July 27, 2010

Today was a good day on the bike. Our hosts in Algona had a complete breakfast waiting for us (complete with coffee). We so appreciated that Iowa hospitality. Because we didn't have to think about where we were going to eat breakfast or wait in that hour line, we made great time today. We were at the halfway point by 10:30 AM. Because we made it to Britt, IA early enough, there was still plenty of homemade pie left. Today was the HOT day where it got up to 95 - thank God it was only 59 miles.

Because we were zipping along quite well, I took time to notice the people. At one point, I was next to the elliptical guy - he has a bicycle that is propelled by doing constant elliptical movements. This guy has been doing ragbrai since he was 8 yr old and it sounds like for the past 10 years has been finding alternative modes of locomotion. He was featured in the Des Moines Register today. At the time I was biking next to elliptical man (sounds like something out of the Incredibles), the Dorkmobile pulls up along side me. The Dorkmobile is a recumbent bike with the guy wearing the jester hat (now who does that remind you of?). He has an Iowa Hawkeye flag, an Iowa state flag and a beautiful whirly kite with a big sign calling himself the Dorkmobile. There are also many "teams" who participate in Ragbrai. They have old school buses that they have repainted. They hire people to drive their buses and transport their equipment from town to town. Many of the team names are not to be repeat here.

For today's photo, we are standing in front of the Iowa Conservation bus. My sister, Jackie, works for them. The painting on the bus was done by my sister Cecelia. We had to stop and get our picture there and introduce ourselves to the working crew. When riding along the Iowa countryside, we are amazed by the many windmills generating electricity.

We rode into Clear Lake at 2PM. Kristen and Monika had found my cousin's cabin which they had cooled down and had cold drinks waiting for us. They were so fascinated by my Grotto pictures, that they had to stop in West Bend prior to coming over. Clear Lake had a wonderful beach party for us and because we got in so early, we were able to enjoy it.

We are supposed to get a big thunderstorm tonight which is good news for cooler weather tomorrow.

So for now, I have 210 miles down and only 232 left to go. Tomorrow it is on to Charles City - only 51 miles. Since we are staying in a cabin, Kristen and Monika will make us breakfast before we leave.

Dr. Mel