Time ticks along and we come dangerously close to the end of my little vacation in Iowa. There’s been some good, some bad, but overall it’s been a pleasant experience, though not one I’m likely to rush back to. It’s just a bit too hot and too busy. But the pie has been as advertised and i do love seeing the countryside as always. I’ll remember the stops for a daiquiri at the libertarian candidate for governor, and the different kinds of rhubarb pie, and all the kind folks selling or giving away water. The slip and slide, the friendly grocery stores, the beautiful sunsets and sunrises, and the endless straight and gently rolling road filled to the brim with cyclists of every shape and color. Oh, and the corn. Lots of corn. Today was 65 miles that flew by. Teri wanted to start early and ride fast so we could beat the lines to Beekman’s homemade ice cream; we kept seeing them out with their home-spun (forgive the pun) gas powered machines for churning the ice cream. You always knew they were there because of the occasional sound of gasoline exploding in the piston chamber. Anyway, the plan worked flawlessly, and we got ice cream, chocolate. I can report that it tastes a lot like a vastly superior Wendy’s Frosty.
There are many other stories; about the man who borrowed a book from the public library just for the night to read in his tent and offered to leave a cash deposit. About the fried chicken line that closed at 8 at the grocery store. About the music at the lake that kept us awake until 11. It’s been an interesting trip.
Tomorrow will be a bit of a mess, a real travel day. I’m taking a pork belly shuttle from Lansing to La Crosse and it leaves at 1pm so I have to really hustle to get in and get my stuff from the sag wagon and say goodbye. Until then, it’s time for one more church dinner.
