Day 17, Sunday, was supposed to be a cross-training day. I had a lot of work, and we had to drive Selena to archeology camp in Kampsville, IL, so I switched Sunday with Monday's rest day. Good thing. We drove up to Kampsville, and I was commenting all the way about how high the river was, and how it was about to storm, and worrying about the river coming up over the road. (I have a serious phobia and recurring nightmare about driving into a river, sometimes off a bridge, sometimes just off the bank) The family kept telling me to take a deep breath, chill and stop being neurotic. We finally got to Kampsville, ate some dinner at a fun place, The Kampsville Inn, which is right on the Illinois river and you can watch the Ferry crossing back and forth while you eat. The storm started, the power went out, briefly, in the restaurant, and we finished dinner. Dropped Selena at the dorm, and got a tour. I said, "We need to get out of here, so we can get home before the road floods!" Again, I was told to "Chill". We left, drove about 4 or 5 miles down the road, and the Sheriff flagged us down and told us to turn around, Highway 100 is flooded. We could see the water streaming over the road, probably 3 feet deep and moving very fast. I began to panic, knowing I had dogs to walk (mine and other peoples'), and not knowing any other way to get home. I made Jacob ask the Sheriff how to get back to St. Louis. He pondered on that for a moment, and said, "Probably the only way to do that is to go up and take the Kampsville Ferry across to Carrollton, and get on 67 to Alton, and cross the river down there." Sigh. At this moment, I had a serious anxiety attack. Actually, it didn't totally hit until we were in line for the ferry. I was crying uncontrollably, trying to be quiet so the kids wouldn't notice, and hyperventilating. Flooding is NOT good, either in the literal sense, or in the psychological sense. Especially if you're me, and they are directly related in both senses! At any rate, we made it across the river, into Carrollton, and started down 67. Jacob was driving faster than I would've, and I told him that. He wasn't worried. Then we hit a sudden patch of flooded road, and he kept it together, but it was scary. A couple miles later, here is another Sheriff. The road is flooded, but he's letting people drive through, slowly. It was probably a foot or two deep. More scary. We made it the rest of the way without major events, but I'd really had enough already. I got my work done and went to bed. I must've been grinding my teeth the entire time, and all night, because I woke up with a terrible earache, and a TMJ attack like I've not had for years.
Today, however, is a new, and better day! A wonderful day. It was still raining buckets this morning, so I gave up my plan to bike to work. I tended the pups and kitties, grabbed some groceries, and came home. I baked an Angel Food Cake, sliced up some strawberries with honey to serve with it (for the family, not me, no berries!). I also bought some strawberry syrup for myself, since I can't have the berries. Jacob got some work done painting beehives.
The sun finally decided to make an appearance, so we packed up some picnic lunch, put the bikes and bike trailer in and onto the van, and went to Grant's Trail, one of our local rails-to-trails projects. It's a perfect place for kids to work on their cycling skills because it's wide, flat, paved and closed to all but foot, bike and skate traffic. Finnegan rode his new bike, I rode my awesome bike, and Jacob pulled Aurora in the Burley trailer. We only did about 6 miles, but it was fun, and Finn worked on passing, announcing "On Your Left", and hand signals. We saw and heard lots of critters, and got a wee little cross training workout.
Came home, dropped Jacob off since he has to work an insane midnight to noon shift tomorrow (Starting at midnight tonight). Took kids with me to care for some doggies, then to Mr. Wizards Frozen Custard!
Came home and took Merlin for a walk. Now the kids are watching a movie, getting ready for Macaroni and cheese and peas, dogs are fed, and all is well.
Tomorrow- 3 miles and pack Finnegan for his first experience at sleep away camp on Wednesday!
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