as journaled by Brittany
33 miles
9:42
Happy Father’s Day! Our preparations for beginning to move out are proceeding well enough–but the spectre of a day’s travel twice that of Day One hangs over us. It doesn’t help that we have a bad track record when it comes to Father’s Day adventures.
Take the time Joshua and I got lost trying to go on a bike ride with Daddy and Elise, or the hike we tried to take while in Utah that turned into an unmitigated disaster (along the lines of the Fellowship trying to take the Pass of Cahadras). Basically, it’s become of a running joke in our family. Still, you cross your fingers!
Well, I need to to get back to work. To all the fathers out there–keep up the good work!
11:00
Departure
13:43
Eating lunch in the Chicago Botanical Gardens after going 10 miles into our ride. It’s a nice place to stop, I must admit. We’ve had a few small breaks before now–for maintenance and bathroom stops–but not enough to last longer than 15 minutes.
It turns out that the wheels of my burley (trailer) have actually been rubbing against the sides of the burley. I don’t know if this has been going on for a while, or if it just started today, but it’s much better now and I have yet to lose much speed.
Looks like the girls might lose their own burley. We’ve only been keeping light stuff in there and they can switch out with each other on the tandem, but it’s tiring them out. The Wilsons are going to meet us at the campground, so they’ll probably take it off our hands then.
18:13
We’ve been traveling on the Robert McClory Bike trail since leaving the Botanical Gardens, and it’s led us through some gorgeous landscape. We have nine miles left to go and are itching to finish them. This path is really letting us hit our stride–and I spent quite some time drastically outpacing the rest of the slowpokes in my family.
We’re now stopped at a small gas station in the suburb of North Chicago (probably around Waukegan, according to Daddy) to grab some basic supplies (ice, bread, diet coke–all the essentials) and re-water ourselves and to use the restroom.
Hopefully we’ll make camp soon.
20:08
Arrival
20:20
The campground we’re staying at is gorgeous and right by the lake–something I must admit we’ve been looking forward to all day.
As I write this, the sun goes down and though it’s cloudy tonight, colors the sky a muted pink. The trip might be worth it just for nights like these.
21:39
We are, in fact, getting rid of a burley. For a while I thought we might not–Elise’s/Cora’s bike had a wheel that was rubbing their frame and generally making things hard for them (fixed now) – but they just weren’t able to handle the extra weight, no matter how light we tried to make it.
It’s pitch dark outside now, and it looks like we won’t be swimming in the lake tonight. Sad–I’m covered in sweat, and I was really looking forward to it. Still there are hot showers here (though I might prefer cold) and we can still clean off.
The Wilsons have come over to say goodbye and bring us some last minute essentials (diet coke, life jackets, lighter sleeping bags, and corn on the cob for dinner) and they’ll be taking the burley back with them. They’re amazing friends, and we’re so lucky to have their help.