Day 18, Thursday, May 8


North Vernon, Indiana, to Hickory Ridge Horse Camp, Hoosier National Forest

After breaking camp we heard two miles to get back to North Vernon and our route. We knew we had plenty of time to get to our next camp, so we took our time at the curiously named Hos Coffee.

We spent a while in there taking advantage of the free coffee refills before getting back on the road. For 15 miles we headed almost exclusively due west on Indiana's county road grid, and it was extremely flat. This suited us just fine because we were both lacking our normal morning enthusiasm. 

 
You cannot ride the flats forever, and eventually we crossed I-65 and ride through more rolling hills into Seymour, Indiana, home of John Mellencamp.

We had an early lunch there, them headed back out into the desolation of central Indiana. And I do mean desolate. There are farms, of course, but they are big, and far apart. And there is absolutely no place to stop and buy a coke. On the third day in this state it is still a mystery to me where they buy gas and snacks.

The hills seemed to get progressively longer and steeper, but eventually we did arrive at our turnoff to the campground we chose for the night. It is a free campsite in Hoosier National Forest, intended primarily for house campers but anybody can start here. Best of all it is less than three miles off route.

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