July 15, 2009, Wednesday, Eminence to Ellington, MO

I biked from Eminence toward Ellington where I was pushing up a steep hill, in the high heat up from the Current River. The hill was extremely steep! A couple named Donna and Garland picked me up on this steep slope. I needed little convincing to get into the truck with them. I was wet from sweat today, more than I was wet from the rain yesterday. They dropped me off at Halls restaurant in Ellington where I ate for an hour or so on the salad bar, and the fried chicken. Tom finally showed up hot and hungry.

Tom called Jonathan Swyers, Ellington, MO who is registered on the Warmshowers.org web site. Jonathan picked us up in his pick-up truck within about 10 minutes from the call, and took us to the local grocery store. I bought some fruit for the house, but they would accept nothing else.

At the house, we met Jonathan’s wife Alyssa, and their two daughters Ella, 3, and Demi, who is just a few months old. Jonathan and Alyssa made us feel very welcome in their home. Jonathan, and his father, who is on vacation now, are avid adventure racers, so they love bicyclists.

Today’s total for Paul was just 15 miles, and about 23 miles for Tom.