Our morning started out pretty leisurely since we didn’t have to get back on our bikes. We enjoyed coffee from a high tech coffee machine in the Burgdorf’s kitchen, very slick, we didn’t have to do anything but press a button! We went through the same routine of packing and loading the car for our drive into St. Louis.
We decided to go to the Gateway Arch National Park and look around. We didn’t have time to go up in the arch, so we went through the museum that is under the arch.
We had made arrangements to meet our Aunt Louise and cousin Bill at the St. Louis Bread Company for lunch. We have seen her every time we have come east for a HD bike ride, so I think this is the 5th time. Last time I rode the KATY Trail, they drove to St. Charles to have dinner with us all. Of course after lunch we had to go to Ted Drewes for frozen custard treats. It is a family owned business, founded in 1930 by Ted Drewes Sr. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a little white building with a pointed roof and windows all across the front. It’s right on one of the alignments of Route 66. You walk up and order from some fresh faced teenager who doesn’t even have to write your order down no matter how complicated, no drive-through, no inside dining. You get it and stand around the parking lot eating it and talking to the other customers, or you eat in your car or on the tailgate of your pickup. I’ve seen families bring lawn chairs! It’s an experience and I love everything about it.
We said goodbye to Louise and Bill and then hit the road on the I-70 across the Southern part of Illinois and into Indiana. We are staying in Martinsville which is halfway between Indianapolis and Bloomington IN. Mike and Babs Hendershot and family are our hosts tonight. Charlotte and Marie met the Hendershots in 2008 during the Cycle the Heartland for HD ride. Distance was about 250 miles, give or take.
What a delight they are! A beautiful home which Mike designed himself. One of their dogs was first to greet us, Hershey, a chocolate lab. Then Mike appeared and brought us into their house to meet Babs and their 16 yr. old daughter Raisa. Another lab, Storm came to say hello too. Mike & Babs have an older daughter, Grace, who is in Guatemala on Medical mission trip with her husband and their baby, and a son, Ben who is a motorsports engineering student at Purdue. We moved our “luggage” to the upstairs, attic room, a big open area that looks like it’s seen lots of fun times, with a ping pong table, foosball table, and air hockey table.
Next we were served dinner, grilled burgers, veggies, salad, chicken and rice and fresh fruit. And especially good water. Martinsville is famous for its spring water, it’s supposed to be the second best in the country. I can say that it’s the best I’ve ever drank!
Another thing Martinsville is known for is goldfish. The world’s largest goldfish hatcheries are located in Martinsville at Grassyforks Fisheries. If you have a goldfish, chances are it’s from Martinsville, Indiana!
One more thing of note, Martinsville has an 800’ high cliff! Coming from Idaho, I’m finding it hard to be impressed by that, but in Indiana where it’s flat from border to border, it’s kind of a big deal!
We met their third dog, a boxer mix named Sky, another friendly fellow.
Babs’ mother lives with them in a very nice wing of their home that is like an apartment, with her own kitchen and laundry room. We visited with her for quite a long time discussing Huntington’s, families, her health, our health and the “good old days”. It was very enjoyable!
OK, that’s it for today.
Good night from Martinsville, Indiana!