Day 15. Cairo ILL to Union City TN. 58 miles

     The day got off to an interesting start. I made it to the Ohio River bridge about 5 a.m. The sun was just starting to peek out as I made my way across. It's about a mile long and rather narrow so I had decided to walk my bike. About a quarter of the way, there were cars coming from both directions, so I totally stopped to let them by. The car behind me stopped to give way also. After the other car passed, he still stayed put with a couple of cars now behind him. A car in the distance, so I figured he was going to wait for him too. The second car gets by and still no movement from behind, so I try moving over a little more holding on to the edge of the railing. Nothing - and then the car's door opens and out comes a policeman. He very nicely told me that it was illegal to ride a bike on the bridge. I told him I was sorry and didn't know that. He asked a few questions and then told me to go ahead. I started walking and they followed. He got out again and asked if maybe I could ride my bike. I said it was a little scary on the side, could I ride down the middle of the lane. His answer was that it would be fine because they were going to follow right behind me so I would be safe and they did just that all all the way across the bridge and a ways down the road. We stopped and had a short conversation along the road about what I was doing. He said he was 25 and would probably have a hard time doing it. He gave some advice in case I had to cross another bridge.  He said call 911 and say it wasn't an emergency, but could someone escort me across. Two fantastic policemen - a credit to their profession!
     The day became one of my favorite with smooth roads and a variety of pretty scenery as I rode through Kentucky. The crops looked really good. The corn was as tall as me and several farmers were starting to harvest wheat. One I talked to farmed 15,000 acres with his brother. It was a little hot when I ended - 94 - but a great day overall. The hardest part was finding our hotel. It took three passes even after calling for directions. :)