Having spent most of the night either attempting to get through to the HSBC Expat Contact Centre or talking to them on the phone, time to get on the road came all too soon.
The solution HSBC had come up with involved a ‘Visa Encashment’, which basically involves us taking dollars out of our USD account in Jersey via a Western Union money exchange with approval from Visa… what could possibly go wrong?
Up early with an unladen bike I headed out with Google Maps showing the location of all local Western Unions within a 3-mile radius. After visiting the first few on the list and discovering that a Western Union on Google Maps is often just a service provided over the counter in a local convenience store, offering transactions no greater than $200, my hope of a speedy resolution to our cash problem was dying fast. I only had approval for a single transaction and $200 would get us far. Nine Western Unions and 12 miles later I was back at the hotel no further forward.
Time was not on our side as it was a long ride to Litchfield, so we headed out with enough dollars for a few days so long as we didn’t splash out on items such as food and accommodation!
The first section on the day’s ride took us along a busy road with mile upon mile of retail outlets, giving more opportunities to not find a Western Union with the ability to issue the funds approved by Visa.
Another roadside giant to visit and we were getting close to the outskirts of the city and back into more rural roads. Just across the road from the giant, this one advertising a mechanics workshop, an SUV pulled over and a chap wound his window down to ask how we were doing. The conversation got on to our bank card problems, to which he asked if we needed money. We said we were okay and just needed to find a big Western Union, but I continue to be humbled at the generosity of strangers.
Finally, we were out of Springfield and in the countryside, cycling down the old Route 66, which was now no more than a country lane, flanked by field of corn.
The rest of the day’s cycling, although though beautiful scenery, was quite uneventful. As we were running behind the day’s schedule due to the countless diversion to find a Western Union, it became more of a ‘head down and get there day’.
With the temperature hovering around 30oC, the liquid was the main consideration, with us rationing between the next service station or town. The blow often came when the thought of a cold drink at the next stop was knocked on its head with the sight of a closed sign or a ghost town.
At the town of Waggoner, an SUV pulled us over. Larry a local had just been to the orchid and ask if we wanted a few apples, which we took with thanks. Larry also give us an arrowhead, which I didn’t ask if it was made recently or from a time when it would be been used for hunting. A lovely gesture and something that will make its way into our memory trinket cabinet when we get home in December. Wow… that seems like a long way off.
We were heading to Litchfield, with a plan to camp in a lakeside campground, however, after a brief stop at a garage for another brain freezing ice drink, we passed a campsite just off Route 66 that was too inviting to pass.
Kamper Kompanion RV Park was our new bed for the night. It would make tomorrow just that bit longer, but we needed an early stop and a chill out after the lack of sleep the night before.
As the temperature was just right and there were tables and benches conveniently placed under the lights of the reception building, we sat and caught up with life back in Scotland through into the early evening and we couldn’t keep our eyes open any longer.
Doing well guys, keep it up. Out sailing today, very wet at times and autistic clients loved it. You are both doing a great job and hoping enjoying the experience.
Best Shaun Mochan
Thanks Shaun. We had our first daytime downpour today. It was warm rain, which beats the Clyde, but the amount of rain that came down would be hard to beat. It certainly helps with our motivation when we think of the great work the able2sail does… and how lucky we are to be able to do this. Regards Bob
I’ve really enjoyed reading about your travels. Some of your pics were just blocks away from where I live in Springfield. Larry (the guy you met) told me about your journey. I hope you finish with a favorable impression of the US and Springfield, IL! Thanks for sharing.
Hello Ian, thanks for your message. Springfield was our first rest day, although walk close to 20 miles around the city visiting historic sites and soaking up the atmospher. Ten years ago I spent a lot of time in California, but this is the first time we travelled through the other states on our journey. We had a great time in the US and most certainly left with a favourable impression in so many ways.