With joy, I received the news, while researching the distance to today's ride, that it would only be around 45 miles. My destination, Tipp City, is the hometown of my cousin, Anne Rettig and her husband, Tom. I was excited to see them.

With a major heat wave coming in, and possible thunderstorms later, it seemed like a good idea to get out early. The route suggested by Anne was mostly on country roads and looked like a good one.

The first road, Hwy 121 was my least favorite because, while quite pretty, it was a twisty, turning road that obscured me from drivers approaching from the rear. There were no problems, but I was glad to transfer onto roads that were straighter, with broad curves, allowing excellent visibility for those behind me.

Nonetheless, using my mirrors, I tracked the traffic coming up behind. Once, while climbing a hill, I noted a big truck coming up behind. When it suddenly started decelerating, I looked forward and saw a other semi truck coming towards us. I rolled off the road onto the grass, and let both vehicles pass, without having to deal with me.

Vehicles, often, will accommodate one another. More than once an approaching vehicle has its right tires off the road, in order to give a passing truck more room to get past me. Of course, there have also been times when the passing vehicle has forced the oncoming vehicle off the road, but you can tell when it is voluntary versus involuntary.

I have had several dogs take umbrage with my riding in front of their property. Today, however, was the first time one was seriously angry. It gave chase, and it's growling got closer and closer until it was almost to my seat. I could hear it but not see it. I tried a trick that another rider shared when we were riding in Minnesota. I grabbed my water bottle with my left hand, pushed it under my right arm, pointing it at where the dog seemed be, and gave the bottle a squeeze. Liquid shot out in the dog's direction. I don't know if I hit the dog or not, but one moment there was all this racket, and then everything went completely silent. The dog had stopped, and never resumed it's chase. 

This countryside is very pretty, with most people, farmers primarily, keeping their places manicured. It reminded me if Iowa and eastern Illinois.

Before noon, I pulled into the driveway of Tom and Annes' house. There will be another rest day here. My niece, on Friday, is bringing up her famiiy up from Cincinnati. It will be the first time I will have met her children. It should be fun.

On Saturday, I depart for Pennsylvania, and the hardest part of the trip in eastern United States, maybe of the whole trip. It will start by getting hilly. When I get into the Appalachians, the riding will be tough, with steeper climbs than I have had to face in the west. It is not the heights of the mountain tain, but the steepness of the climb that is concerning. In 2008, this was the only section where I had to get off the bike and walk for a while.

Unfortunately, the heat wave will still be in force for a couple of more days, with the heat index being over 100. On Saturday, it is, at the same time supposed to be raining. I thought rain was supposed to bring temperatures down, but, apparently, not in this case. 

On the up side, I will also be seeing a number of family members during game the last 2 weeks of the trip. I thank God that He had gotten me here safely.