Stage 13 - Elizabethtown IL, 65mi (104km)

I used the floor pump at the church to inflate my front and back tyre fully for the first time. I had breakfast at Jeri’s Coffee in Clay, where I caught up with Greg who left earlier this morning. 

We decided to spend the day together and take an easy ride towards the state line of Illinois. We carried on to Marion, KY where we stopped at McDonalds. Greg had lunch and I just had a Coke and a smoothie (blueberry with pomme granate) before rolling down to the Ohio River.

As we approached we just missed the ferry. The ferry runs all day with crossings every thirty minutes. There is no charge for passengers or vehicles. We disembarked at Cave in Rock, Illinois, my third state. 

Greg and I looked in vain for the welcome sign so we could take a photo. However, two gentlemen told us that it was on the road north past the junction where the TransAm Trail turns left. 

Greg decided to camp at the state park and so it was time to say good bye and for me another 10 miles of riding towards Elizabethtown. I followed a quiet, scenic and hilly road west, parallel to the river, emerging eventually at Elizabethtown (pop. 350). Here I found the characterful and comfortable River Rose Inn. 

The owners, Sue and Bruce, are a great and very friendly couple. Upon my arrival they were expecting me sitting at the porch and Bruce invited me for a beer. Although I took a room, he allows cyclists to camp at the back if they wish. I would have loved to have a rest day here. It is a picturesque spot with everything you need to relax completely,. A floating restaurant around the corner closes at 7pm but I made it on time and enjoyed a delicious dinner with fish, fries, salad and an apple cake.