6. Tom Sawyer

Nov 26  Monday,   we pulled out of Eldridge Iowa around 11:30  it is taking a while to get everything together and get suited up for the cold weather,   we have discovered we are a little over packed.  It was  hard to plan a ride of this length.    We aren't to anxious to start out before the sun has risen to help gain a few degrees of heat.   We crossed the river into Hermann MO this is a great spot to tour in the summer the area has many wineries and unique shop's however this is their off season and we are anxious to get further South, we will add this to our to do list.   As we entered Herman I seen a sign and and arrow to the left for a winery so I thought we would take a look since it was so close.   It turns out the winery was a little further and we ended up at the towns courthouse instead of winery, common mistake I am sure.   About  a half hour out of  Hannibal MO it started to snow.  It was light enough that we were able to continue.   The two things we needed to be aware of was traction and visibility,  the snow never got above a dusting, and there were no sharp curves to worry about front end traction.  We spent the night in Hannibal holiday inn express,  their was a new BBQ just across from it with big inflatable pink pig, good food , good service and within walking distance, what more could we ask for.  We  will conserve on the lodging fund later, tonight we just want a nice warm place to stay.

Here try this link to the map,  ( still learning)  Map

     Tuesday the 27th  clear and 42 degrees,  We can live with this, seems warm after 18.  Their was a statue as we left town.  I don’t know if it was Mark twain or Samuel Clements, they look the same to me.
A cycle friend of ours ( have to watch your enunciation when you say that)  Dave and Sandy had suggested this route from Hannibal grab 19 and follow it south to Arkansas.   Nice ride.  We had been stopping early as we didn’t want to drive at night and it cooled off pretty quickly in the afternoon.   I think Ruthie thought if we made a few more miles it would be warm.  The sun coming thru the trees was making it hard to keep my eyes open when I blinked, ( getting a little tired I guess)    Ruthie drove the last part ,  I took a little nap in the rear seat as we traveled on.  We made 280 miles that day,  and crossed the border Mammoth Springs AR