DAY 5



We all woke up with eager anticipation of leaving and continuing the ride with J.B. We all got up at different times and sat around the dining table talking, drinking coffee and, again, talking about Bruce. :) Eventually we had a quick breakfast of fruit, muffins, juice, coffee and English muffins. We started to pack up our Motors, keeping a watchful eye on the sky. It was overcast and cold, however, it wasn't raining. With J.B. in the lead, we left at 9:15 AM. We headed 1 mile away to gas up. We were only there gassing up for 5 minutes before we left at 9:23 AM.



Knowing the town as he does, J.B. lead us out and we were making good time and distance. I was second in line behind J.B. and then it happened! I needed "to go!" For breakfast, I had three large mugs of coffee before leaving. IT WAS TIME! Chuck was wrong about what he said last week. It wouldn't take me only 20 miles out. It took 49 miles before we stopped in Lexington, MO. at 10:19 AM. I had ridden up next to J.B. and told him to make a quick pit stop ASAP. We arrived at a gas station where I quickly went inside for the restroom, with others following. I later apologized to Chuck for drinking so much coffee before we left. We continued at 10:38 AM.



J.B. was leading us on Highway 24, a two lane road, and we arrived at a junction with Highway 65. Unfortunately, we took a wrong turn and instead of staying on Highway 24, we went on Highway 65. We had traveled for approximately 40 miles on Highway 65 thinking that we were still on Highway 24. J.B. stopped in Chillicothe, MO. at 11:42 AM after riding for 49 miles to check the map. After looking at the map, we realized that although we made a wrong turn, we were able to get on Highway 36, which was also a 2 lane road and a straight shot to link up with Highway 24 after about 98 miles. After looking at the time and listening to our stomachs growling, we rode to a nearby Subway and had lunch. After lunch, we put our jackets back on as the temperature was in the lower 40's. We left at 12:42 PM.



We continued eastbound on Highway 36 for another 60 miles and at 1:38 PM, we stopped in Macon, MO. for gas. Just as we pulled up to the station, it started to sprinkle. We gassed up and made a pit stop, as it continued to sprinkle harder. We waited a while, hoping for the rain to stop. We decided to put on our rain gear, just in case.



Jim lead us from the gas station and 42 miles later, it started to rain. We were all glad that we put on our rain gear. We stopped 76 miles later at 3:30 PM in West Quincy, MO. for a pit stop. Not only did we stop for a pit stop, but we stayed for a while and had some snacks. As we were there snacking and pit stopping, we were also people watching. Man, there were some strange looking people walking in and out of that mini mart. The most memorable one was a truck driver who had, as Chuck put it, "a world champion mullet." Not only did he have this mullet, but he was wearing black sweat pants and a sleeveless t-shirt, showing off his tatted arms. He should have been wearing long sleeves. His arms weren't that great! Kathleen managed to sneak a picture of Mr. Mullet. We were there for almost an hour and left at 4:21 PM, hoping to get to Peoria, IL.



We continued eastbound for another 74 miles and at 5:51 PM, we stopped in Astoria, IL. for gas. As we were gassing up, customers at the gas station were asking us about our Motors and our journey. We also told them that we were going to Peoria, IL. to stop for the night and then go to Chicago. One gentleman told us that we could go to Bloomington, IL., as it would be a lot safer and closer to Chicago. He gave us directions, we looked at the map and then left at 6:20 PM.



It was my turn to lead and, having looked at the map, led the group eastbound on Highway 36 for about 10 miles and then switched to Highway 136 to I-55 and then north. It was STILL RAINING and we arrived in Bloomington, IL. and the Best Western University Inn at 7:51 PM, after riding in the rain for another 87 miles. We entered the lobby soaking wet and dripping. the male, young clerk was amazed that we were all on Motors riding in the rain. I had asked if there were rooms available and he told me that there were only three rooms left; one with a king bed and two rooms with double beds. We told him that we would take them. We all moved our Motors to the back parking lot, close to our rooms, and unloaded them in the pouring rain. After we unloaded the Motors and tucked them in for the night, we went to our rooms and got ready to walk about a block and a half to a "Steak 'N Shake" restaurant for dinner. As we walked out of the motel, it had STOPPED RAINING! We had a nice dinner and returned to our rooms to retire for the night. Tomorrow we will ride to Naperville, IL., about 21 miles west of Chicago, where Chuck is going to meet two old college roommates for lunch. It is supposed to be colder tomorrow and it is also supposed to rain. We will see... With all of the rain that we rode in today, we logged 412 miles. Most of the miles was in the rain.



Until tomorrow...