Jeff’s Missouri Bicycle Trip Report - 05/19/09
Day 2 - Afternoon
I arrived in New Berlin in time to hear a church’s noon carillon
songs. New Berlin had places to eat, but my priority at the moment was to keep
moving. Just south of New Berlin, I called Tahdra back while still riding. Just
then 2 dogs came at me, so I told Tahdra just a minute, and put the phone
down. There was a lot of barking and a few blasts from my air horn. Tahdra and
Isaac (who was also in the phone) thought they were hearing the last moments
before my end! Anyway, Tahdra reported that it looked like Carlinville,
Carrollton, or backtrack to Jacksonville were the only “nearby” motel options -
all off the path and far away. So, I just decided to keep going - after all, I
didn’t have to get to Jerseyville before dark. About 1:00 p.m., heading west, I
passed a farmer getting ready to cross the road that split his farm. He stopped
in the center of the road behind me and said, “What’re we doing here?” My 1st
thought for an answer was, “Being stupid!” But that was obvious, so I told him
my hope to eventually reach Springfield, MO, but before that, Waverly. By
now I had my mind on eating, even if it did add time to the trip. The farmer
told me they had a good place to eat on the town square, and wished me well.
As I approached Waverly, the road went over railroad tracks on this
wood floor bridge. 
I turned west and
headed toward the town’s center. They had a large square with shade trees and
2 water towers. 
I couldn’t find the
restaurant, but did spot City Hall right next to the police station. I parked
and went inside the city office to inquire about nearby places to spend the
night, since I was beat. The city clerk/worker said she didn’t know of any motel
or place to camp except at Waverly Lake, but I’d probably passed that six miles
back west. I told her I was heading west, so that would be perfect. I then asked
if there was someone at Waverly Lake to take the camping fee, and she said no -
there was no camping fee, and I could set the tent up anywhere I liked at the
lake. What a relief! Next I asked about the restaurant on the square. She said
it was a block up, but didn’t open until 5:00 p.m. It was 2:50 p.m., according to
their wall clock, so I decided to I’d hang around over in the square until
5:00 p.m., eat supper, and head to the lake. This was great! I was done fighting
the wind for the day, didn’t have to worry about where to stay, and was already
picturing the steak dinner I’d be having for supper (if they served steak)!
Thank you Waverly! Before hitting the square, I rode to Casey’s for stuff to
drink: a Dr. Pepper, a large cold water, and a canned coffee drink (for
breakfast). Back at the park, I found an unoccupied area below a shade tree on
the east side of the square, and decided it would work to take a nap. 
I
don’t remember actually falling asleep, but I sure did relax. I also spent some
time sending out an email message and phoning Jim (who’s non-computer-connected,
but wanted to stay informed of my progress, or in this case, lack
thereof). Subject: Day 2 - nap time
Date:
Tuesday, 5-19-2009 4:32 p.m.
Left New Salem at 7:30 a.m.
Made
it to New Berlin at noon
The south wind is a problem.
Arrived in Wavery at
3 p.m. Went to city hall asking about camping. Lake 6 miles west for free. Waiting
for place to eat to open at 5 p.m. Taking nap in park.
Jerseyville
tomorrow!
35 miles so far
5:22 moving
21.3 max speed
6.3 mph
moving
Spent so far (before steak dinner) $5.80 at
caseys
Jeff I also received a Tahdra-forwarded email from the
ferry company: Subject: ferry open
Date:
Tuesday, 5-19-2009 4:33 a.m. (forwarded to me by Tahdra at
7:44 a.m.)
From: Calhoun Ferry Co.
Tuesday, May
19th. Today there is between 4 and 5 inches of water on the ferry road and on
hwy B. at the dip in the road, it is about 5 car lengths long at both spots. You
can see the white line on hwy B. The latest report shows that the river has
crested and should start to drop by this afternoon but that could change, I will
update this as soon as things change. Thank You, The Calhoun Ferry
Company At 4:50 p.m., I went over to a faucet near one of the water
towers and refilled my water bottles. Then I headed over to the restaurant. The
sign on their door indicated they weren’t open on Tuesday’s at 5:00 p.m., just on
other days of the week. Oh well. I went back to Casey’s to buy supper items: a
hot chicken sandwich, cookies, and an energy bar. Headed west on Route 104
for the 6 mile ride to the lake, arriving at 5:55 p.m. The lake was nice - very
nice! 1st off, however, I ate supper. (Sorry, I didn’t wait before
taking the picture). A hummingbird visited while I was eating!  I
got the tent set up on a bluff overlooking the lake and started a fire with wood
that was left in the fire ring. Except for losing a day’s progress, things
couldn’t have been any more perfect! 
I did have another
email from the ferry: Subject: GOLDEN EAGLE AND
WINFIELD OPEN
Date: Tuesday, 5-19-2009 11:01 a.m. (forwarded
to me at 5:33 p.m.)
From: Calhoun Ferry Co.
Tuesday
May 19th. We have moved 1 ferry to Winfield and it will open at 1 p.m. today
and remain open until 9 p.m. tonight, if we get the expected drop we will take it
back to Golden Eagle tonight after we close. The Golden Eagle will remain
open, there is still the same amount of water on the road but the river crested
at 7 a.m. today and it is forecasted to drop a foot by tomorrow (but that can
change). I will send out another e-mail this evening when we get new river
stages. Evening sent email message: Subject:
Day 2 - no steak dinner
Date:
Tuesday, 5-19-2009 7:51 p.m.
After waiting to 5 p.m., found the place is not open
at 5 on Tuesdays. Bought chicken sandwich at Caseys.
Lake is very nice.
40
miles total
25.3 mph max
5:55 moving
6.5 mph
average
Jeff I sent this one to Tahdra to forward to the
ferry: Subject: Re: GOLDEN EAGLE AND WINFIELD
OPEN
Date: Tuesday, 5-19-2009 8:02 p.m. (sent to Tahdra at
8:02 p.m., forwarded to ferry at 10:13 p.m.) Excellent reports!
South wind is
slowing me down.
Won’t be there now until Thursday.
Thanks!
Jeff
Later I received another email from the ferry company. Keep in
mind this company charges $3 for bicycles! The state run Brussels Ferry and
Golden Eagle Ferry were the ones I was hoping to use. One concern was that I
might get into Calhoun County (between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers) and
not be able to get back out. Subject: Re: are you
running?
Date: Tuesday, 5-19-2009 5:40 p.m. (forwarded to me
at 8:23p.m.)
From: Calhoun Ferry Co. We will not be open
tomorrow at Golden Eagle, The water has not dropped out as originally expected.
The Winfield Ferry will be open for most of the day, I will know more in the
morning. You can check the report on the phone at 618-535-5759. You may want
to check with the Brussels state ferry also because they may be closing as
well. Thank You Day 2: 40 miles in 10 hours, 30 minutes = 3.8
mph average travel speed (includes napping time). Spent: $5.80 (drinks) +
$5.64 (supper) = $11.44.
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