Soggy Bikers rest in Springfield

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  Sprinfield, Illinois, United States
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Here we are on Route 66 and the first opportunity to
update. Sadly "Ike" wiped out the internet where we have
been and wiped out 1 day of our trip. Back to the start,
had a wonderful day in Chicago seeing the sights and
making new friends. Picked up our SUV (huge) in St Charles
and met our lovely guide Wendy who had ridden across from
LA in 2 days!!!  16hours a day!! We left St Charles the
next morning in pouring rain, floods and wind but quite
quickly rode out of that and the rest of the day was fine.
Ike made us hotel bound the next day so we are riding 2
days in one in the desert. have stayed on Route 66 as much
as possible but some times we have to be on the interstate
to save time and sometimes it just doesn't exist anymore.
On the way to Springfield, we stopped at Al Capone's
frequent stop, the Riviera Hotel and were shown around by
the 84 yr old owner, been there for 36 years and was
preserved by alcohol, his wife came out in her PJ's..They
were so lovely and wanted to show us everything, Capone's
safe and I now know why they call "the ladies" the throne!
Stopped at some real authentic Route 66 icons and by the
time we hit Springfield, the weather warnings were
alarming. Met up with another big group of bikers (Swiss)
and they headed off next morning despite all the warnings
but we decided to play it safe and so glad we did. The
signs of flooding today would have made our trip very
uncomfortable, ok for me in a big 4x4 but not on bikes, so
it was retail therapy for us and bargains were gained by
all...sales everywhere, and we did a spot of History as
well with Abe Lincoln.
Today has been a long day, nearly 12 hours on the road but
with quite a few stops, breakfast at a cafe owned by the
same family since 1922!!! then into St Louis Missouri, saw
the Mississippi river in full flood, went right up to the
top of the famous arch (Well, the brave of us did!!)What
an engineering feat that is, then to the Meramac Caves
where Jessis James hid out and saw the best Stalegtites
and mites we have ever seen some are 78million years old.
Thats all for now, have to be on the road early as another
big day tomorrow. Our girls as on their "way to Amarillo"
right now, can't wait to see them.See you next time, Ngaire

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