Every March 15 the buzzards return to Hinckley, Ohio; every March 19 the swallows return to San Juan Capsitrano, California; and every June 2 Crossroads returns to Maysville, Missouri.

Maysville is a small town, but to them we’re just as big a deal as the buzzards. First we’re met at the school with curious looks from all the elementary kids who don’t really know what to make of us. Then we ride in a parade formation into town, where the historical society volunteers feed us, pictures are taken, and we are shown the museum which is complete with a Crossroads jersey on display.

Then it’s back on the road for our 87 mile ride through rolling, often steep hills of Missouri. It’s hot and humid.

Our home for tonight is Chillicothe, where the commercial bread slicing machine was invented. It’s a town full of murals, all painted by Kelly Poling.

Tomorrow we go over more than 140 small hills on our way to Kirksville, Missouri.