What an adventure from start to finish and were grateful to all those who made that possible.

Thanks to ‘No freeways Normie’ we managed to ride all the last day in NOT on freeways until we were 50kms out and then not for long so we just enjoyed the corn and bean crops and wound our way through country towns soaking it all up for future reference.

We have had the absolute best time and have handed the keys in to the bike shop and will make a decision in the near future if we will come back again or move on. Was surreal giving the guys at the shop a hug and hoping we will see them again but not being sure. They have been awesome and made so much possible for these two Aussies.

We have packed up all our gear to come home, as well as leaving a bit behind which will hopefully go to good homes, so if we don’t return it doesn’t matter, and if we do we bring everything we need. But now we have had a shower and are rearranging the luggage in cases before we head down for dinner and then fly out tomorrow. And will be hugging our Aussie family very soon. We are grateful for the safe travelling and the incredible experiences we have had. Too much to take in, but we will try.

While we went to bed in the daylight, this is what the bridge outside out\r hotel window looked like in the dark.

And heading out of Peoria this morning we spotted the double steeples and swung by for a quick photo.

And to after all the lovely tidy barn shots we’ve taken; this will balance it out with one quickly being overtaken with time.

And another two.

And a bit of a view of the passage of time on the land .... and that spec is me disappearing down the road.

Almost back to Chicago and passed this. Too good not to stop for a pic. We have seen heaps so recorded this for posterity.

And some equipment we thankfully don’t need but were grateful through the trip that others do, especially on the Beartooth Pass.

And finally, the keys on the desk at the bike shop and no longer on my key chain or in Norms pocket when we are off the bikes. Felt weird.

Last nights' accommodation:

Mark Twain Hotel, Peoria.

An old and somewhat tired little hotel trying hard to make the quirky look appealing and managing that to a degree. Room was comfortable and facilities good and another walk-in shower which I love. There is a delightful little sitting area and library downstairs though very dark, and the on-site restaurant is permanently closed so a good hike to get to dinner through a lot of road construction and in a reasonably dodgy part of town. No pics.

Well today has been somewhat bittersweet. It was our last full day on the road and tonight is the last night’s accommodation on the road before we head into Chicago tomorrow to return the bikes, pack up all our bits and pieces and head to an Airport Hotel ready to fly out the following day. We have had an absolutely brilliant time and loved every minute of it. We have loved getting out and on the bikes day in and day out riding and exploring what this lovely country has to offer and meeting all sorts of characters along the way. We, as always have found the American people to be extremely courteous and their drivers largely much more generous and courteous than we do at home, and the roads!!! Have been bewdifull!!! It really shows us how our roads in Victoria especially but in a lot of Rural and Regional Australia all over have diminished to something resembling a third world country standard and that’s not likely to improve anytime soon as our governments are hell bent on propping up renewable energy projects and throwing every last cent at that and other projects for ribbon cutting by politicians. Truly disgraceful.

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Peoria USA – 153m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travel’s today – 287m

Noblesville, like many other rural towns is madly trying to reboot their downtown and it was a very attractive little town. This is a street view.

And another with Norm patiently waiting for me to take photos.

And the town hall as well.

Just when I thought I'd only see fields of corn and beans and out of the blue a few longhorns. Man, their necks must be strong!

And literally in the middle of cornfields, a farmer must have decided to diversify his business plan. There was a heap of machinery.

And a quaint little barn along the way. one of many and Norm was disappointed he missed a shot just past here of a collapsing ancient timber barn with an old wagon minus the canvas cover protruding from the end. Nowhere to park. Ah well you get that.

And a sizeable bridge from our hotel window. We didn't agree with the reception staff that it was a short walk across it and then over a hill to dinner! We got a cab during the rain to an Irish Pub this side of the river and walked home.

Last nights' accommodation:

A very comfortable space to check into and a restaurant / pub on site so very convenient anytime but would be even more so if the weather was unfriendly. Staff helpful and friendly. Room comfortable and spacious. Another walk-in shower yay!  It was lovely to hear they are also an on-site training center for people with disabilities and are committed to having a staff with 20% who do have a disability. It was a lovely feel. They are doing it well. Have included lots of photos.

We had a lovely day of riding and Norm as is his habit managed to avoid almost all the interstates  which is a challenge with the GPS because it keeps sending us to them, so we wound our way through lush farmland and forest and quirky little towns on winding roads following the terrain and it was just lovely and best bonus was a comfortable temperature to ride in and no rain..Yay!!

Some interesting facts: Elevation above sea level. 

Canton USA – 285m

Mount Kosciusko Australia –2,228m

Traralgon Australia (hometown) – 60m

Highest elevation on our travel’s today – 482m

Picturesque farm buildings early in the day. 

Specie building on the way.

Mt Hope, obviously an Amish community with lots of cabinetry, wagons and horse poo on roads.

And then another specie public building on our trip. This was in an area / town called farmland...no kidding.

Beautiful sculpture dedicated to the demise of the bison in Muncie.

And another angle.

The Horizon Convention Centre attached to the Hotel. The Hotel is also a training hotel which is good to see.

And beside the Convention Centre is The Children's Museum, the title of this sculpture is 'wait for me'. So typical!

Some interesting buildings around the square.

Last nights' accommodation:

Doubletree Hilton, Canton Downtown.

A lovely hotel and room and YAY!! A restaurant on site so we didn’t have to go and try and find one. Did the blog in the restaurant and had a drink in Happy Hour as well so win win. Comfortable room and a walk-in shower, oh how I have missed that, only the the second or third for the whole trip! The rest of our previous group would have loved it as we have. No pic.