Grafton, IL to Hannibal, MO -- 112 miles

Today started to be a great day. We had two ferry crossings, one to cross the Illinois River and the second to cross the Mississippi River again. So now we are on the Missouri side again. We rode thru several small towns likeWinfield, Foley, Elsberry, Annada, Clarksville, and Louisiana before arriving in Hannibal. Mark Twain lived in here from the age of 4 to 17 before becoming a steamboat pilot, silver miner, journalist, and author.

The roads after the last ferry crossing went from good to bad and worse as we got closer to town. I was so angry, I was ready to call it quits and come home. Lots of rolling hills and no shoulder and heavy traffic...a very dangerous situation for bicyclists. To add, motorist are not bicycle friendly.
Quite a contrast from the day before.

May 22, 2012
St. Louis, MO to Grafton, IL -- 45 miles

The ride to Grafton was mostly on a bike path along the river.


This is one of many murals along the path. This one is of the Freedom Crossing.


About 12 miles out of town, we came to the Chain of Rocks Bridge which is the old Route 66 into Illinois. This bridge is used only for bikes and pedestrians.





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