Cycle Ride - 2nd Sunday

Our second Sunday of riding took us to Iowa and Route 99 along the river up toward Muscatine.  This was a route Mr. and Mrs. Wombie and I took last year and it is a fine drive that includes a memorial to 7 Civil War brothers who died in the war, a couple of Indian burial mounds, and a great bar in Wapello.  I thought. 
  

I was leading so naturally I got us lost first thing in Burlington.  After a few mis-directions, wrong turns and just a little budding frustration, we ended up at this observation area so it seemed like a good spot to regroup.    

Think of those poor slobs who live in Kansas who have to live  without a river in their own backyards.  Ah, Northlandia.  

There were two young fish swimming and they came across an older fish who said, "Morning boys, how's the water?"  The younger fish looked at each other and they said, "What's water?"

Sometimes we do the same things in the same way in the same place.  A great river a half an hour drive from our homes, dark sky with millions of stars, stretches of road where you may not meet another car for miles, four seasons, and a Midwestern casualness unequalled anywhere.  Folks, this is water.        

The place I had wanted to stop at for a beer in Wapello, The Sandbar, was closed.  Apparently they don't open till later in the day.  There was a place next door, however, so we stopped there instead.  Note to bartender: customers are your paycheck, not an inconvenience.

After our refreshment we headed on north to Muscatine.  If you are ever this way count the number of bridges heading out of town.  

 I counted no fewer than 10 bridges in a span no more than a couple miles.  Once we got to Muscatine it was almost impossible to navigate due to road construction.  

I asked Neighbor Tim to take a couple of action shots to show the kids.

Our next stop was Eagle's Nest in Keithsburg.  Lousy Bloody Mary but good floor show.  A couple ladies got into it over some something and the cops were called.  Threats, yelling, cursing with kids around - a little excitement for a Sunday afternoon in Mercer County's Most Exciting City.  That's what the old sign hanging on the wall says anyway.  

From there it was pretty much back to Mercer County's second most exciting city, North Henderson, and a debriefing.  A great day on the bike, fun companion, great scenery, man oh man, this is water!