Days – 65, 65, 67 Good Bye Illinois

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But not without some fun. The last three days have seen me knock out miles of 60 plus a day. I am following the Adventure Cycling Association’s Eastern Express route from St. Louis to Indiana. This gives me the security of a planned route. In Illinois this mostly follows the “National Road” the first highway in the US. That is pretty cool as a civil engineer who builds roads but the down side is a ton of highway miles. Some parts are the old alignment off highway and rural low volume but I have had many, many miles of higher volume, no shoulder, poor quality pavement roads. I would say half the miles have been hold on and just get them done grinders.

Needless to say most of Illinois has felt like work and not much fun. Today changed that just before putting the state behind me. What I needed was golf! Casey, Illinois had a course and as I investigated it I saw they have the world’s largest golf tee. A nine hole local track, built in 1929, with a roadside attraction? Yes please!

Casey’s tag line is “Big Things Small Town”. The down town has over 10 world’s largest items and another dozen previously largest items. The down town is beautiful with great landscaping and bright inviting store fronts. Turns out a local man is responsible for the Big Things and started it to give back to his town. It has taken a down on its luck town and revitalized it with tourism. The items spread out all over down town pulls tourist from the highway and walks them past all of the town’s businesses. Some items are even in the shops.

Enough being a tourist , I came for the golf. Casey Country Club is a great little town course. I was welcomed in and was a little concerned when I was only charged $11 for nine holes. The lady working the desk tried to talk me into the daily special of 18 holes (they have multiple tee boxes to change things up on your second loop) and a cart for $20. But I didn’t have time for 18 and I don’t like carts. After explaining I had 50 more miles to bike she understood and sent me off to the first tee. The course was in quite good condition. They were running out of water so things were firm and roll out was massive. The greens were smaller than any course I have played. The designer must have been a fan of Donald Ross as every green was an upside down porridge bowl that repelled every approach shot of mine save one (my only par of the day).

After two holes and being backed up by a group in front of me Bill a local rolled up in a sparkling gold vintage golf cart from the 60s complete with a front mounted cooler. I invited him to join me and he obliged. He had been playing this course since he was a teen, so a long time. He had lots of good local member advice and my play improved from it. He filled me in on more of the “Big Things” lore and more importantly provided me with excellent company to pass the time as we waited for the “chuckle heads” (his words not mine) in front of us.

30’ TALL!

I had the one par and got plenty of chipping practice. My driver has developed a significant slice so we will have to figure that out before my next big round.

I made it to Indiana by the end of the day. This means I am now on Eastern Time and that much closer to DC. Four more states to go! Today reminded me of why I wanted to do this trip. It is easy to get caught up with miles and forget to actually see the country I am crossing. Over the next few weeks I have miles to do but also some fun touristy things I am really looking forward to. Stay tuned.

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