Andy had two simple tasks for today. The first was to find somewhere interesting to spend tonight with a view to a bit of sightseeing tomorrow. The second was to go and check out a hotel I stopped at – as I’ve got the satnav I usually ride in front. As to the first task, he chose Springfield where he said there where famous caves that they ran tours through. Well after visiting The Gateway Arch in St. Louis we stopped for Brunch. Experience told me to check the caves out at this junction. Now apart from the fictional town that Homer Simpson lives in, there are probably another fifty odd Springfields spread across America, and the one with the caves was about three hundred and fifty miles away going in the opposite direction to the one we wanted to go in (there is also a Springfield about one hundred miles away towards Chicago). Doh! We laughed. I then suggested we go to Hannibal where Mark Twain lived. It’s on the Mississippi and has a cave to explore (Andy likes the idea of caves as they’re cool and he’s feeling the heat at the moment). Once there Andy was sent into the downtown hotel I stopped at. Out he came with a long face saying he didn’t think much of it. After a little discussion we went back; river view, breakfast included, indoor swimming pool, friendly staff and $90 – what’s not to like?
As to the day generally, we did about two hundred and thirty miles, crossed the Mississippi about five times and rode some lovely roads. Equally though we rode over some plains that were thirty or forty miles of just flat empty farmland. We didn’t go into the city centre of St. Louis as experience has taught us that big American cities can be a nightmare to ride into for not much gain, especially if you’re wearing all your hot and heavy motorcycle gear. We did though ride through very empty and poor suburbs on the east side of the river. Lots of empty and rundown factories and houses and dreadfully maintained roads – not somewhere we wanted to stop at. Interestingly we’ve noticed that there are never any pull-ins on the roads nor any public toilets. A hundred miles and not one lay-by! What do Americans do when they want a wee? After booking into the hotel in Hannibal and cooling down, we went for a stroll to the banks of the Mississippi – which is pretty huge even this far upstream. Then to the Mark Twain Brewery where not only do they brew beer but they also have a bar and restaurant. Had a light dinner as we’ve been eating too much generally and then retired early as we’re both knackered. Good day. Mark Twain’s caves tomorrow.
