031: Days 38, 39 May 16 and 17:Matteson to Morris Il (Where the local High School is also dropping their Redskins name and logo): 51 miles today and 1300 in total (m365.8)

We had about 17 miles of the Old Plank Trail left this morning. We continued enjoying the trail surroundings. 

Christine had to test out a bench next to the Trail.

When we came to the Town of Frankfort, there was a Farmer's Market on the go and we had to stop. We enjoyed the variety and soon stopped at a stand to buy two of the best German Bratwurst Rolls, smothered with onions and peppers. We left Frankfort with full tummies and broad smiles.

Just west of Frankfurt we crossed a busy road on a suspension bridge where the carrier structure is made up of two straight pipes - aesthetically pleasing.

This Trail is very well-used by people from all parts of the community. We saw groups of cyclists of all ages, backgrounds, and gender, joggers, walkers, prams, etc. We could not speed up, but it did not matter, we enjoyed the overall friendliness of the people.

We crossed the Interstate 80 on the new bridge.

We kept on enjoying the countryside and 

soon reached the end of the Old Plank Trail in Joliet. 

We agreed that, even though this trail is almost a straight line from beginning to end, it is one of the more beautiful trails we cycled along so far. 

We cycled for about 3.5 miles on the road through Joliet to the Town of Rockdale to link up with the next trail. 

We passed so many impressive homes built over the last 100 year. Many if them are in serious decay. However, this National Historic Landmark, the Jacob Henry Mansion, is most impressive. Currenlty it is used for weddings and other social events.

We crossed the Des Plaines River on this draw bridge. 

I had to include this sign post at the start of the Illinois-Michigan Canal, our cycle route for the next 65 miles. This is colorful and well-designed with easy to read and easy to digest information. 

From the start we saw that this is a much larger canal than the C&O Canal or the Eire-Ohio Canal, but the beauty still remains.

We had to stop for a snack.

We enjoyed the Herons and the reflections very much.

We also had some "obstacles." I had to smile on the painted lettering on the bridge girder requesting to please duck. I wonder who came back with some spray paint, after he/she bumped his/her head, to paint this on.😄😄

Amazing.

We passed a couple of locks near Channahon where the Au Page River crossed the canal.

We passed an area where the Des Plains River runs below the old canal.

We also saw a large barge approach the Dresden Lock and Weir. 

We passed the Aux Sable Aqueduct and another Lock on our way to Morris.

Just after Morris, the Trail is closed due to some flood damage. After today's about 51 miles we were tired and did not see why we should camp in a tent with the rains coming. So, we made the correct decision to stay in a hotel for the next two evenings.  

This was dinner - cheese bagels and smoked Gouda cheese from the Frankfort Farmers' Market, Salami from Louise and Lizl and apples from a nearby store. We finished the moonshine some time ago, so we stuck with coffee and a Cadbury's Milk Chocolate for desert. 

And this is the front page of the local newspaper. The High School is also going to change its name and logo. YIPPPPIEEEEE.