Day 30 Carbondale, Il

Woke even earlier today to beat the heat, but by 7 am the sign on the Vienna bank said 86 degrees. Fortunately, it was a short day mileage wise (43) and not too hilly. The highlite was the ride through Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge on a quiet, shady country road and a rest stop by a lake with a cool breeze blowing off it! We arrived in the college town of Carbondale shortly after noon, first stop was at the bike shop to get a few minor squeaks taken care of and to pick Stephanie up a new helmet with a sun visor. There a reporter from the local newspaper intercepted us to quiz us on our trip and to take a few pictures.

Last night's adventure: The Long March for Pizza

Once settled into our motel last night, a craving for pizza and beer overtook us (we've been deficient in these important nutrients due to the many "dry" counties in KY). I inquired at the front desk if there was a pizza place in town that delivered. She said Casey's ("just a little ways up the street") made pizza but did not deliver. I ordered and began walking (after a long day in the saddle and a cool shower getting back on the bike is NOT an option). In 1000 ft I passed an open restaurant sporting the following sign: "Newt's Pizza- we deliver". What the (&%$#@% ! I figured this "casey's" place couldn't be that far, so I continued on another one and a half miles to pick up my gas-station pizza. When a worried Stephanie opened the door upon my return, I replied "Oh, you weren't expecting this tonight we're you?"

Not the first time we've met someone clueless about their hometown. Some can give us detailed directions to a Walmart 40 miles away that could rival mapquest's. Maybe if more people took an interest in their community, hometown USA would be a little better off.