Day 23: Garden of the Gods (Rest Day)

7/7/15: Cave-in-Rock, Ill.

Rest day. We got a cabin at Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins, a few miles up the road from Cave-in-Rock. John and I threw our bikes on the car and drove up there. God, we stank.

Rim Rock’s was a pretty laid back place, owned by an older couple and dogs were allowed. — there were horses, goats, peacocks and other animals on the property.

Later in the day, despite super heavy rains, we hiked Garden of the Gods, one of the few distinguished natural landmarks in Illinois. You’d never guess it if Chicagoland were the only place you’d seen in Illinois. Southern Illinois, and anywhere near the major rivers, really, reveal surprising terrain to those willing to venture out of the endless urban confines up north.

We knocked out some much-needed grocery shopping and grilled dinner at the cabin. Over wine and beers, John and Michelle exchanged tales of their time in central America.

Tomorrow, we’d head out across southern Illinois and make our way toward the Mississippi.