Chesterfield, IN August 6

Chesterfield, IN. It's been a long couple of days. Yesterday (Thurs) we rode 82 miles from Iroquois to Rossville, IN. Rossville was a very pleasant town. I think it helped that we met one of the town's councilmen and reserve policemen in the first 10 min of being there. He was able to bend the rules a little and let us stay in the city park, something not normally allowed. There weren't any showers there, but I convinced one of the residents living across the street from the park to let us use her hose in the driveway. Probably the most fun shower I've had yet! The night was made when better when Anne, a mutual MatE friend of ours from ISU who now lives in Indy, drove up to hang out with us and take us out to dinner. It was great to see a famil
iar face, especially since we have been in Iowa- and RAGBRAI- withdrawal.

Today (Fri) we did 86 miles from Rossville to Chesterfield. The biggest highlight from today was eating at a roadside diner for lunch. We thought Sherill's Eat Here and Get Gas diner was just a normal place-that is until they got the call from the Food Network, while we were there, asking them to be featured on an upcoming episode of a show about diners. Everyone got a little crazy in the restaurant after the call came in and we have been invited back for the filming and the episode showing party...we'll see if we can make it! Our original plan was to stay in Anderson tonight at Mounds State Park. However, we were turned away when we arrived late in the day because the campground was full. It's unfortunate, but this has been our most unpleasant encounter with locals. The park ranger was downright rude to us and it caused some frustration and anger on our part. Fortunately, there was another campground about 5 miles away that did have room (although 25/night!). I just have to remind myself that for every rude person we've encountered, including people who shout at us on the road, there are at least twice as many
who go out of their way to help us. And, in the end, we got showers and even laundry done here. Tomorrow we head south!