Day 8: 5/28/19: Metropolis, IL to Tamaroa, IL

I had a very good night's sleep last night. It is always much easier to sleep well when you have permission to sleep somewhere.  When "stealth" camping, I tend to sleep lighter and every little noise wakes me up.

I was able to "do" laundry in the bathroom sink last night. I hung my clothes out to dry, but there was not enough sun and wind to dry them.

So this morning during breakfast at McDonald's, I found a sunny spot and hung them out to dry some more.

No trip to Metropolis is complete until you go visit the big guy.

I made it to Vienna, the self proclaimed bicycling capital of Illinois.  However, talking to a local, he stated he would not ride on the roads "around here."  He sticks to the local rails to trails.  At the park where all the bicycle facilities were, the bathrooms were closed and the water was shut off. So as far as bicycling capital, all I can say is, "I don't know about that!!" :)

I had a nice tailwind today, and have really enjoyed it.

Below is a pic of Tall Tree Lake.

I got to enjoy Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge during my ride today. A couple of pics below.

In Energy, IL I had a couple of burgers and some fries at Nesler's Polar Whip.  Man it really hit the spot. The single burger was only 90 cents and the double was $1.15.  they only had onion and mustard on them. They operate on a cash only basis.  As Wimpy always says, "I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

My last few miles today we're on a gravel road in the middle of farms. Pic below.

I made it to Tamaroa and talked to a guy named Darrell who was cutting his grass. He stated it would be fine for me to pitch a tent in his yard, but he needed to finish mowing his grass. So I rode around town for awhile and then returned to his house. He stated that his wife is a nervous type and was afraid to let me pitch a tent in their yard. Oh well.  Darrell called a town official who okayed it for me to pitch a tent in the town park tonight.

Total miles today: 100.8