“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                            SUMMER TRIP 2023

Look what you can find if you get off the Interstate.

        I knew the second day of the trip was going to be difficult. The temperature was going to be higher, and I wanted to get past Chicago without getting near it. I came up with a good route, but it was going to take an hour longer than the first day. 

This is the Ohio, Indiana border on US 224. So far excellent riding.

        The route started in Galion Ohio. US 30 west almost to the Indiana border. Then take US 224 west until it runs into US 24. Then US 24 west, across Indiana and Illinois until it runs into I 39. Then I 39 north to US 20 west. US 20 west to Dubuque Iowa. Easy, huh?

A stop in the fertile countryside in Ohio.

        US 30 west from Galion to the Indiana border is like an interstate: 4 lane highway with a large grass median. As I rode it struck me how green and fertile Ohio is. Beautiful agricultural fields stretched away  to the horizon on both sides of the highway. This is an aspect of Ohio that most people miss. I found it very similar in Indiana and Illinois.

Fertile fields of Illinois along US 24.

        US 224 was very different than US 30. Most of it is 2 lanes, with stretches that wind through wooded areas the cast shadows across the road. Sometimes it was riding through a tunnel formed by the trees. There were times it was curvey, pleasantly so. Simply good riding. It intersected US 24 at Huntington. 24 west from Huntington is a major road, so it is a 4 lane highway with a grass median until Logansport. From there it is a pleasant two lane highway. Reaching Kentland, which is the last town before the Illinois border. I decided to have lunch. One of the things I enjoy most on these trips is finding the restaurant where the locals eat. I found a family restaurant in Kentland and had a good lunch. So far everything was going well.        

Along US 20 just before Galena Illinois.

        The plan went awry when US 24 was closed at Chenoa just 16 miles from I 39. I navigated through the Illinois countryside finally finding an on ramp to I 39. Then it was turn and burn up to Rockford where I hit US 20. I had spent a lot of time in the saddle, and the day was getting hotter, and more humid. 

You can seem just how much traffic I hit navigating across 

Indiana and Illinois on back roads.

        Arrived in Dubuque around 6:45 local time. It added up to 11 hours in the saddle, with increasing hear and humidity as the trip drew to a close. It was a tiring day. Checked into the hotel, turned the AC down to 66, went the Texas Roadhouse for an excellent steak dinner. Time to rest up and recharge for what should be an easier day tomorrow.