Well, once again, I woke to cool air and dew on everything. It made short work of cleaning the bugs off Gonzo this morning. Since I cross into Illinois today, I gain an hour so I slept in to catch up on the sleep I lost last week when I was going the other way. 🙂

US-50 has a personality disorder. It goes between being a lumbering four-lane limited access super-slab clone and then suddenly, changes into a svelte, dancing nymph tripping gaily around sweeping curves up the hills and then plunging back down to the valleys.

This morning I got the lumbering four-lane personality as I started out, but about 10 miles later, I got the dancing nymph that burrowed through the middle of hard wood forests with trees so tall they formed the arch of a cathedral roof over my head. The sun was poking though the branches pasting dazzling patches of golden light on road as if I was walking down the aisle of a medieval church with the kaleidoscope of colors from the stained glass embroidered on the pews and the floor.

US-50 Just East of Bedford, IN, Was Showing It’s “Dancing Nymph”Personality

Yes, I enjoyed the delights the dancing nymph had to offer this morning.  And once again, about 80 miles from Jefferson City, she came back out to play with me.

As I crossed into Illinois I came upon my first surprise of the day, the Red Skelton bridge.

Entering Illinois-Land of Lincoln, Although He Was Born in Indiana

He Must Have Lived Nearby

I wondered what the connection to the famous vaudeville, radio, movie and television comedian, Red Skelton, could be. Just a few miles further, in Lawrence, IL, US-50 was closed and I detoured through the town where I saw this.

He Was Born in Vincennes, IN

It turns out Red Skelton was born in Vincennes, IN, just on the other side of the Wabash river. And ironically, this radio station was next door to the trailer advertising his museum.

Radio Station Next to Red Skelton Museum-Coincidence?

A coincidence? I think not. 🙂

And, in keeping with the theme of Red Skelton comedy, I crossed this river a few miles later.

I Wonder What The River Did To be Embarassed?

It was an neat bit of serendipity.

For today’s “speedometer palindrome” I got a double, or triple, depending on how you parse the numbers.

Today’s Double (or Triple) Speedometer Palindrome

I promise, that’s the last speedometer palindrome I’ll burden you with.

At a stop light, I noticed this cogent, succinct and concise political commentary on our President.

A Succinct Political Sentiment in Illinois

And then, it’s time to cross over the Mississippi river south of St. Louis and enter Missouri.

Crossing the Mississippi River Into Missouri

As I rode around the outer perimeter of St. Louis following US-50, I stumbled across “Grant’s Farm“, as in President Ulysses S. Grant who lead the North to victory in the Civil War. Echoes of Gettysburg were in my mind as I detoured to find the farm. I got turned around, but eventually found a sign that shows the Busch’s (as in Beer, not Bush’s, as in Presidents) now own the farm and maintain it.

The Busch Family Owns the Grant Farm Property Now

Original Entrance To Grant’s Farm

They keep various wildlife and the Clydesdales here. I met one of the residents and we chatted about this and that for a few minutes. When I told him about the Trump sticker I saw he almost feel down laughing.

Deer at Grant’s Farm

Deer at Grant’s Farm

Deer at Grant’s Farm

As I was heading back toward US-50 I saw this house on a side street. It looks like Christmas is year round, but upcoming holiday motifs are added when called for.

Interesting House Near Grant’s Farm-Christmas All Year with Pumpkins 🙂

I ended the day in Jefferson City about 4:15 pm. Tomorrow I go to Hays, Kansas and I’m hoping cooler weather is the order of the day as it was today.