Day 115, Lyons Fire Department

The entire campground transformed into a lake overnight. I thankfully had an unscathed spot, but the rain pummeled so hard all night that the seams on my tent started leaking.

Note to self, repair the seams on my tent when I get home.

Despite not waking up in the middle of the lake, my tent was still filled with water. The first break in the storm I moved everything to a pavilion just a few steps away.

Drying out all my gear.

I should have camped in it last night, but I didn't see it in the dark.

With the rain still falling, and absolutely no motivation to ride, I sat under the shelter of the pavilion watch Netflix. This rain is becoming a bit annoying.

You can see the rain falling in the cover photo for this post. Endless rain.

But of course, eventually it cleared up and I hit the road - a muddy bike path.

I found a set of car keys in the mud - for a Subaru and complete with a house key and those little grocery rewards cards. Unsure what to do, I picked them up. I figured that the local grocery store would be able to determine who they belonged to.

But just a mile or two later, I passed a woman riding a bicycle and said, hey, did you loose your keys?

Sure enough, they had fallen out of her pocket.

Pay if forward.

And then I got another flat. I knew it was going to happen - the first patch I applied last night blew instantly, and the second I didn't expect to hold. The patches were months old, subjected to weather extremes and a hostile environment.

I picked up some spare tubes at the Walmart nearby and replaced the tube.

All good so far.

The riding was actually spectacular - wet, but nice. At least it wasn't raining anymore and my tubes were holding air. Enjoy the little things.

With less than thirty miles accomplished for the day, I stopped at the Lyons Fire Department. I saw a sign on the bike path upon entering the town of Lyons to register with them for free internet access, a place to camp and showers.

I met Steve, the on-staff driver. A volunteer fire department, Lyons FD boasts that they have an employee (or driver) on staff 24/7. Steve showed me the facilities and let me clean up.

He also told me the history of the town, gave me great suggestions and went over my route for the next few days. He suggested a few changes to get off the busier roads and ride through the country - something I would have never guessed from staring at Google Maps.

One of his suggestions was to stroll around town during the evening and see all the historic buildings.

Thank you Steve for your company and hospitality. You, and the Lyons Fire Department, are incredible.

I camped in their backyard, a nice grassy lawn right along the canal.

Joe