Waverly, TN to Henderson , KY

3 fabulous days cycling. V quiet roads - indeed it seemed we could go almost an entire morning without a car passing us in either direction. (Dogs were challenging--we cope no bother with one or two, but then they started calling their pals, and at one time we stopped and faced off 5 or 6 at once, all howling for blood! Mary's
bit.)

Mileages on the 3 days were 56, 53 and 61 averaging between 9 and 11 mph. A fair few `testing` hills , but the legs are much stronger and only a few were a major struggle and even those only of 300 ft or so of vertical height. (Tally so far: Mary's pusher uppers: 3. George's: 1) Starting early makes a huge difference , but then we tend to disagree on what sort of a stop to have at 10/11 am. I favour the traditional American full breakfast. M favours holding out longer for fried chicken, cornbread and okra(--which she is rarely allowed to have!Mary again)

Ist day was Land between the Lakes - 45 or so mile stretch of park land between the dammed Tennesse and Cumberland rivers. Enjoyed bald eagles, buffalo , the Homefarm exhibition - superb displays of what farming in mid 19th century Kentucky was like. (Really enjoyed the traditional breeds of livestock, especially the Maran hens and chicks blissfully pecking in the dirt. Funny to see USA cockerels behave the same as the UK ones--calling over their hens when a particularly juicy worm is found.) Then to campsite in Grand Rivers.

Next day was hard with an unhelpful wind and a fair slog to the ferry across the Ohio at Cave- in - Rock , Illinois. (Mary pooped and in foul humour, so) we stayed there in a v comfortable cabin looking across the Ohio and at an approaching thunderstorm. V satisfying. A good restauraunt only minutes away. (Mary now very happy again....)

Then an early start again , and deciding to go go for Henderson , KY if any sort of a good wind. We got it and fortified by good breakfast ( albeit spoilt by my having over inflated M's back tyre while she was ordering and the metal valve snapping in the middle - to the rescue our spare inner tube ! ), we made it to Henderson and to the campsite in the Audubon State park at far end of town. Small choice of places to eat . Chose ` The Golden Coral `. As much as you could eat - and good quality - for $9.99, and $9.28 for over 60 year olds - no ID required which disappointed me . Beautifully cooked steak and a choice of pies to die for ! (Felt a little bit like being amongst pigs at a feeding trough--of course we loved it too...)

Today in Library in Henderson , enjoying a rest day. This afternoon to the Audubon exhibition. Tomorrow to Owensboro and bike shope to get new spare inner tube for M's bike, and then continue up the Ohio. About 1000 miles done and maybe another 400 to go . Feeling cautiously optimistic. But anything can happen ... as we know so well . We'll be thinking of Meghan & Dennis as they head off for their cycling tour to Burgundy with the Butters` this w/e. Take care !

No photos this time . Left the lead in tent . Will add next time.

Now had chance to add photos from this stretch of the route. 1. crossing the Kentucky stateline from Tennessee. 2.always stop for horses and dogs if we can. These were particularly friendly. 3. the ferry across the Ohio into Cave - in - Rock , Illinois . 4. The cave itself - pirates lived here in days of old and raided river traffic on regular basis. 5 Mary, pooped, in lovely cabin on banks of Ohio river. V fortunate to get it without reservation . Just turned up - fully booked for rest of week we gathered. Otherwise it was going to be a wet night in tent.