39 Miles
Yay! Finally out of Iowa!
After the overall creepiness of Harper’s Ferry, I’m writing this in a much more comfortable setting. Being on the road, you forget things, like the fact that it’s going to be Memorial Day Weekend and every campground is going to be at full capacity. When we got to Brownsville, MN this afternoon, the Wildcat Campground manager reminded us that we probably won’t have any luck reserving camping spots. So, yeah, we have that to look forward to this weekend. That’s the least of my worries right now, though. I’m too busy enjoying the breeze by the Mississippi River under a willow tree.
The headwind and hilly terrain didn’t slow us down as much as the tune ups our bikes needed. Britt and I successfully changed a bent chain link on my chain, and she re-adjusted her brakes. As much as I make fun of Britt for being over-prepared and planning for every worse case scenario, I really do appreciate her paranoid anxiety – if she hadn’t packed extra chain links, I would have been screwed! Riding downhill definitely made up for all the time lost. 2 miles of trekking uphill was rewarded with pedal-less riding for twice the distance. On one of the descents, a deer crossed my path! And I always thought Iowa was flat… As much as I disliked Iowa (sorry, Tori) for all the crabby drivers honking at us and the eerie small town folk with even smaller point of views, the town of Lansing totally made up for it. But seriously, if it wasn’t for Lansing, I’d claim Indiana as a better state.
On the ride today, I reevaluated previous judgments. I may not understand or agree with those who “camp” in RVs on the weekend, unless they live and travel in them. However, they are enjoying the outdoors in their own, privileged way. Britt and I are privileged in that sense, too. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what we’re doing, and I should appreciate it rather than take it for granted.
Okay, enough preachy perspective. I’m going to eat on the bank of the Mississippi and lookout for any bald eagles. Did you know that bald eagles not only hunt for fish, but scavenge already dead carcasses? They also build their nests with stolen materials from other birds, or just merely take over another nest. Interesting choice for our national bird… It’s symbollic for how our nation acts as a whole, but as for Americans individually, I like Ben Franklin’s suggestion for the turkey. That’s what most of us are anyway, jive turkeys.
PS – Hard water is disgusting. Look at me, complaining about the water, when in parts of India, people are dying from a lack of it. Oh, to be American…
I just want to give you ladies props for doing this! I’m reading your updates with great enthusiasm, and a little jealousy
. Do what you can to make it to Portland, because your minds will be refreshed with a huge dose of bike-friendliness and of course, the amazing beauty of the Northwest.
Be safe, stay strong, have fun!
Jen
I’ve seen a bald eagle a few times back in PA. Once was by this creek… I thought that it was a crane because you always see cranes around there…. I was like why is that crane flying so high? Then I realized the bird had such a huge wing span because it was a bald eagle not a crane. Amazing… after that I kept going back to the same spot to try to see the bald eagle again (I think it’s nest was up in the trees there) but I never saw it there again.
PS… you are so lucky to be making this adventure! I already told you before you left how awesome it is that you two are doing this! I’m jealous and I think I’m going to start riding now so I can do this some day!
yes, you should def start riding! it’s a great way to get around the city!
…but I like Erica’s preachy perspective!
What up Byke Tramps! Glad to see you are hanging in there- I hope you weren’t thrown off too much by this past weekend! Definitely looking forward to hearing more about the great state of Iowa, and its apparent redeeming qualities (?)
Still have you two in my thoughts & hoping that everything continues as planned! Boo, I’mma email you some songs