Iroquois, IL to Peru, IN 100 miles.

Well, after yesterday's post I headed on to Logansport where the signage was extremely confusing and I got caught up for about 1/2 hour. While getting my bearings using maps at a convenience store, it started pouring rain. That lasted for about 5 minutes and within another 5 minutes, the streets were dry. I headed on towards a campground in Peru, about 15 miles away.
Never made it. Halfway there it started raining in earnest, complete with much lightning. I took shelter under the eaves at someone's house and waited for about 15 minutes. The immediate storm passed and I continued on, though it was still raining. After three days of record heat, and as the temps were still in the high 80s, the rain actually was refreshing.

As I approached within 4 miles of Peru, the heavens opened and the storm resumed, a deluge this time. I waited under a bridge for a few minutes and when it seemed that it was now or never, I went on the last two miles into Peru. The rain was really pelting now and the lightning became more frequent, so when I saw the MOTEL sign ahead, I made straight for it.

Turns out the county I was in had a severe thunderstorm warning and two counties southward had tornado warnings. After I got settled in the room, the storm really picked up — I had made it through what could only be called the "best" part of the storm. I walked across the street to a chinese restaurant and had dinner while watching the lightning flashing every few seconds. The lights in the restaurant flashed a lot, but to the credit of the power company, they only went out once for about 30 seconds and came back on within another 30. Guess they know how to deal with lightning out here.

Anyway, my legs are in no rush to get moving today, even though it's beautifully clear and cool out. I'm sore & tired after two big mileage days in the heat and the excitement and frantic pedalling last night. I'm heading to the Ohio border today, and should make to my sister's on Thursday. Friday will be a long-needed day off.