Day 11 of riding!

When we came out of the motel at 6am it was already 78 degrees, very muggy with a red sun peeking over the horizon.  We drove back down south of Hannibal, Missouri to Hwy 79 and Russ was on his way just before 7 am.  Over the weekend David McCullough gave us Flat Stanley (a character from a kid's book, in case you didn't know) so he started riding this morning. (notice him on the front wheel)

We took a break in Louisiana, MO and enjoyed a river side table.

Our next break was in Clarksville at Mike Bankhead's roadside vegetable stand.  IF ONLY it was closer to home!!!  What fantastic looking sweet corn, potatoes, onions, eggplant, zuchinni, beets, peppers, tomatoes, etc.  We bought a few things, then Mike filled up another sack for us, what a blessing!!!

We stopped in Elsberry at the grocery store to buy more bananas and peanut butter, we go through A LOT of each!  We took a break in Foley where the police chief, Max Collier stopped to visit and encourage us.  By 11:30 am it was 90 degrees on the car thermometer and Russ said the top temperature on his bike gauge was 104 degrees - lots of heat radiated off the pavement!

We headed into suburbs of Saint Louis.  Some of the roads were VERY busy, but God heard our prayers and guided us safely.  We are staying in a motel near the St. Louis airport.  After arriving, we cooled off in the pool, then drove down to the arch for some pictures.

Even Flat Stanley came along!

The riverfront near the arch.

Overall a wonderful day!  Russ biked 90 miles today.  Please pray us through St. Louis tomorrow, I think I'll be glad when we're out of here!  Too much traffic!!!
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouragement!

Here's a church we saw along the way today!

Until tomorrow,
Russ & Carol