I left just before sunup this morning, in a light drizzle. I was trying to get going before the slow moving line of storms kept me home until 9 am or so. I managed to make good time until Benton Harbor, and I had to ride through rain and clouds so thick that it seemed like dawn had stalled out.

I almost bit it in Gary shortly after the rain had moved on. Traffic went from 80 to 0 in about 50 feet. Partially because of the rear end collision that happened in my lane three cars ahead. Thank god for the riders safety courses. I managed to stop the bike with a few feet to spare and not have myself pressed into the car in front of me. Always be looking!

After extracting myself from the left lane hairball, I decided to check my shorts and double check the load on the bike to ensure it had not shifted. (It was also time for a gas stop.) I started to log my mileage and noticed we have finally broke the 10000 mile mark! Go me!

I got a few good hours of riding in with no rain, and then the clouds started to move in again. I was making good time so I decided to take small chunks of old 66, which runs along I55 in southern Illinois.

I made good time and the last gas stop before St. Louis was still along old US 66. I got gas and met this little guy. He was protesting the misting and wind. Me too, dude. Me too.

I made it to my destination, unloaded and decided to go get dinner. The hosts suggested Zia’s on the Hill. I was not disappointed.

Zia’s feels much older inside than it actually is. The dining rooms feel like something out of the thirties. It felt like stepping through a dignified time machine.

I came for the toasted Ravioli, and spied cheesy garlic bread on the way in. Yup. I got them both.

I may have devoured the Ravioli and crushed most of the garlic bread. (I definitely did.)

I chose to have the Tortellini Piselli for my entree. The pasta was perfect, and tasted like it was fresh made. The prosciutto and peas complimented the pasta perfectly.

After crushing my way through dinner, I retired to the shotgun style house nearby and started drying gear. I also noticed they had a bat house out back!

See you tomorrow!