60th Reunion Ride: Day 5

Early morning
I ride with
Long shadow at my side.
Like wicked schoolmarm from "Wizard of Oz".
No long skirt,
No Toto.
Same determined posture.
Mine.

Starting day riding toward rainbow filled sky,
Sets excellent tone.

Riding valley of Big Sioux River
To Akron, IA for late brkfst stop.

Crossed Big Sioux River,
At Akron Iowa,
Into South Dakota.

Climbing out of valley up long hills.
I found myself gripping shifter,
Wanting to engage one more smidge of climb power.

Did I tell you that MN mechanic said,
Manufacturer will have model with more climb,
Available in late August.
Humph! Had they known,
Could have had most atypical tester
For new product. 

Lovely back S.D. roads into Vermillion,
Where Bob had scouted
Impressively safe and efficient route for biking through city.
Out other side of Vermillion
To five miles of wide shoulder, bike friendly highway to
Bridge over Missouri River!

For years,
I have wanted to cross Missouri River with my own
Bicycle power.
Now I've done that!

This was a big switch in route.
Had planned to cross The River in Sioux City, Iowa.
Nervous about how it would be,
Without thorough planning,
I didn't sleep much.

It worked so well.
Bob is now named "The Rolling Cue Sheet."

You know that Cue Sheet is essential paper on a bike tour,
listing all turns, distances, destinations.
This trip has its skilled travelling personification of Cue Sheet.

Newly in place, we are on Nebraska Hwy 12.
Farther north in state.
It may be route for two days until,
Dropping down to Hwy 20.

Ten years ago, we travelled Hwy 20.
Maybe it will be familiar.

Trip is about this adventure,
Not replicating.

Tonight's motel in Compton, Nebraska,
Lewis and Clark Lodge surprising find.
Convenient, spacious, very clean.
We are happy.

Hugs to all,
Lin