Day 17: St. Louis, MO 0 miles; total miles, 843 Friday, May 6, 2016

Rest Day

I arrived at the Battaglia Family home about 3 pm Thursday and was immediately made welcome. Most Warm Showers stays are for a single night, but mine was 3 nights. To explain, John and I were uncertain about our route, days required, and whether weather might limit riding on one or more days. I finally had to book a return flight and the flights from St. Louis (thanks to Southwest in the market) were about 1/3 that as from other, area airports. So I selected Sunday, May, Mother's Day.

Turns out that Nick and I had a lot in common: engineering degree, familiarity with US government contracting, craft beer, and cycling. In addition, Nick and family are poised to relocate to a new position in the Clearfield, UT, area, a city about 45 miles north of Salt Lake City where I previously lived for 27 years. 

After 16 days of riding, I needed a rest day. We had a relaxed time and shared the secrets of No Knead bread. Nick and Erica are fans as the children repeatedly pleaded for another slice.

Nick graciously drove me to the Apple Store to check out my AirBook charging issue. All it required was a hard restart; nothing wrong with the charger or air book. Now, if I can just remember the fix if it happens again. We were obligated to stop by the Craft Beer Store to celebrate on the way home. Bike touring can be trying at times.

Jackson (7), Adriana (2), Nick, and Amelia (5) at St. Charles playground.

Critter of the Day

We have two standard poodles at home, but I do not recall seeing ANY standard poodles on this

 entire trip. No idea why this was named Fee Fee Road.

From my friend Nancy Kessler: Fee Fee Road was named after a French trader Nicholas "Fifi" Beaugenou (probably Hugenot in that area.)