Vienna to Cape Girardeau (84km)

The Tunnel Hill trail continued for another 20 km and we enjoyed it in the early morning. We had both woken up early and instead of waiting, we left for the road. Already early in the morning it was pleasantly warm, we drove in our T-shirts.

A shop like in Russia..

In the US we stay more in motels than B&B´s. There are simply less B&B´s here. Unfortunately the motel-breakfast is not really something that makes you want to get up early. In generall some very colorful and sweetened cereals, donuts, toast, jam and butter that is no butter. Some even offer fruits, but not all. Most have something where on can bake his own pancakes or waffles, something most people seem to like a lot. The coffee usually is more than weak, at least to our understanding. The worst, all the dishes, cups, spoons etc are plastic and throw away items!

For us, these breakfasts are rather painful, they do not last long once you are biking. So we usually eat our own Müesli mixture, that lasts till lunch. 

Our route went through farmland again, small villages where we stoped at this shop to buy some food. The shop was higly decorated with dog breeding trophies, but except for some chips, cherky´s and Pepsi, there was nothing to buy. But the friendy lady was sitting there, waiting for customers, while watchng TV.

After thousands ok kilometers in flat lands, we encountered some hills today, while driving through the Shawnee National Forest. They were almost welcome! Less welcome was the pityless southernly wind that drove us nearly mad. With gusts up to 60 miles, it was hard to stay on the bike when a gust was hitting. Especially on the finals miles, when we crossed over the Missisippi River into Missouri. On the bridge we had to stay very concentrated in order to make it to the other side. But, we made it, saw the Missisippi, which was very disappointing. Due to the draught here, the water is very low and seems very dirty.



The Missisippi River....