Through Indianapolis

Day 28

Distance travelled 82 miles
Time in Saddle: 6hrs 30 mins
Overall distance travelled: 2529 miles

I forgot to change my watch over to Eastern Time so I was an hour behind before I started this morning..if you know what I mean. I received a message from Jeff and Martha. They had left me a beer wrapped in ice at the covered bridge I past last night. I saw the bundle on a bench but I didn’t know it was for me. I was gutted. It was quite hot when ` was at the bridge and a cold beer would have gone down a treat. It just show what kind of people they are though…the best.
As I was riding out of Rockville I stopped and asked a couple what the time was. We got chatting and the told me that they were originally from Canada bur moved to America forty years ago. Bill’s family were from Scotland and Gail’s family were originally from Manchester. It’s a small world isn’t it?
It became quite hilly again but it’s not as bad as it was before…I just put my head down and grit my teeth…and of course peddle like mad. It gets me to the top.
I bumped into Jeff and Marsha coming back from Indianapolis. It was great to see them again. Jeff has an operation on his shoulder tomorrow…all the best luck for that Jeff, and a quick recovery. We took some more pictures, they gave me some chocolate, which was appreciated…I love a bit of chocolate. I was on my way once more. I hope we meet again someday they are great people and I feel as if I’ve know them for ages.
I stopped for a drink in a small store in the middle of nowhere. I walked into the shop and it was bristling with guns…as well as food and everything else. It was really weird; there were racks of rifles and handguns….sold like sweets….only in America.
It seems such a contradiction, such a nice friendly people with a fascination for lethal weapons.
As I got to Indianapolis I found myself back on the Interstate…not a good place to be. It was even scarier than the 36 a couple of days ago. The drivers made it clear that I was not welcome. One drove along side me and shouted “are you crazy” I giggled, its what I do when I’m nervous. It probably confirmed his suspicions. After about two very nervous miles I managed to get off onto highway 40. I stopped at a fire station to ask direction. It was called Wayne TWP…they names a place after me….I think not. The guys at the station were great and we had a nice sit down and chat for a while. They even offered me a bed for the night but I wanted to do at least another twenty miles before stopping for the night. Two different drivers offered me a place to stay as I stopped at traffic lights. One of the firemen warned me not to accept any offers in the city so I declined their kind offer. He also told me to watch out for prostitutes and pit bulls…perhaps they looked the same, I was worried. However nothing happened.
I finally got to place called Greenfield and decided to call it a day. The motel I chose was a bit dodgy. There were a load of guys and girls sat outside one of the rooms drinking….one of the guys was the owner. You can’t buy booze on a Sunday in this state but they were obviously drunk. I should have asked for some. I couldn’t get an internet signal in my room so I have to go to the roadside and sit on the grass verge to get a signal…..I bet the motorists think I’m a nutter….not wrong there then.
I was feeling a little bit homesick today…nothing serious but I wanted to hear a British voice so I phone uncle Ken and auntie Hilda…great to hear them. Dave and Angela were there too so I had a chat with them. I was going to phone Daniel and Thomas but it probably would have upset me…I’m missing them lots…. soon be home.
I will probably be in New York in about ten days, well before my intended arrival date. I may rebook my flight to Spain and have more free time once in Europe. I will make up my mind over the next few days, depending on how things go.