Tuesday 8 May - Hello Illinois, don't strike us down!

Providence - Elizabethtown, IL

45 miles
3 hours and 46 minutes in the saddle
33.5 mph max speed
11.9 mph average speed

We have been at the mercy of the weather today. Our destination was Vienna, another 40 miles down the road from E-town, IL. A severe thunderstorm put a sudden stop to our journey. We had lunch in E-town and discussed our options. While we were having lunch dark clouds gathered to the north of E-town. Locals didn't think the storm would hit so we decided to push on. About a mile out of town lightning struck the ground about 10 feet from where we were cycling. It was very scary and we ran for cover. Further up the road Brenda and Bert kindly let us take shelter on their porch till the storm passed.

The storm lasted for more than an hour and left us feeling humbled by mother nature. As the rain continued we decided it would be best to stay in E-town for the night. We are staying at the Grand Rose Hotel, which is operated by Illinois State and is the oldest hotel in the state, built in 1812. We are very glad to be here, our room is beautiful and everything is very clean. We have views from the porch to the Ohio River, and have watched the storm pass across to Kentucky.

Before we crossed the Ohio River we travelled through Amish country. We stopped at Yoders Variety Store and tested the immaculate hand made and inexpensive furniture. We wished we could have taken some with us back home.

Tonight we have eaten Ohio River fish and chips at the local floating restaurant. The food was delicious, freshly caught catfish from the river. As we were leaving one of the locals asked if we were lost. He could not believe that an English couple would intend to visit Elizabethtown, Illinois. We are definitely off the beaten tourist track!