Day 28 Firth to Sidney Iowa Waubonsie State Park

 

We woke up early this morning to the sound of strong winds at 6AM.  All the cyclist camped outside were told to pack up their gear and tents and get inside the building ASAP as there was a weather alert for the area.  We could see dark clouds to the north and west of us.  Fortunately, the storm passed by, but cyclists get not get an all clear to go out till 8AM.  While waiting I checked the tires on my bike and found my front tire flat again this morning.  George VanderKuur and Rick Gritter both had checked it the two previous days and could not find what was causing the problem.  I had had to pump up my front tire every day for a week as there seemed to be a slow leak in the tire.  I had put a new tube in it already in Fairbury and it still seemed to have a slow leak.  Since my tire was flat, I decided not to ride today and would help Phil Quist mark the roads.

It was a relaxing and enjoyable day. I did not feel pressure or tired.  We had time to visit the Lewis and Clark Visitors Centre in NB just before we crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa.  Again it was interesting to read the stories of the explorers and the hardships they endured along with the amazing feats they accomplished in laying out the lands for people to know what was beyond the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

The campground here is very shaded and comfortable with good showers and restrooms.  However there is neither telephone coverage nor Wi-Fi unless I use someone’s hotspot if they turn it on and let me use it.

Phil and I also started to mark the road for tomorrow to Diagonal Ia.  It looks like we will be riding down an undulating ribbon of road cutting through vast fields of corn and soybeans. The deep green crops all seem to be flourishing with lots of rain and sunshine.  This is such a contrast to the brown barren landscape of parts of Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Each region/state has its own unique beauty, but I am still inclined to free most comfortable with the lush green of Iowa and states east.  I like lots of trees and green fields of hay, corn, and soybeans.

I did not take any pictures today as I was riding in a van and we were moving along.

I do hope to ride again tomorrow if my front tire is not flat.

Tonight the day ends with sunny  clear skies and no wind. It is very clam and peaceful and people are relaxing after a full day of biking up and down lots of hills.  It has been a good day for people.