Day 7 | 77 miles to the Mississippi River

Last night we saw Cheap Trick, a lot of old throw back shows this week. A lot of fun for sure.  

The morning started off with a bike tour through the campus of the University of Iowa. Below is Kinnick Stadium. 

Around the other side of the campus we stopped and talked to the Hawkeye. Notice the building in the background. It is the old capital of Iowa. 

We stopped for breakfast around campus and then we were off to many other stops.  

Check out the sign and population of Atalissa. 

I know some grumps, except they don't live in Iowa. 

This is their fire chief and his truck. 

We stopped at a petting zoo along the road in Wilton.  This girl showed us her little pigs, and she had a great sense of humor. We asked her their names. Bacon and Pork Chop. Then of course, we had to ask her if she was going to keep them as pets? And she said, oh no we will eat them. LOL!!

Below is someone else's Beef Cow. 

And then, in town there was more entertainment, a dance class, all two of them. 

Then off to the "finish line" of the Mississippi River to dip our front tires. 

The official completion pose 

And then a finial picture of my friends and  me at the Mississippi.

After finishing the ride, we rode back to our cars, packed up and took showers and were on the road at 4:00 and have about a 9 hour drive ahead of us. 

Thanks for following along, I hope you enjoyed my journey across Iowa. 

Day 6 | 68 miles a little bit of America

Last night we went to the entertainment area and saw Styx. As some of you pointed out on FB it is just the lead singer and some new guys. Either way, they were very good. 

We also saw some other entertainment last night. 

For breakfast we ate in Whitter at the market. 

And saw an old Opra House. 

And the Girl Scouts were out selling their cookies and welcoming us to town. 

Another breakfast option. 

Some bag pipes welcoming us to Cornell College. 

The first female on the trip that asked if she could have her picture taken with us. 

Of course she asked her dad, they were riding a tandem bike and we were almost as excited as she was. 

We had a rain storm blow through, so we waited it out ( 2 hours ) in the Mt Vernon Fire Station. Some better than others. 

The have specific times when you can sled at Cornell College. 

One thing that is interesting are the things that people write on the back of their legs. Go figure 

Welcome to Lisbon. 

God Bless Iowa. 

Showing a little boy how to feed the goat.

 

All kinds are here, even a unicycle. Although I don't think he rode the whole way today. There are a lot of locals that jump on and ride just 1 day. 

What's more American than....

Here is an old bridge that we crossed, built in 1897. 

Funcrest, looks like it's been around for awhile. 

Day 5 | 75 miles believe it or not still more stuff

An interesting picture from the ice cream truck last night. Read the sign just above the window on the truck to see what ice cream cures. 

The day started early again to beat some of the heat. We rode 75 miles today. Below is a picture of the water station that each town has for us to fill our water bottles. 

We rode into a town and saw Evil Kneivel and Elvis together, so I couldn't pass up a picture with them. 

They were selling the bacon. 

We have had a lot of homemade ice cream and homemade ice cream sandwiches. We are becoming experts. 

Dr Jesse Wasson, the founder of La Porte City, and I had a great conversation about the founding of their city. 

And then on to Mt Auburn, population 150. And those 150 people were very glad to see us. 

And then on to Vinton, the City of Lights!

We stopped here and had a steak sandwich made by the cattlemen association. 

The sandwich was very good and we were lured in because of the people out in the streets with the signs trying to get our attention. We took a picture with them, the U. Of Iowa cheerleaders. 

Welcome to Shellsburg, the partyis in the park. 

Check out their old fire truck, they also have a new one. 

They must have BIG Game in Iowa, those are some big arrows. 

At almost every intersection there are police and/or state troopers directing traffic and letting us cross. Look closely at the top of the car. Almost all of them are blasting tunes at each intersection.  Pretty funny. 

And tonight, Joe of Joe's Bunkhouse was cooking us dinner tonight. Very nice touch and not expected. 

Stay tuned.

Day 4 | 60 miles of interesting things

The morning started off cool again. A picture of us in front of the bunkhouse, which was behind the local high school. Note the big windmill in the background. 

Then off to the first city for breakfast. We ate at the City Hall. And had to stand in line for a little while. 

The pancakes were good. 

And if you wanted seconds you stood in line and the "tossed" them to you. Look at the pictures below for the pancakes in the air. 

Notice the pancake in the air top left. Yes, I caught them as did Joe P in the prior pictures. 

Then we were off to our next city and we stopped and talked to one of the ladies greeting us. Please read the back of her shirt. 

Notice the big cream cone in the middle of the street ahead. 

Then I met the Candied Bacon Lady. 

Then I met the cow pie lady. Look closely at what she is holding. She told me about a cow pie toss,

And I didn't believe her until I saw this sign. 

So when in Iowa, do as Iowians do, right?

And the wind up....

It went pretty far and I got a prize.... A participation piece of candy, like everyone else. 

Then I came across an old phone booth, and you know what you use a phone booth for, right?

I like Pig Butts, and I can not lie. 

I wonder why this building's business is failing?

You never know when that moment might happen. 

My friend David REALLY liked his strawberry shortcake, he said it REALLY tasted good. 

Then off to the next town and another beaver to greet us. 

And after a long day of eating and riding, a little nap might be a good call, only if your friends will leave you alone.... But will they?

Stay tuned and thanks for reading along.