TNT Journal

So we did cross back over to WI for a while, (where I got a great pic, below of an ancient old car, rusting away, but still “For Sale”) before crossing back into Iowa, so enjoying the nice, alternate ride along the eastern side of the Mississippi. Arriving back in IA, (and seeing a great old paddle steamer... below) we stopped at the tourist info place there to consult a state map, as we felt there could be a better way down through Iowa than the planned route. As it turns out, we were slightly correct, so the remainder of the day was spent going up and over Pikes peak, and dropping down to the town of Guttenburg, again, on the river. It was more of a direct South-South East route than the planned route, which had us cutting west for over 15 miles to begin with, which we didn’t feel was a great idea.

Other then the climb to Pikes Peak, which wasn’t too bad, we had a great ride along the top of the bluffs above the river before dropping into town... and drop it did. I reached probably my maximum speed yet, and had to slow down for fear of a spectacular wipe-out... I did get up to 43 mph this time though! Holy Moly!

After a cheap-motel night in Guttenburg (the only campsite was right on the rail tracks... bugger that!) we hit the road, off still on our alternate route until we reached Dyersville, where we re-joined the official route and had a great ride along a dedicated bike path for about 10 miles. Very nice, very quiet and as it used to be a rail-track, very flat. Passing though the corncorncorncorncorncorncorn we realised we were in the area that “Field of Dreams” was filmed. We looked out for a baseball field, but unfortunately, I think we were a bit too far away to see it. Oh well...


By the end of a long hot day of corncorncorncorncorncorncorn, we eventually arrived in Cascade, and were very pleased to have free camping at the town park, right next door to the town pool, which at $2 a pop was damn fine with me! We scarfed down a big feed of SubWay, set up our tents, and then I had a great splash in the pool and managed to do a few lengths too. Nice to use your arms a bit for a change, and take a break from that pedaling motion! I didn’t get to swim as much as I’d have liked though due to the hoards of screaming, fighting, bombing kids there, so once I had fought out a few lengths, I headed for the showers, then back to camp for snacks and to finish my book.


As we planned to be in Muscatine (a bigger city) for Friday night, to do internet, watch Monk, and do laundry, the next day was a bit shorter, and we stopped at a great quiet campsite, just outside of Bennet. The sun was doing cool things through the clouds, so I had to get a pic of that:

That night we met a cool dude called Larry, who I hope to collaborate with for the next Roadwarriors Movie; he is a musician, so it’d be great to get some original music for the soundtrack. Watch this space!


Up early, we had a great dry morning, so a fast pack up was done, and we pushed into Muscatine, a short ride of 30 miles. Laundry, Wendys, Wal-Mart and the movies... all the things we needed, and we got it all done. The only bummer was that my web-site server appeared to be down, so I was unable to get online, check RWK email, or do an update... but I will be trying the next chance I get!


OK, well, time to get some food, and maybe after, update again, to present day. (I’m a bit behind you see..!)


Cheers y’all.


RWK


OUT.