Strip joints, Cairo and Kentucky

We have been in Missouri for six days, given our daily ride distance that is a long time for us to be in one state,  It's been a  great state to us, extremely attractive, diverse in its scenery and agriculture and, as with all of the States so far,  peopled with  great  folk.  The time has come for us to move on,  briefly to  Illinois  and then to Kentucky.


To go from Missouri to Illinois  you cross the Mississippi. This is one big river you cross on this bridge.

What can one say about Illinois?  Well its a shock coming into the state after the Missouri, why is this you ask?  Well the first building after the bridge is signed as being the ultimate strip joint. This shortly followed by what the owners describe as a 'brown bag' book shop.  You can be sure the books were not about brown, or any other bags. That was a surprise I have to say. This is the first such joint seen for the 3,000 miles and here it is at just gone dawn after crossing the mighty River Missouri.

The very last town in Illinois is Cairo, and a very sad place to see as well, A town that's commercial success was based on river traffic and the roads, river traffic now much reduced and the road changed once the the building of a new bridge over the mighty Mississipi and the town was bye - passsed.

Its history is well worth a second look, to do so click here

What Cairo does have is a great motel, or, what I can say without fear of contradiction, a good sign for a motel.

In addition to the motel visitors may want to check out the airport at Cairo.

so after Illinois and Cairo you are than on to Kentucky.

Another River Crossing, this time the Ohio River, another majestic river that will add its water to the Mississipi at Ciaro

Finally into Kentucky.

So beautiful and so different, to Missouri.

I always think of horses when it comes to Kentucky, and this farmer was happy to have photographs taken of his animals, quarter horses it seems. These are working horses, worked by farmers to work with cattle mainly. I guess the term is cowboy but somehow that doesn't seem to fit. Horses to work cattle and men to do it.  Men like this one:

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