Cottonwood Park

Yesterday at 14:00 I stopped at a dealership hoping for a sofa. It was such a small place that they didn't have anything for tired riders. No chairs, coffee, or water. Just a toilet and 4 of those terrible wood chairs outside. So, I laid down on the sidewalk and promptly fell asleep. At 15:00 I got up, used their toilet, and went on my way. No one even acknowledged I was there 🤣.

I hit nasty weather all day, lightning and rain, so I was pretty beat by the time I rolled into Des Moines at 20:00. 13 hours on the bike, if you take off the hour I napped 😉. I hit 13 dealerships yesterday 😳, which is probably the most in one day so far. I really don't know any more.

I left Des Moines at 06:01 this morning. The Quality Inn actually had a hot breakfast of eggs and sausage. Not a sandwich to microwave, but real scrambled eggs and patty sausage. Nice start to the morning for a change.

Not long after I got going, I pulled over on the side of the road to watch a magnificent red orb begin to rise over the corn fields. I really don't like waking up before the sun, but getting to see the sunrise makes it tolerable. Sort of 😉. I couldn't help but think about my friend who suddenly passed away a few days ago from COVID 😢.

Iowa looks pretty much like Minnesota and Wisconsin, corn and soy fields with a few cows here and there. I saw a couple of pig farms--more like smelled them--but really it's just more corn.

Did you know there is a National Balloon Museum, as in hot air balloons? It's in Indianola, IA. Near Albia, IA, I stumbled upon the Welcome Home Soldier Monument and did a u-turn to take some pictures. Very peaceful. I also hit Iowa's 50 Rides 1 Nation location, the state's oldest courthouse (1840).

Now, I'm stopped at Sonic for a chicken sandwich, tater tots, and limeade. I hope that made you think of Ron White, but if not, then watch this: https://youtu.be/neUaSTSKFZc.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 144 mileage: 712.2 (total 36067.3)
50 Rides, 1 Nation: 1 (total 32)Read more