Day 68- Spook Cave

OK- Let’s try this again. I want to try to put in a big effort TODAY especially to make up for yesterday.

All dry again and ready to rock. It is foggy out today, but it doesn’t look like there is rain in the forecast, at least for the morning. Thunderstorms seem to arise at random in the afternoons around here.

I am again doing the “north, then east” repetition from the last many days. I am headed for Oelwein for lunch. After that, there are some opportunities for some efficient riding on some north easterly roadways. Finally.

Iowa May be flat, but there are surprises along the way.

I am in Amish country! I had no idea they were in Iowa, but then again, I really have no idea where Amish country begins and ends.

The Amish and I have a lot in common. My life on the trip is simple as are the lives of the Amish, but we are on opposite ends of the opinion spectrum when it comes to road shoulders. I want a wide PAVED shoulder. The Amish want a wide UNPAVED shoulder so their horses pulling their carriages don’t have to trot on the hard surface. Viva la différence!

After lunch in Oelwein, I thought that I might have a chance to make it to the mighty Mississippi River today. The afternoon weather was now sunny after the fog lifted, but it was starting to look like the thunderstorms might start up again. I did get some rain before getting into Elkader, but it was short and not a big deal. I would easily dry out from it.

After getting an early dinner at the Subway in Elkader I could just barely make it to the Pike’s Peak State Park just south of McGregor before dark. Right on the river! Mother Nature had other plans!

I thought that I might get around this thunderstorm, but no such luck. I rode right into the middle of it and it was a humdinger. At the first drops if rain, I pulled over by a hedge of trees. I pulled my ground tarp over the bike and myself by the side of the road and rode out the storm as best I could. It lasted about 40 minutes. I managed to stay warm, but did get a little wet.

So now, it was going to be real close if I could get to McGregor before dark. When I was about 7 miles out, I saw a sign for camping at Spook Cave. To get to a camp before dark, I changed plans on the fly and chose Spook Cave. I made it before dark and all was good.

I made about 70 miles today. I think that made up for yesterday’s inadvertent short day. I was now set up nicely for a big day tomorrow. I can’t wait.