Today started late. The first ferry to Iowa wasn't until 9 so I couldn't start till then. Breakfast at the B&B was at 8. I was all loaded up and ready to go before then. The other guest at the River View B&B was a guy name Joe who was born in the area but his family moved away. We chatted over breakfast.
He is a young mechanical engineer in the DC area and has done some biking and hiking so we had something to talk about. He was in Cassville for his annual board meeting. His family's farm is owned as a corporation by the family and they have to meet once a year. He was telling me about the farms in the area. Few farmer can make a living on a single farm and with modern equipment one farmer can manage 3 or 4 of the old farms. Some corporations are buying up many of the farms. The days of working the family farm are pretty much gone.
The ferry across the river was an interesting ride. We took off and then turned around to go back and get several cars that had gotten stuck on the other side of the tracks when yet another train came through. As promised the first mile or so was dirt road, but it was hard packed and almost better that some of the roads ahead. When I hit the pavement I immediately headed south without looking at the map of the GPS. I ended up not only taking the long way around adding at least 5 miles to the day, but I also took the really hilly way. The road were good though.
I finally came out on state highway 3 - the one I planned to a take all the way across Iowa. The road was pretty crappy. It's one of those old concrete block highways with a lot of broken bits and patches. Every ten yards: bumb-bump. And no shoulder. With the exception of one 6 mile section - as good as the best Michigan road - highway 3 never got much better.
It was a hot, hot day. Whenever I stopped I realized how hot it was. I seemed I was making very slow progress. I got drinks in Luxemburg; money and internet in Edgewood and lunch in Strawberry Point at Rod and Cal's Pub and Grub. The salad, burger, fries with cheese and bacon bits and ice tea were excellent. When I finished lunch it was after 3 and I was only at the 50 mile mark. I loaded up fluids at the local supermarket and got back on 3. Strawberry Point, by the way, was the first point after Cassville that had a motel.
Lunch and those 34 glasses of iced tea must have don't something for me because I started piling on the miles and my average speed was over 15. There were hills but I didn't need the granny gear like I did in the morning coming out of the river valley. After a brief stop in Oelwein I made it into Waverly in less than 4 hours.
Coming back from Chinese Buffet - the name of the place - and the store for fluids, it is still very hot. I want to get an early start tomorrow.
Thank you everybody who have left messages. It really is fun to read them and gives me a little boost. Yes, Mary, I have gotten your messages and I'm glad my postings are having a good effect on Mom.