This morning we woke up to more sunshine and blues skies. We had breakfast biscuits with bacon and cheese this morning. Jan we used your little toaster oven for buttermilk biscuits this morning and they were excellent! It work Fabulously.
We started of right out of the campground heading down hwy 22 to Fort Madison. It started with some hills this morning and then it flattened out a bit. We did have some head winds today but we just kept plugging along. I was drafting the whole way. I am getting really good at it now too. It's a gift you could say. HAHA! We pretty much had the roads to ourselves today being it was Sunday. There was basically no traffic. It was a treat!
We went through several old beautiful river cities today with old brick buildings and quaint shops. Burlington Iowa was a lunch stop along the river and it was lined with fountains and parks and views of two bridges. One was an old draw bridge and I wish I had taken a photo of that too. The town of Burlington was very industrial but had a real old world charm about the downtown area and along the riverfront.
Coming into Fort Madison we came across an ole Penitentiary that is still in use and has incredible architecture. It looked like an old castle with turrets for the watchtowers. We crossed over into Illinois on a very old toll bridge. It was as great view from above looking both North and South.
We were invited to stay at a cabin on a hill overlooking the Mississippi in Ill. by some of Mom Fox's friends. We gladly accepted. Jim Delaney greeted us in the historical town of Nouvo. We were greeted by our host Jim Delaney who was standing on a corner holding out a book of Lake Wobegan by Garrison Keillor. I knew right away it was our host Jim Delaney. It was a short drive out of town and up a hill to the cabin on the hilltop with a spectacular view of the Mississippi and the tree lined shores of the Iowa side.
When we got to the cabin Jim's 90 year old mother and his 92 year old aunt were sitting in the yard waiting to greet us. Pretty sharp ladies!!! They showed us the cabin and then left us to our evening tasks.
Dinner was a quick meal of pasta and garlic bread.
There are large barges parked across the way next to a railway along the river waiting to be loaded. I tried to take a picture but the lighting was to sharp. I will try again in the morning.
The evening is still and we are very comfortable. This cabin has a charm that I cannot describe. It is so comfortable you feel like it has been in your own family for years. Tomorrow the guys will start riding right from the cabin and head south on the Ill. side.
I don't think we have finished the blog this early since we've started. It will be nice to get into bed at an early hour. So I don't have to end the blog with "My eyes are getting heavy" again. Although I still need to take a shower. Can't wait!!
Just want to say thanks to Del & Monica for my riding gloves. They are a god send. My hands still have some skin left after riding without them for the first couple of days.
Calling it a day!!! Oh yeah mom Fox do you have anymore friends along the way this has been great!
Dave, Terry & Julie
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Day 9 Pictures
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| Michele this one is for you |
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| Turkey Vultures waiting for bicyclists to die |
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| Another great piece of architecture |
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| Into another state |
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| Tonight's resting place |
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| Are we having fun yet ??????? |
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| Our cabin host for tonight |
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Vroom Vroom!
Today we woke up at the Timmerman's in Dubuque to sunny skies once again. Rose & Al had a lovely breakfast bar set up with hot coffee.
We started up the van with one crank! A joyous sound!!
We have decided to name the van Mini Pearl. As she is a smaller version of the big Pearl we used for the coast to coast trip. Living out of the van has proved to be bit more challenging with all of the coolers, camping and biking gear. But we are managing.
We would like to give a shout out to Lance from Games People Play for the Spam jerseys! We have already had a gentlemen ask us where we got them. I would also like to thank Corey at Games People Play for the Jerseys for the Mississippi Coasters. We love the metallic ink!!! They look sharp! Jacob Kuddes a big thanks to you for the logo design!!!
Dave and I have found our rhythm as he will ride in the morning then I will ride and then he will finish out the day. That gives his knees a little rest. This gives me time to make sandwiches for lunch and restock the ice and fuel for the day. Then while he and Terry are finishing the day I am looking for campsites so we are not homeless for the night. However that has not been a problem as Terry's mom knows people from the Headwaters to New Orleans. We are staying at another friend's place tomorrow night in Fort Madison.
The days ride was another day in Paradise. We rode through the river valley climbing and descending through canopied cover roads. Long sweeping curves rising and falling like soaring birds. The views of the country side were like large quilts of green terraced into the landscape. It was a day of beauty for sure!
I have to say I am getting more confident in my descending as the first day I was sure I should have worn diapers. Descending down into the valley at 33 mph. was a bit intimidating. The grades today were less so not as bad or I am just getting more confident. Terry and Dave on the other hand just let it fly! I am the big chicken!!!
We ended the day in Davenport IA.and are staying at a Campsite right on the Mississippi. It is a beautiful night and the campground is full of families and weekend campers. We had brats & sauerkraut for dinner and some of Jan Fox's homemade cookies. I can't believe we have some left.
This is a first for sure. We have finished the blog before 10:00. However I still have not showered or done the evenings dishes. So on that note I will sign off!
Thanks to all who have sent a note or well wish!
Dave, Terry & Julie
We started up the van with one crank! A joyous sound!!
We have decided to name the van Mini Pearl. As she is a smaller version of the big Pearl we used for the coast to coast trip. Living out of the van has proved to be bit more challenging with all of the coolers, camping and biking gear. But we are managing.
We would like to give a shout out to Lance from Games People Play for the Spam jerseys! We have already had a gentlemen ask us where we got them. I would also like to thank Corey at Games People Play for the Jerseys for the Mississippi Coasters. We love the metallic ink!!! They look sharp! Jacob Kuddes a big thanks to you for the logo design!!!
Dave and I have found our rhythm as he will ride in the morning then I will ride and then he will finish out the day. That gives his knees a little rest. This gives me time to make sandwiches for lunch and restock the ice and fuel for the day. Then while he and Terry are finishing the day I am looking for campsites so we are not homeless for the night. However that has not been a problem as Terry's mom knows people from the Headwaters to New Orleans. We are staying at another friend's place tomorrow night in Fort Madison.
The days ride was another day in Paradise. We rode through the river valley climbing and descending through canopied cover roads. Long sweeping curves rising and falling like soaring birds. The views of the country side were like large quilts of green terraced into the landscape. It was a day of beauty for sure!
I have to say I am getting more confident in my descending as the first day I was sure I should have worn diapers. Descending down into the valley at 33 mph. was a bit intimidating. The grades today were less so not as bad or I am just getting more confident. Terry and Dave on the other hand just let it fly! I am the big chicken!!!
We ended the day in Davenport IA.and are staying at a Campsite right on the Mississippi. It is a beautiful night and the campground is full of families and weekend campers. We had brats & sauerkraut for dinner and some of Jan Fox's homemade cookies. I can't believe we have some left.
This is a first for sure. We have finished the blog before 10:00. However I still have not showered or done the evenings dishes. So on that note I will sign off!
Thanks to all who have sent a note or well wish!
Dave, Terry & Julie
Day 8 Pictures
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| Culture in the countryside |
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| The Barage |
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| Another day in paradise |
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| Beautiful chick on the Mississippi |
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| No we are not lost still hugging the Mississippi |
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| Art FISHtival (Bellvue Iowa) |
Friday, August 16, 2013
Charged Up & Ready to Climb
Ok another morning with a dead battery! Crazy! We got a fellow camper to give us jump and so we were back in business.
We started the day some pancakes which was a nice change from the cereal routine! We then packed up and headed right for the auto parts store where we purchased a new battery. We will see what the morning brings now.
Another day in paradise as far as the weather goes. Cool morning air, sunshine and not much wind! Dave and Terry started the day and then I jumped in and then Dave& Terry brought it into Dubuque following a nice bike trail and landing in the middle of town only to find a festival in the streets. Music, food vendors and good people watching.
The days course was easy to support since we stayed on the Great River Road the whole day. However it did prove to be quite challenging. Hill after Hill after Hill. Long Steep Hills. The grades from 6% to 10%. and 1 1/2 to 2 miles long. There was a total of 15 or more climbs. The views from the top were worth it as you could see for 20 miles down the valley and along the river.
We stopped at the Oldest bar and restaurant in Balltown Iowa it opened in 1852. It has burned down twice within 10 months of each other. The new restaurant was really neat and the food was fabulous.
Tonight we are staying at another friend of Terry's mom's. Rose and Al Timmerman. Their son David andhis wife Kim helped host the evening. They were lovely hosts! A dinner of lasagna and angel food cake with berries for desert. YUM!!! She had a linen table cloth and real silverware. It was truly delightful.
We were then so delightfully entertained by Al with his player piano. We even had a sing along.
Thankfully she invited us to use her laundry facility as we were in need of some clean clothes.
The day is now ending with the blog!
Hoping the morning brings us a van that starts. Say your prayers tonight!
Mississippi Coasters!
Oh yeah did I mention we did a lot of climbing today? Tomorrow will be more of the same.
We started the day some pancakes which was a nice change from the cereal routine! We then packed up and headed right for the auto parts store where we purchased a new battery. We will see what the morning brings now.
Another day in paradise as far as the weather goes. Cool morning air, sunshine and not much wind! Dave and Terry started the day and then I jumped in and then Dave& Terry brought it into Dubuque following a nice bike trail and landing in the middle of town only to find a festival in the streets. Music, food vendors and good people watching.
The days course was easy to support since we stayed on the Great River Road the whole day. However it did prove to be quite challenging. Hill after Hill after Hill. Long Steep Hills. The grades from 6% to 10%. and 1 1/2 to 2 miles long. There was a total of 15 or more climbs. The views from the top were worth it as you could see for 20 miles down the valley and along the river.
We stopped at the Oldest bar and restaurant in Balltown Iowa it opened in 1852. It has burned down twice within 10 months of each other. The new restaurant was really neat and the food was fabulous.
Tonight we are staying at another friend of Terry's mom's. Rose and Al Timmerman. Their son David andhis wife Kim helped host the evening. They were lovely hosts! A dinner of lasagna and angel food cake with berries for desert. YUM!!! She had a linen table cloth and real silverware. It was truly delightful.
We were then so delightfully entertained by Al with his player piano. We even had a sing along.
Thankfully she invited us to use her laundry facility as we were in need of some clean clothes.
The day is now ending with the blog!
Hoping the morning brings us a van that starts. Say your prayers tonight!
Mississippi Coasters!
Oh yeah did I mention we did a lot of climbing today? Tomorrow will be more of the same.
Day 7 Pictures
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| International House of Pancakes |
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| Pray for NO more GLITCHES |
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| Someone else following the Mississippi |
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| Julie flying high but missed the turn |
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| This guy is not to smart either & he is an attorney |
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| Which way do we go ??????? |
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| Great supper at the Timmerman's |
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| Al serenading us after supper |
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| Glad we stopped here |
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Be Our Guest!!!
Great Morning Start after breakfast at the Moe residence! We met up with some guest riders from Austin. Jerry McCarthy, Bob Maus & Dave Forman and his son Daniel. Daniel was nice enough to sign on as support for his dad and friends.
They left the Lark Toy Store parking lot just before 8:00 am. Beautiful sunny day, crisp air and not much wind. Today was men's day. The men rode all day to total around 97 miles. Jerry and Bob might have gotten on their bikes on the way home to get in an even100 miles but we will never know. There was only one flat tire for the day. Pretty good considering once again the road construction. Lots of debris on the roads. Even an illegal stint on I 90 for a short distance.
They pretty much stuck to the original course today and hugged the Mississippi pretty closely. Good camaraderie and scenic views were on the menu. They would come to the resting points with smiles and good humor.
We did add 10 miles to our route today in hopes to find a spot to camp for the evening due to the lack of population at New Albin IA. We used our technology to look for a campsite in Lansing further down the Mississippi and found a great spot called the Red Barn Resort. Great campsite with showers and laundry close by.
They all gathered at days end on the pub deck with good food and beverages. Great way to end the day!
We have left the great state of Minnesota where all the men are smart, women are good looking and all the children are above average.
Today we end this blog at a reasonable hour! 9:03 pm Eye Lids still open!
They left the Lark Toy Store parking lot just before 8:00 am. Beautiful sunny day, crisp air and not much wind. Today was men's day. The men rode all day to total around 97 miles. Jerry and Bob might have gotten on their bikes on the way home to get in an even100 miles but we will never know. There was only one flat tire for the day. Pretty good considering once again the road construction. Lots of debris on the roads. Even an illegal stint on I 90 for a short distance.
They pretty much stuck to the original course today and hugged the Mississippi pretty closely. Good camaraderie and scenic views were on the menu. They would come to the resting points with smiles and good humor.
We did add 10 miles to our route today in hopes to find a spot to camp for the evening due to the lack of population at New Albin IA. We used our technology to look for a campsite in Lansing further down the Mississippi and found a great spot called the Red Barn Resort. Great campsite with showers and laundry close by.
They all gathered at days end on the pub deck with good food and beverages. Great way to end the day!
We have left the great state of Minnesota where all the men are smart, women are good looking and all the children are above average.
Today we end this blog at a reasonable hour! 9:03 pm Eye Lids still open!
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