July 7

Centerville, MO to Farmington, MO

47 / 2667

After setting-off early I pull over to rest and enjoy the scenery. Yesterday's dip in the river was great, however I placed my shirt on a shrub and re-wore it later. Today I woke up with a massive rash on my torso. Ugh.

This little dude was smack in the middle off the road so I pulled over to give him an express lift to the other side. Lots of other turtles didn't make it : (

The road here is narrow and I get no courtesy from the truckers. A few
close calls and I decide to briefly abandon the ACA route and head to Pilot Knob on a busier route with wider shoulders. A thunderstorm threatens but never materializes as I near Farmington. I'm not sure where Al's Place is exactly, but there are some clear indications of the general direction in which it lies...

  I get the low-down from the bike shop across the street and check out the cyclists-only hostel.

 The bikes stay downstairs and the bunks are on the second floor

 Al's Place is dedicated to the memory of Al Dziewa, a Farmington business owner and avid cyclist.

 This place is really nice. Kitchen, laundry, internet and comfortable rooms all available to the weary cyclist for a donation.

 I meet a number of other touring cyclists during my stay. I keep to myself in the beginning but I eventually come around and enjoy getting to know my bunk mates. It seems colds and stomach bugs have been common for some riders. I guess I was lucky to have never caught one.
 At this point in the trip something changes in me. I've reached a level of exhaustion that challenges my desire to continue. On days to come I struggle with feeling like my heart has somehow fallen out of the trip. Going forward I still have an amazing time, yet I have a greater urgency to get this thing done.

As evening falls tornado sirens blare through the town. No tornado.


I take a day off, or a "zero" as some cyclists call it, the following day to rest and restock. I purchase imitation Ray-Bans and have my first ever White Castle experience. White Castle is weird.