Norma Jean the elephant
We gave the monument to Norma Jean the circus elephant the pass as we had other things on our mind. Because of flood threats (they were sand bagging Keithsburg the day before), and we were already fighting 30-35 mph winds and off/on sleet pellets. We had to back track 14 miles from New Boston to Aledo for lodging due to Keithsburg flood status. Hence we had a longer ride slated for the next day as we passed through Oquakwa and on to Nauvoo. Aledo was a great alternative lodging site - funky hometown motel with the proprietress sending us down the street to her nephews bar/restaurant. Before we knew it we were favorites of the bar with free caps for riding the farthest and persisting to arrive on an otherwise nasty day. Anyway we trusted the circus elephant monument to be there without our paying homage. We did stop in Alton for the worlds tallest man (8' 11") and other highlights. One spectacular decision was to cross to the MO side on the chain of rock bridge across the Miss. River. It is totally cycle and pedestrians with picnic tables, old fire engines and other distractions in the middle of the bridge. We followed the riverview bike path south on the St. Louis side to the Eades Bridge where we re-crossed to IL and proceeded s to Milan. Note: Milan's local motel is no longer extant so one has to ride a few miles further east to the airport area where a couple of national chains and some eateries exist.
Popeye at Chester justified a photographic session. What was best were the small towns and nice people.
Its a real privilege to have a sandwhich hand-made in a grocery store, not by the deli lady but by the real butcher person. Want that with white bread and mustard, no problem - we have this big jar of mustard and another of mayo if thats your style. tom