Day 20 - what a day!!!

I think I have a mosquito in my tent with me...😕But other than that, I cannot (should not) complain one bit about today! So, buckle in, there is no other way around it. Here is my day from the beginning...

V.J. filled me up with breakfast before I left The Lake House Retreat in Pana. (Gonna have the blueberry muffin she sent with me for breakfast tomorrow!) It was quick going in the morning. I got to Ohlman, IL and was ready for a break, found some shade next to the Post Office, grabbed a snack. Not long after, Sherry pulled in to open up. We said , "Hi." Then Nancy drove in to collect her mail. She inquired about my day & we chatted for a while. I was quite giddy when she shared that she & her husband were in the hog business. I responded with my very enthusiastic 6-year-old self, "My grandpa was a pig farmer!😃" After our conversation, we parted with a hug and promises for prayers. I was able to fill my water bottle in the post office before I left. It was a very restful and productive break.

I had no cell or wi-fi service the whole day (actually, this was day two in that situation - smart phones are not so smart with no service!) so I sought out a McDonald's for lunch. Tried to make sure my written notes were accurate to the route online. Met a man who biked 50 miles yesterday, training for a bike ride with his son.

As I have found often, the road names online do not match up so directly with reality. So, along the way "Biker Jeff" helped me navigate to Walshville, IL; Steve & his two sons, Luke & Levi, helped me navigate through Walshville. (Although, I should have taken your advice on plan B, Steve...), and once I made it passed Walshville, Christina & her dog, Scrap, got me pointed in the right direction toward Rustic Acres Campground.

You may think, now that I have made it to my lodging for the night that the story is over. Well, tonight that is FAR from the case!

I pulled in to the campground @ 5pm. The office is closed from 4-6. Lucky for me, 2 women were there, forgetting it was closed, & simply asked what I needed. A bathroom! Oh, "follow us." (Did I mention that everone has golf carts to get around here...?) They took me to the bath house right across from the pavilion. There was a surprise birthday party going on, it started @ 4. (It is currenly 10:20 - everyone is still enjoying themselves - including me, from afar.) When I emerged from the bathroom, no less than 4 people said hello, welcome, and wanted to know about the bike.

I still had about 40 minutes to wait for the office to open & to get a campsite. I desperately wanted a shower, and hadn't eaten yet. So, I headed back there to wait. Had a chat with the 13 yr old who had to wait the 15 minutes for "adult swim" to be over before he could go into the pool.

Michelle & husband (Jim? Bill? Sorry! Met so many people tonight... 😞) were very interested in my story and genuinely ready to bend over backwards for my comfort. Got my campsite, right next to the bathroom & pavilion. Derek brought me a beer before I even took my stuff off the bike. Set up camp, showered & checked the Tiger game before I was invited over to the party.

I gotta tell you, if i didn't have 60+ miles to go tomorrow, I certainly would have taken better advantage of the hospitality of this tight-knit community! Everyone has been very sweet and helpful. So, a shout out for Rustic Acres, outside of New Douglas, IL.

So, what did I learn today? I am not alone! Thank you, God, for all the people you put in my path today. Bless them and help them see the blessing they are (and can be) to others... 🙂

Peace! Kathy

#Lessonslearned #PeopleMet