Aug 9, 2012 - History Day

Today seemed like a very long day. Not sure why. We drove a total of 173 miles today with most of driving on I-80. The wind was a little brisk and across the highway, so maybe it was fighting the wind that tired us out. This morning we packed up and left the CG by 1030 and headed to Winterset, IA, John Wayne’s birthplace. Not sure why they have made this into a big deal since his family left there when he was 3 years old and left IA when he was 7. Anyway, he was born in a nice little house. They have made a little museum with lots of...

Jun 25, 2012 - On the way to North Liberty, Iowa

We drove across most of Iowa today. We saw field after field of corn and more soy beans. It was hot (mid 90’s) but not too humid. Whew! On the way we went south to Winterset in the heart of Madison County and visited 3 of their bridges. We saw three of the six remaining bridges, there had been 19. First we saw the Hogback and had lunch in the trailer alongside a beautiful field of sunflowers next to it. Then we went to the town on Winterset and discovered that John Wayne had been born here. So we stopped by ol’ Marion’s home and took a...

May 16, 2012 - Dinner with Mickey & Mary Hazlett

Today we started trying to figure out our CR schedule so that we can see as many people as we can see in the time allotted in the Cedar Rapids area. I made some phone calls and set up some things. Tonight we went out with Mickey and Mary Hazlett. We called and asked them if they were hungry for tenderloins. Mickey drove us over to Central City where we had our favorite tenderloins which they introduced us to. Then we drove around Pinicon Ridge Park before heading back to their house to visit a bit. I'm hoping we get to see them again...

Sep 26, 2011 - Across Iowa

Date: September 26, 2011 Tonight’s Location: North Liberty, Iowa Mileage: End - 87548 Start - 87182 Total Miles for the day: 366 Weather: sunny am; clouds and rain in the afternoon Temperature: start 48º High 63º Wildlife count: Red-tail Hawk We left Henderson, Nebraska at 8 this morning, driving through Iowa and miles and miles of corn, beans, a little wheat, and some Milo. There were also field after field of wind farms, and yes, the wind was blowing! We were lucky enough to have a tail wind all the way, so our mileage for today was...

Jul 8, 2009 - Heeeeeeeeelp!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I mean, I REALLY NEED HELP. My territory has been invaded. They are trying to play with my mind and make me go crazy. I think they are conspiring to drive me mad so they can replace me. The "they" I am speaking of is Shari and Dave. Yes, Shari is part of it, right along with Stupid. I have proof. Let me start from the beginning. Last week when I wrote, my former hero, Dave, was getting ready to cook for Mary and Bob. He cooked up some barbecued pork ribs in his new toy called a dutch oven. They smelled great but I think something was...

May 31, 2009 - Iowa City

The drive from MO to Iowa was nearly all rural, through more lovely farmlands that went from mountainous to flat in northern MO and southern IA, then turned into beautiful rolling hills as we got further into IA, Iowa City and surrounding area is a nice surprise, at least to us. We expected a flat, industrious looking area. It's beautiful. Rolling, green, small town feeling in spite of the growth they've had in recent years. Very nicely developed. The campground we're in is another small, very pretty and well-kept one...very...

Aug 18, 2008 - COE Park

We headed south on US218 to a COE park near North Liberty, IA. We usually stay in Amana but the roads are rough to that campground and this was a change. Are we ever glad we did. Pulling in on a Sunday afternoon meant that we had the pick of all the empty campgrounds. Some are reservable but most people reserve only on weekends. They had all pulled out as we got there. The road in is very hilly and curvy but the new truck made them just fine. We found a beautiful site under a tree with a great view of the lake.

Jul 24, 2008 - Stage 5- Tama-Toledo, IA to North Liberty, IA....76-miles and 3,123 feet of climb

Today was interesting……we started the day in rolling hills…..then we rode into a monster head wind…..the final 15 miles of the day, both disappeared…..but a broken spoke on my bike made the final 10 miles a long trip…..we adjusted the other spokes so the rim didn’t bounce off the frame so hard….and made it to the final stop. The weather was also interesting….we froze about the entire day. It was overcast, windy and raining…..but it was great compared to hot and humid. The excitement of the adventure has definitely warn off……and while it is...