We awoke at 6am, extra early to get an early jump on the heat.

We stopped for a quick breakfast in town in Cassville, at the _____ (local cafe). The breakfast was a bit more quiet than usual, probably because we got up a bit earlier than normal. We asked a few locals for advise on our route and soon found out that all roads south were closed and impassable and probably dangerous (especially for bikes). Actually, the southern road out of town was being paved that day, on the steep part. They said it would be a horrid experience biking through and were concerned about us biking up the hot hill, on hot fresh blacktop, next to the hot equipment. A suggestion was made to cross the river via the ferry; this option was quickly the winner by default. The ferry dropped us off a decent distance upriver, so it shouldn't be considered cheating.

Katie paid her breakfast bill with a half roll of quarters, which Chuck gave her as paying off a dare from the evening before. Nobody wants to carry quarters.

We left 50 extra cents for a cup of coffee for a guy who helped us out and left before being thanked....he will get a free cup when he arrives the next morning.

A front end loader parks on the ferry behind Laura. She looked a bit nervous as it krept forwards (and the boat shifts).

Chuck starts leaving the ferry.

After the really neat experience ferrying our bikes, we had to begin our slow and grueling climb out of the Mississippi river valley. Of course it was only paved in sections. The temperatures were already approaching 90F, and ridiculous humidity levels.

The roads in Iowa were terrible. The paved roads were often worse than the gravel ones. Interestingly, the drivers were far more curtious however.

Roger spotted several bins of old railroad iron, and considered mailing it home to my mom (thanks for the hidden railroad spikes in our bags mom).

After climbing 600 feet, we reached a town called Bueno Vista. The views were breathtaking, though we were out of breath when we arrived.

Why don't ice cream trucks ever stop when they pass a group of cyclists.

Why do they have pavement ends signs, but no pavement starts signs. -Laura

Taters near Bueno Vista

The first 15 miles of insane climbs eventually took Laura to her limit, and she had to push up the last couple hills. That doesn't happen much to her anymore.

Katie is our hill cimber. I got to the top of a huge climb and started to change my shoes. I didn't expect another rider for 15 minutes, so I was going to walk back down the last hill (6-8% grade, 2 miles) and make sure everyone was okay. I turned around and was startled to see one of our riders......Taters was right behind me. Wow. Nice climb taters.

Iowa seems to not have shade, even near there trees. I don't quite get it. Taters used the shadow of her bike.

Laura, Roger, and eventually Chuck were found. When questions about his heat stroke level, Chuck informed me that he was 17/23rds of the way to heat stroke. Seeing as his answer was obsure, I know he is fine. If he ever gives me a normal, or non-prime answer, I know he is in trouble.

We stopped at Neuman's bar and grill for lunch, and had pizza.....very cheesy. The girls had some super smoothies and we each chugged several liters of water. The service and food were excellent. The people in Iowa are great!

I need to mention again, the road in Iowa are terrible! Maybe the bad roads are what teach the people to be so patient and friendly....... These bike swallowing holes are everywhere. It doesn't matter what road you are on, they are all terrible. I think we must have met the only road repair crew in Iowa, and they are quite a bit behind.

In Farley we started looking for lodging for the day and struggled. We didn't want to go 5 miles NW backtracking to Dyersville for a hotel (although we could have then stopped to see the Field Of Dreams), so we went 12 miles south to Cascade to camp. Our maps say that camping is allowed in the community park if you ask the police, but the police line isn't ringing.

Since the police number isn't working, we call the city pool and were told to come on down. Any more dusty roads and even the shower won't clean us.

After a really rough 12 mile ride on a really crumbling asphalt road, we arrived in Cascade. As we enter town people all over seem to be waving and welcoming us as if they had been waiting for us. Well over a dozen people quickly spouted "welcome to Cascade" as we went past. A truck even pulled up alongside and say we should follow him to the campground. We joked that we were going to move here..........after several hours with these people we are starting to think we should!

We setup tent (by suggestion of the sheriff) under a pavilioin by the city pool. They left the bathrooms open for us and a city board member even came by to check on us and let us know that showers would be free for bikers. We showered at the pool, and roger and i sneakily jumped in for a quick cooling.

We snuck nextdoor for a superb dinner at The Supper Club here in Cascade. The food was great, the location was perfect, and the server was the best. Marsha might just be the nicest person in this town full of wonderful people. She made me promise her not to put her picture here, so you will just have to visit The Supper Club and ask for Marsha.

Laura and Roger devoured the appitizer tray..........very little gets passed down the table except celery. I asked them to put cheese on it and was verbally harassed.

Way under dressed group....

42 miles (214 total)
Google Earth File