Turning East

It’s not every day that you get an official welcome from the mayor. We rolled into Rochester (Indiana) after 28 miles for our first stop and found Evergreen, A Fine Eatery. The brownstone and artsy atmosphere was a pleasant surprise. We had our choice of breakfast or lunch for the table. We couldn’t mix the table. We we opted for a late breakfast. We didn’t ask. After we finished and paid our bill, we got up to leave. A couple tables away there was a blue blazer getting up and extending his hand and announcing his name and title as mayor. He welcomed us to his town. He asked the standard touring questions and wished us a safe trip as he handed me his card. I figured I had about a 1/2 mile before the city limits to use it should I find myself exercising the Idaho Bike Stop Law in the presence Indiana law officer. 

A couple hours earlier, the Rising Sun did, as promised. It was either 5:30 or 6:30 am. The sun doesn’t care about time zones or DST. In addition to building some coffee, we needed to make oatmeal as the next services were a couple hours away. And the rolling hills in between were a surprise, both to the legs and to the senses. There is a nice little geological ridge feature that interrupted the flat and straight rows of corn and soybeans. We also kept seeing signs of European settler history that dates back to 1850. 

After our official state visit with the mayor, we once again found ourselves on a converted rail system turned bike trail. For 15 miles we cruised from Rochester to Denver, both of Indiana. In 1/8 mile high Denver, we found a piece of grass in some shade to catch our breadth, fuel up, and hydrate for the last 17 mile push into Wabash, where Jim Nabors remembered in his song “Back Home Again, in Indiana”. Back Home Again in Indiana

We also officially rejoined the Adventure Cycling Association’s Northern Tier Route after 18 days on the Northern Lakes Route. Our original plan would have us cut across Michigan and enter Canada north of Detroit. But we needed to be flexible to the opening and closing of borders. 

The country side here is quiet and peaceful. The drivers are respectful and the people ever friendly and helpful.

We now take a more deliberate route east as we make our way towards Maine.