Day 21 - Back Across the Mississippi, Into Illinois

We crossed the Mississippi again (2 earlier crossings in Minnesota), and entered the Land of Lincoln.  The ACA route enters Illinois near Muscatine, IA (where we last biked).  We decided to drive down the Iowa side farther south to bike Illinois on a different route so we could see Nauvoo (main Mormon settlement from 1839 - 1845) & Springfield (Lincoln's hometown).  Illinois is all corn & soybeans as far as we could see today (from Ft. Madison to Macomb, IL).    Illinois rivals Iowa for the US lead in soybean production, and I believe it.. Thoughts for the day:

1. Illinois lives up to it's 'Land of Lincoln' nickname.  Every small town that had any type of Lincoln connection or campaign visit posts a historical sign.  They are fun to read on the journey.
2. Visiting Nauvoo gives one a great appreciation for early pioneers.  They forged a good life (for a short period) out of very difficult circumstances.  The temple, rebuilt in 2002, is beautiful.
3. The severe Midwest drought we have heard about is very apparent looking at the Illinois cornfields.  I understand better why corn prices have spiked 60% in 3 months.
4. I had to ride around the West Prairie High School Cyclones football team practice to get a close up view of their stadium surrounded by corn & soybeans. 

 County Courthouse in Macomb, IL