October 9 , 2019
Henderson, KY to Cave-in-Rock, IL
We have passed through several counties with quilt trail projects. The quilt trail projects are made up of a series of painted wooden quilt squares hung on barns and businesses. Henderson County and Union County which we ride through today have some really beautiful ones. And, look at that blue sky!
After many miles passing farms and fields we come to Cotton Patch Road. The bridge is out and judging by the map it will be a long way around the detour. We decide the best plan is to just push our loaded bikes across the bridge. After that, we don't see any cars for a very long time.
The final part of today's ride is quite hilly. We have to take a ferry to get to Cave-in-Rock State Park. While we are waiting for the ferry to make its way to our shore, a local man in his pickup truck tells us all about the outlaws who lured riverboats to shore and robbed their crews. Many ended up beaten or murdered. The cave itself extends about 200 ' into the bluff and is 20' high at the mouth and is etched with pteroglyphs and the intials and dates of travelers and others who decided to leave their marks. Lots of reptiles and amphibians hibernate in the limestone formation here and throughout the Shawnee National Forest. Another helpful local tells me, "There are so many snakes in that park, they sometimes have to close the road." I am really skeptical, but it turns out to be a true thing!
Read this: Snake Road fortunately, we didn't have to go anywhere near this part of the forest.
We have an Airbnb for THREE nights in Paducah, Ky. That's where we are headed next.
Cave-in-Rock to Paducah
Henderson, KY to Cave-in-Rock, IL
Luck the cat belongs to our warm showers host.
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| Our beautiful and cozy bedroom at the home of our Warm Showers host |
It is great fun getting to know our warm showers host. We pass an enjoyable evening listening to her tales of past bike touring guests. Our host once had a group of four cyclists from Quebec: a mom, her two sons, and her brother. The boys were aged 7 and 12 and the youngest one was too small to pedal his bicycle unless he was standing. So, he stood on the pedals for the hundreds of miles that they traveled. They were on their way to Mexico! The Mom and the young son were traveling with their violins and put on an impromtu concert for our host and a group of her friends and neighbors. She has had plenty of interesting guests and loves to meet people and share hospitality with them. We are appreciative recipients of her kindness.
We set out early from Henderson since it is more than 60 miles to get to Cave-in-Rock State Park.
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| Homemade breakfast for two here cost $5.79. Yes, total for two people. Including coffees. |
We have passed through several counties with quilt trail projects. The quilt trail projects are made up of a series of painted wooden quilt squares hung on barns and businesses. Henderson County and Union County which we ride through today have some really beautiful ones. And, look at that blue sky!
After many miles passing farms and fields we come to Cotton Patch Road. The bridge is out and judging by the map it will be a long way around the detour. We decide the best plan is to just push our loaded bikes across the bridge. After that, we don't see any cars for a very long time.
 |
| One of the perks of bike travel - is this road really closed? |
The final part of today's ride is quite hilly. We have to take a ferry to get to Cave-in-Rock State Park. While we are waiting for the ferry to make its way to our shore, a local man in his pickup truck tells us all about the outlaws who lured riverboats to shore and robbed their crews. Many ended up beaten or murdered. The cave itself extends about 200 ' into the bluff and is 20' high at the mouth and is etched with pteroglyphs and the intials and dates of travelers and others who decided to leave their marks. Lots of reptiles and amphibians hibernate in the limestone formation here and throughout the Shawnee National Forest. Another helpful local tells me, "There are so many snakes in that park, they sometimes have to close the road." I am really skeptical, but it turns out to be a true thing!
Read this: Snake Road fortunately, we didn't have to go anywhere near this part of the forest.
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| It feels good to ride the ferry after 60 miles of pedaling a bike. |
October 10, 2019
Cave-in-Rock, Illinois to Peducah, KY
Cave-in-Rock is a great park and certainly budget friendly. The state of Illinois charges just $10 for a tent site. In the morning, we take the ferry back across the Ohio River and head towards the southwest. The roads we are riding are so quiet that Tom decides to keep track of the cars that approach and those that pass us from behind. Over the course of 30 miles he counts 36 vehicles. Only 8 of these pass us from behind. It was almost like having our own bike trail.
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| Today we see a few livestock farms. |
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| not a car in sight on the River Road |
We have an Airbnb for THREE nights in Paducah, Ky. That's where we are headed next.
Henderson to Cave-in-Rock
Cave-in-Rock to Paducah
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