Monday, August 22, 2022

Day 74-Nothing Too Exciting Today…Oh Wait…

We crossed into Kentucky! And more importantly, we seem to have survived drinking water filtered from the Ohio River! And…more incredible kindness!

After having to push my bike up the steep steep hill out of the campground (too early in the morning for that much steepness), we arrived at the ferry dock just as it was unloading. Perfect timing, except that it wasn’t. Sitting on the ferry was a gas truck. Coast Guard says only gas truck can go on the ferry. No other vehicles (in case gas truck goes boom). Probably a good idea…

Only gas truck…looks so lonely. 

Actually, it worked out better because then we had time to find a trash can to dump our trash from the campground. 

Ferry went across the river. Barge went by. Ferry came back across the river. 

Tug and barge

Here comes the ferry! Yes, it does this fancy sideways maneuver, then straightens out. 

We loaded onto the ferry.



Just before we were going to depart, this car pulled up, but didn’t get on the ferry. The pilot hands the first mate some cash. The first mate gives the cash to the driver, and the driver gives a bag of food. Do they call that “Ferry Dash”???

Off we went to Kentucky!




There wasn’t a Welcome to Kentucky sign right away (would probably create ferry traffic problems), but about a half mile down the road, there it was!

Whoop! State number 10!!!

Kentucky didn’t look a whole lot different from Illinois. There were still hills. It was, however, quite quiet since there was only traffic when the ferry came in, and even then, not more than a few cars. 

In Marion, we wanted something to eat. The cafe was closed, but I spied a Subway. Oh good, I can check of a Kentucky Subway!

Would have rather had second breakfast, but early lunch was okay. 

We had a few towns today. Next up was Clay, another 20 or so miles down (and up) the road. Didn’t really need another meal, so I just had a salad at Jeri’s. After we were finished, the waitress plunked down two cinnamon rolls, and said, “These are on the house.” Needless to say, I was very full when I left. So much so, that I was pretty slow rolling the last 18 miles to Sebree. But, the hills weren’t too bad, and it was nice countryside. 

Underneath the trees there were a bunch of cows. 

Red barn in the middle of soybeans. 

Just as we pulled into Sebree, we came to the Sebree First Baptist Church. They had a big sign saying “Cross Country Cyclist’s Hostel”. I had called last night to make sure they were still available because there wasn’t anything else. Boy howdy, are they ever still available. This is another church where they take their ministry to cyclists very seriously. Bob and Violet used to host cyclists and feed them for several years (Bob was the pastor for 35 years) before the church built an addition that us cyclists can use. 

This is just part of it. 

Ian, who we met at the Sinclair yesterday was already here. He gave us the tour, and said dinner was at Bob and Violet’s house across the street at 6:30. Wow! We showered, and started our laundry (yes, they even have laundry here). 

At 6:30 we walked across the street. Bob and Violet were busy preparing all kinds of great food! Violet told Bob to come sit and talk to us. We had a wonderful time hearing about how the church got into the “Cyclist Ministry” as well as the foundations of the Baptist faith. Very interesting!

Ian saw a cyclist go by. Him and Bob went after him in Bob’s car. It was a young guy named Andrew, who Ian had met earlier. Andrew joined the dinner party. 

It was an awesome meal with amazing hosts!

Such a wonderful couple!

The whole party!

As I’ve said many times, the best part of touring is the fantastic people I meet. Today was another perfect example!










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