A simple day
We left Columbia feeling uncertain. After the previous day, we didn't feel too sure about what to expect. This whole trip, really, has been very much the adventure we wanted. But there were, for once, no surprises! The route was about 47 miles, just as we thought. The roads were mostly paved. The traffic was not much of a problem. The turns took us where we thought they would. After a leisurely ride with stops to look around (some birds, some plants, some miniature horses), we arrived at the Orchid House B&B in Sparta, Illinois.
Someone in the area must have liked Greek history. Our one stop for snacks along the way was at New Athens. Sparta is another pleasant but sad looking town. Most of the businesses in the downtown area are gone. For lease signs are on most buildings - and look like they have been there a while. But Orchid House is very nice. We arrived earlier than we had planned, called Julia and were told where to find the key. We went in and dropped off our stuff (bicycles in the living room!) and headed out for Dairy Queen. I had never been a big Dairy Queen fan, but when we were riding across the country and arrived in a town in Montana after a very hot (102 degrees) day, Kitty spotted one and lured us in and..well, I have always thought of it as a great place to find a treat after a cycling day!
Then we went back and rested a bit. We were the only guests that night, so we had the house to ourselves. There's a restaurant in town that delivers, so we ordered dinner. Julia told us to feel free to eat in the little café area, so we did. While we were there, George appeared. He is Julia's husband, our co-host. He had been the primary worker in the major renovation they did of the house to change it from a sagging house that was actually due to be demolished in a few days to a very charming and comfortable B&B. We saw the album showing the process - wow! And we chatted with George so long that Julia called to see what had become of him. They used to live in Florida, had lived on a sail boat for a while, and had moved back to Illinois near where Julia grew up & were in the process of renovating the house next door. Meeting them and chatting - we also got a good chance to talk with Julia over breakfast in the morning - was one of the high points of the trip.
Someone in the area must have liked Greek history. Our one stop for snacks along the way was at New Athens. Sparta is another pleasant but sad looking town. Most of the businesses in the downtown area are gone. For lease signs are on most buildings - and look like they have been there a while. But Orchid House is very nice. We arrived earlier than we had planned, called Julia and were told where to find the key. We went in and dropped off our stuff (bicycles in the living room!) and headed out for Dairy Queen. I had never been a big Dairy Queen fan, but when we were riding across the country and arrived in a town in Montana after a very hot (102 degrees) day, Kitty spotted one and lured us in and..well, I have always thought of it as a great place to find a treat after a cycling day!
Then we went back and rested a bit. We were the only guests that night, so we had the house to ourselves. There's a restaurant in town that delivers, so we ordered dinner. Julia told us to feel free to eat in the little café area, so we did. While we were there, George appeared. He is Julia's husband, our co-host. He had been the primary worker in the major renovation they did of the house to change it from a sagging house that was actually due to be demolished in a few days to a very charming and comfortable B&B. We saw the album showing the process - wow! And we chatted with George so long that Julia called to see what had become of him. They used to live in Florida, had lived on a sail boat for a while, and had moved back to Illinois near where Julia grew up & were in the process of renovating the house next door. Meeting them and chatting - we also got a good chance to talk with Julia over breakfast in the morning - was one of the high points of the trip.
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