Day 12: Pittsfield IL to Fulton MO

Had my first flat tire today, but let me start with Fulton:

The Fulton Diner - duh

I have been decrying towns and cities in all my posts, but Fulton is a really nice town.

Dinner at the Fulton Diner

And the catfish was delicious. The pecan pie was good too (of course).

So I crossed the Mississippi:

The Mississippi, not as high as the Illinois

I didn't take the actual bridge because it would have been too dangerous - there were precisely two lanes (wide loads need to request a police escort) and low guardrails between me and the water.

But I was across - important for me because the Mississippi marks so much for me (plus I like the way that people from Missouri pronounce Missouri).

And welcome right back.

And for lunch I, of course, found a tree:

Lunch in Vandalia MO

One other thing I thought most odd was what was clearly a prison:

I would hate to be received and diagnosed there (let alone corrected).

I got rained on in the morning, but it turned out to be a hot day. So I stopped early, am doing laundry, and hoping I can sleep as well as I did last night (best sleep in years).

And my flat tire? Well not much to tell I rode over a big rock (actually a big piece of asphalt from a crumbling (but wide) shoulder). Almost changed the back tire, it about needs it, but I knew I would hold on to the old one since it is still usable - so will do that in a few days and throw away the old one.

Onward - I have about 950 miles to Albuquerque, and I guess I have started counting down. Hopefully I will spare you that in my coming posts.

July 9, 2019, Fulton MO