 25-30
days from there to San Fransisco.

Thanks to everyone checking up on me.

This morning I crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri.

Truck traffic has been real heavy at times and shoulders have been
rare. I personally can not wait until gas runs dry and if I had the
chance I would set fire to the oil wells myself.

It's been a masacre out here, but today I finally saved one! This
little guy was right in the middle of the road. I took him down this
gravel road and then brought him a ways into some woods. It made my day.

Today I'm staying in Farmington, MO. 49.4 miles. They have an all you
can eat china buffet that I stayed at til they asked me nicely to leave.

46.3 miles to Centerville, MO.

Today I started hitting the Ozark Mountains, they aren't that bad. I'm at a library, it's 2 days with no phone, if I catch some wifi I'll post some photos.

Today I hit a storm that made any other rain I've had so far feel like a drizzle. I literally couldn't ride and the wind was ripping the bike out of my hands. Luckily this guy let me in his place and everyone there turned out to be a bunch of fun. I owe them a post card from California.

After an hour or so it cleared up. Also I rescued 2 more turtles from certain death.

44.4 miles. I'm at Eminence, MO. Lots of sports cars. I took in
burnout contest and adjurned to my tent.

44.3 miles.
Camping at Emmit Kelly Park on Houston, MO.

You give him shifty eyes like this.

This was a wacky pit stop.