Heading West Young Man!

Finally done with the interstates....

This morning was a little slower getting going....we are just starting to get our groove on the road and now with the worst of the heat behind us (for now), we decided this would be an easy ride day.....it turned out to be easier than we thought.

We started on the I80 in a bit of rain and rode on to the I76 and I71.  We finally found Hwy 224 W and the day just got better from there...the ride through Akron, OH was the last bit of heavy interstate we encountered and happy to have that behind us for now.

The temperatures today really cooperated which also made for a much better ride....a nice 24C was a welcome reprieve from yesterdays heat.  Although we had a bit of rain, it still made for an enjoyable ride.

On the 224 we left all the traffic behind.  The clouds however continued to chase us...we did our best to dodge them as we were actually running through mostly farm country...not many stops or places to take cover...fortunately when we could no longer dodge the clouds, we came upon a BP gas station just as it started to rain,...we took cover under the canopy to put on our rain gear just as the skies opened up and the thunder and lightning show started.  One poor couple from nearby Findlay were not quite get as lucky...the rolled in not long after us coming off route 6, soaked to the bone.  As we got ready to leave the rain was slowing...we had another hours ride to Findlay where we would stop for the night.

Hwy 224 - Farm Country in Ohio

We got a room at the Hampton Inn (I am kinda liking the life of a Princess lol), showered up and headed to the Beer Barrel for supper.

On the table

On the menu

The Beer Barrel....unique place...they have their own app that you can order ahead and then pick up in a drive-thru...they have a huge menu....they have a ton of craft beer...they have great staff!...we each tried a beer flight (tasting of 6 different craft beer).....good thing we always walk to where we are eating!

We shared half a rack and then did half of the track!

.....and at the end of the evening, we plan our route for the next day........

Until tomorrow...when the adventure continues....

















The sunset as we walked back, seems to indicate a promising day tomorrow.  One thing for sure is that we weren't as tired at the end of today as we have been the last two.  As beautiful and as nice as the Interstate is, it still requires a great deal of engagement of all your senses to navigate, especially in heavy traffic.  The back roads are definitely a lot more fun and relaxing, even in the rain.