Yesterday marked the first day of our Midwestern cycling adventure and it offered a bit of everything,
You might think that because we had traveled across the country two years ago, we would know exactly how and what to pack. Apparently not and within the first half mile, Pat had already lost the piece on his hydration pack necessary for drinking water. He went back to the starting place, at our daughter’s apartment in Wheaton, but all he found was a flock of geese. Did we bring extra water bottles? Yes, we had but decided to leave them at Destyni’s apartment because why not?
A few minutes later, I watched Pat catch his wheel in a gutter and he almost went down. Not a good beginning but then we found the Illinois Prairie Path and our cycling abilities improved. We passed some mothers out pushing infants in strollers and crossed multiple streets on the path as in took us to Warrenville. The path was beautiful, tree covered on both sides and the surface was primarily crushed limestone. We circled around the St. James Forest Preserve that had multiple corrals all of which had no horses. Then came the highlight of the day when we arrived in Warrenville and spotted the memorial to the founders of the Illinois Prairie Path. Getting this path off the ground was quite the feat thanks to May Watts and close to 12 others who advocated for the creation of a trail on the abandoned rail line. This trail and the Wisconsin trail from Elroy to Sparta were the beginnings of the rails to trails movement and we have much to thank the visionaries who saw what was possible and protected the land.
We then entered a section of the trail next to large power lines on one side and cattails on the other, crossed railroad tracks and went through an industrial park section. It was here that the aroma of coffee was everywhere or perhaps I was fantasizing. The trail ended at the Fox River on the outskirts of Aurora, Illinois. We found our way to the city of lights, their nickname, because they were one of the first communities to use electric street lights in t
he 19th century. Multiple businesses on the main street were shuttered but eventually we found a side street for iced coffee across from the city’s library. Pat took charge of the rest of the trip; from one nature trail to another with suburban sidewalks and multiple housing developments.
The worst part of the afternoon occurred as we neared Interstate 55. No sidewalks, no shoulders and cars and trucks moving at a fast speed. My brilliant solution to walk inside the guard rails facing traffic was a no go when we discovered a jersey divider over the bride and had to turn back, find a way to cross the horrid road and try walking on the other side with traffic. At one point, Pat moved his bicycle into the lane where the cars were and I was wondering why when I, too, noticed the dead animal in our path. Yuck!!!
After surviving this road intact, we found sidewalks again and continued on to Bolingbrook and Romeoville. We were stressed and tired and knew our plans to cycle to a campgrou
nd outside of Joliet was no longer in our sight. Luckily a nice gentleman suggested a few motels not far away and we found ourselves at a Holiday Inn Express. Apparently we arrived on the right night for free wine, beer (Bud Light) and popcorn. After a excellent night’s sleep in a bed, rather than our daughter’s floor, we are ready for Day Two.
Shevonne and Pat
Anita
Sorry I didn’t get a chance to say Bon Voyage before you left but sounds like a great and typical trip already for you two. Hope it continues to be fun and a little less stressful!!! Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Shevonne
Anita,
Several Mad River Valley folks are also cycling in Croatia this month. Good choice.
Rick Aherne
Never a dull moment!! Enjoy!
Heidi
Glad you’re out there again. Hoping the weather cooperates. How long will you be on your trip? Be safe and have fun! Heidi
Shevonne
Heidi,
We are trying our best but the slowpokes are getting a bit slower or so it seems thus far.
Less Tourville
Can’t wait to read more of your adventures.
Lesa
Shevonne
Hello Lesa. Nice to hear from you.
Anne et Marcellin
Hello Pat and Shevonne
We are glad yo see you on the road. IF you have a map of your trip, it will be helpfull for us to follow. Notre connaissance de la géographie des Etats-Unis est faible.
On espère bien vous revoir un jour en France. Vous serez les bienvenus.
Anne et Marcellin
Shevonne
Salut Anne et Marcellin:
Merci beaucoup! Je vais essayer a montrer une carte de notre voyage sur ce blog. On a hate de vous revoir en France.
Pat et Shevonne
Abby
Glad you two navigated that busy road safely! Phew!
Pat Travers
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