Day 6, Marengo to Timmon's County Park, Marshalltown, IA

Wednesday June 3, 2020, 70 miles (112 km) - Total so far: 339 miles (546 km)

Last night I was really wondering if I was up to doing this trip. Today set everything right.

As predicted thunderstorms rolled in early a.m. I slept soundly. With all the wind and dust stirred up, my sinuses felt blocked. I got going at 7:30 with a semi-plan, one easily adjusted. I headed north and west, the winds were north and east, so perfect. Compare/contrast: yesterday after an hour of riding I'd maybe only done 5, today I did 16 miles in one hour.

At a certain pt my route ended at route 30, a super busy highway. I checked directions and saw I exited after only a half mile. Yes, but it ended up being gravel. I chose to stay on the busy road. Trucks literally passed next to me. I hung on for 7 miles, when it became a divided highway!!

The exit took me to Lincoln Highway Byways, a clever idea to bring in tourists. The town of Tama, despite its pioneer roots, has many Hispanic people. Of the restaurants I saw 3 were Mexican and one served Asian food. It was a dusty dry town. I ordered a burrito that was so big it served me then and later.

I finally feel like I'm on tour. The afternoon was HOT. But because I was able to ride I created a breeze that cooled me down especially going downhill. I made it to Marshalltown by 4:15 and saw there was camping by a river, by the JB Swift meatpacking plant. I waited to register, filled out my card, and put $$ in the envelope. But the campground host had bad news. The toilets and shower house were not open because of Covid.

I sort of need those things. He told me to go 8 more miles to Timmons. I mentally did not want to but talked myself into getting back on the bike. Thankfully Timmons is on the way for tomorrow, so already ahead of schedule.

Camping at Timmons is $15, no showers, a pump with delicious cold water, and a porto. BUT free electricity. Can charge it all. I took a bird bath. Had the rest of the burrito, and am feeling content and satisfied.

these pics are grainy and blurry because of the dust in the air

**

Thoughts so far

Roads: not all roads are the same. It is hard to plot a course. Most roads in Iowa go north/south, east/west. And, not all of them are paved. So in order to avoid gravel roads, you have to sometimes go up then down and etcha-sketch your way. The gravel I've been on so far is not tarmac, but a bunch of loose rock. When riding I look for hard-packed dirt tracks.

Covid: I have forgotten all about it, between the winds and being exhausted. Yesterday I never once reached for my mask. There are no signs on doors requiring one. I met a Warmshowers host on a day ride when leaving Bettendorf and I queried him, would you be inclined or not to take someone. He said he probably would. No one is thinking about it out here.

Wind: I've been so demoralized these past few days. I'm really wondering if I can make it. So while in my room at the motor court I called a friend. The whole time I'm talking it sounds like someone is trying to break into the room. It's the wind rattling the door. My friend in the religious community I belong to has been busy stopping looting on our block in Chicago, they go out in lawn chairs and sit on the sidewalks with music blaring and try to keep the peace. Anyway, she acknowledged the winds. What?! She heard about them on the news. So I'm not making it up. So glad--now back to the riots.

Social media: so grateful to unplug. Is this what one needs to go through, a crazy cross-country bike trip in order to get away from the staggering amount of news, hype, outage, commentary, and sometimes actual nonsense??? The pressure to post and pick a side.