I was facing stormy wind and exhausted from cycling against it in the heat in the middle of nowhere. The first building was a small winery and it was open. For Karen’s birthday Party. So I really became one brought with the wind.

Everything what happened next just blowed up any mind. Look at this place, look at this people, look at this food. I was taken to Collette and Sam, the owners, house for a night to be taken to Kathy’s place for another night. Because – they screamed – St Louis is dangerous and they will not let me cycle through it. Oh my dream of cycling across the Mississippi river…

What I got instead! Famous Casa Loma welcomed me with special sign and I’ve got my first swing lesson. I didn’t take any one picture because I was so busy dancing! luckily they put enough in FB.  I stayed a week in Kathy’s house and met her Mom, 35 cousins, uncles and ants living around. One of them sew a coat for my bear Bear to be presented in Casa Loma and girls started fundraising for our future book. Oh, yes, a Belleville News Democrat wrote a story which actually initiated what is happening.