Where’s Kman

Utica, Il. to Oregon, Il.
73 miles
15.8 average mph
Hwy 178
Hwy 52
Hwy 2
Went on a tour of the house Reagan lived in as a teen ager in Dixon, Il. Also toured.the John Deere home and forge in Grand Detour, Il. It was here that he made his first self cleaning plow before he moved to Moline. Went to the Blackhawk statue which stands 50 feet tall on a hill overlooking the Rock River at Oregon, Il. It is lit up at night.with spotligths so it can be seen for miles away along the river. This statue was made to represent a generic Indian but has come to.be known as Blackhawk because of the Blackhawk War fought here in 1832.

Rest day.

Normal, Il. to Utica Il.
81 miles
16.5 average mph
Linden St.
Hwy 251
Hwy 71
Very hot and humid today. It was the hottest day so far – 95 degrees and the is no shade at all because ther are not many trees except in the little towns. I was photographed and interviewed by a reporter from the LaSalle News Tribune and will be in the newspaper tomorrow. Met my Aunt Mary and cousins Cindy and George. Had lunch with Mary and George and rode the last few miles with Cindy’s husband, and bike rider, Dan.

Rest day.

Oakwood, Il. to Normal, Il.
104 miles
14.8 average mph
Hwy 150
SR 15
Ireland Grove Rd.
This part of Illinois is extremely flat and all looks about the same. You can spot each town miles away by a grain elevator or clump of trees in the distance. I rode through a cluster of about 250 windmills spread over an area about 10 miles long and a couple miles wide. There are plans to double the number of windmills over the next year or two to increase energy production. I weighed myself today for the first time since I left and only weigh 152 pounds so I have lost 10 pounds. I am staying at my parents house in Normal and am going to have to try and bulk up and gain some weight over the next 2 days.

Rockville, In. to Oakwood, Il.
66 miles
14.8 average mph
10 O’clock Rd.
Hwy 234
Eugene Rd.
Hwy 32
Found several more covered bridges but got stuck riding on muddy gravel roads for a few miles because the paved road I was on ended and it was too far to go back. No flats though. Just a little mud. Entered in to Illinois and realy am in the flatlands now.
Thank you to Ed and Martha for your hospitality. I really loved the cashew noodle salad.