Day Sixteen

This was our first full day in Iowa. This helped to change our attitude. The state was not so massive as Nebraska. There seemed a chance to pedal across the state in a matter of days, not weeks. For the first twenty five miles we traveled along highway 20. This was a four lane road with much traffic. The berm was generous enough to feel comfortable, though we preferred the more rural areas. When we reached Correctionville, we left the busy thoroughfare and headed northeast on a smaller country road that followed the Little Sioux river. The sense of the trip changed dramatically as we left the busy commerce. Now there was less sense of urgency as the more mellow countryside past by. We stopped at one point to dwell momentarily along the river.

We followed the road to Quimby. At this small town we found another quaint city park and took a break from pedaling. We tossed the Frisbee and relaxed before heading out on the next leg of our journey. We selected an even smaller, less traveled road to head towards Storm Lake. The landscape change slightly. The terrain was slightly rolling as we slowly past the endless corn fields of America’s heartland. Also present were tall fields of hay, with cows up to their shoulders in the grass. At one point, as we passed a herd of cows, they spontaneously broke into a ‘bovine flanking maneuver’ and traveled as if in solidarity with the two transient souls.

We were pleased to discover wind farms. Dozens of tall wind generators dotted the fields. This concept went a long way to counter the foolish notion that we can depend on fossil fuels to support our opulent lifestyles. The only thing we didn’t like was the direction of the wind. It continued to be from the southeast, a quartering headwind. It made for tough riding. Our speed was snail-like as we inched along. The afternoon grew late as we rode closer to Storm Lake. Finally we reached the town and were happy to find a campground near the water. Although people in this part of the county may as well be from Mars, we were able to find a comfortable spot even though we had to pay double because we had two tents. It mattered not that we only occupied one site, they insisted on charging us by the tent. Our neighbors had nine people, one boat and three cars. They paid the same.

The kids from the next campsite took little time in checking us out. These bored denizens of the low-rent crew next to us, would entertain us for the next two days. Their antics stretched my idea bad parenting. They seemed pretty much out of control, yet they didn’t break anything and managed to provide hours of childlike folly for Austin and I to be part of.