High Trestle Trail, Woodward, Iowa

Woodward, Iowa was our next stop. The goal was to ride the High Trestle Trail after setting up camp at the Whistl'n Donkey -- a bar with dry camping facilities.

As we were getting ready for the evening ride, we had a wonderful conversation with a woman who was admiring our van. She had a Catrike Pocket, and wanted to do touring like us. While talking with her, the thunder started. On her advice we tabled the ride until the next morning. Instead we had dinner at the Whistl'n Donkey and listened to the thunder and lightning.

The next morning we took the ride. Check out the sights...

On our return to Woodward, the local businesses want to be sure the cyclist know them.

Later on we had to drop into Decorah, Iowa, to Topling Goliath Brewery. A good name...

Raccoon Trail out of Jefferson, Iowa

On our way to Jefferson, Iowa, we saw many places that were giving a nod to the RAGBRAI. I liked this one best.

In Jefferson, we stayed at another amazing campsite, this time at the county fair grounds, and the city park. We were the only people there, and were right beside the bike trail! With water, electric, and clean restroom & shower, what more could we want?!?

As we explored the town of Jefferson, we found the Deep Rock Station that was in operation until 1976.

More nods to RAGRAI outside of the All Abilities Cycles Shop.  While the owner didn't have time to talk with us, he appeared to be doing a fine business setting up trike for the differently abled. Hats off to him!

On one of the side streets, we saw this gentleman with his four tractors. Said his collection topped out at 24!  He had them out for a tractor rally/show. Figured he'd wait until tomorrow to get them all put away.

This town does wall murals. This has become quite the thing for some towns.

And it has a beautiful Carnegie Library! Grand building!

In the town park, I tried to pose with the bicycle signboard, but was too short, and Paula tried to play the chimes. This towns boasts a carillon in the center of town, which sounds the hour and has a concert daily at 12:30.

The Raccoon Trail was a lovely trail that we wanted to spend more time on to explore more of it. We did get in a chance to ride 53 miles between Jefferson and Perry. Check out the photos.

Cooper is a town with a population of 30 in 2006. It still boasts this rest stop on the trail and a church.

More for RAGBRAI?

Then it was into Perry. We loved these sculptures. While we were there we visited with the local bike shop. They had a great T-shirt that said in large letters "Support your Local Bike Shop". Good advice.

George Soumas is remembered for receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts in during World War II. And the grand bicycle at depot...

On our return to our campsite, we passed through the Dawson Depot. Once a busy area, it is now only a stop on the bike path, and a small museum to a time gone by.

A great day, although warm.  53 miles at 80+ degrees. Back to the campsite for showers, dinner, and rest...

Two days on the Cowboy Trail

We moved from Chadron to Valentine where the Cowboy Trail is open. This is the western-most point which will eventually be extended to Chadron.  Surface is small packed gravel, crowned nicely, and with minimal ruts.  But it isn't paved by any stretch! The surface was smooth enough that we wanted to go fast, but boy, did it eat up our batteries.

Here's a couple photos of the long bridge just outside of Valentine. Between here and the next parking area off the trail, we saw the most people, typically walkers.

This trail is predominantly straight with few curves. It is surrounded by endless rolling prairie with a variety of agriculture from cattle to corn and soybean fields. Some stretches were just plain desolate. It turned out to be a bit too boring for us to feel like continuing. After 20 odd miles, we decided we'd find the next campsite.

Using the Cowboy Trail website as a resource, we decided to try out the city park in Atkinson as a place to camp for the night. It turned out to be very economical, clean, and sparsely populated - only three other campers besides us. This one had this sign on their bulletin board indicating that the park including a tornado shelter. It got our attention and it looked like a 1950's backyard bomb shelter! No storms this night, so we slept well.

Prior to turning in for the night, we decided on dinner and a brew from Brush Creek Brewing Company. The beer was good, and the thin crust pizza even better. Husband and wife owners (he's the brewmaster) are creating a 'Cheers'-like environment, so all was quite friendly. He gave us two tokens for free beers on a return trip and a couple of brewery stickers. 

A motorcycling trio were eating beside us, and with Sturgis so close, we struck up a conversation. All three were deaf/hard of hearing, and communicated with each other via sign language. But we did fine, as they wanted to see the van upfit, and I wanted to know more about their motorcycling adventures. Great fun!

These shots came from the corners in Atkinson. Quite imaginative....

The next morning we moved onto Norfolk to their city park. It was Sunday morning and we got the last pad site that included electric, but by noon other spots had opened up. Apparently, it's only crowded on weekends and special events. Kenny, the custodian for the camping area, wanted to visit, so we got a grocery store recommendation for steaks, and places to go see around town. This included the other city park with its pretty flowers, the VA housing area with its new statuary, and the local community college. Some web-surfing yielded a local brewing operation, Divot brewery at the golf course.

This van was was in the campground. Awesome restoration job!

 The riding from Norfolk west was much more interesting than from Valentine. Surface as paved for much of it, but there was more trail interest, and more things to see than corn and soybean fields. Rode Norfolk to Meadow Creek and back for a total of 40 miles.