Day 2 - Monday, May 21; Burlington, Ia to Hamilton, Il (53 miles)

Susi and I slept in a bit this morning and after breakfast at McD’s, she dropped me off on the Illinois-side of the US34 Mississippi River bridge. It was windy and cold when I started at 9:30 AM. The wind was from the north so it was a tailwind when riding south and a crosswind when riding east (the only two directions I rode today). I stopped for a late lunch in Nauvoo, IL. I took a little time to ride around town and take the obligatory photos of the Mormon temple. It really is a spectacular structure and the view overlooking the river very pretty. From Nauvoo to Hamilton was only about 18 miles all of which is immediately next to the Mississippi River. The views were spectacular and the sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline very relaxing. I’m camping at the Wildcat Springs Park in Hamilton. For $10 it has a very nice and shady campground next to the swimming pool. The pool is not yet open but the pool building has a family restroom with a single shower which the park superintendent will leave open all night. I have the place completely to myself. It is supposed to get down to the upper 40’s tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be heading south to Quincy, IL then on to Hannibal and the Mark Twain Cave Campground – probably about 65 miles but I think relatively flat with only a slight breeze out of the south predicted.


Entering Illinois on US34



The Morman Temple in Navuoo, IL (above), view from the front of the temple overlooking the Mississippi River (below)

(2 photos together?) Top - statues in front of Morman Temple; Bottom - Beautiful ride along the Mississippi River between Navuoo and Hamilton, IL

Home for the night at Wildcat Springs Park in Hamilton, IL