Not too much to tell tonight, mainly a travel day again but a couple of stops that should interest some of you. Also some more frustrations with the Garmin but Therese tells me these things are sent to try us; they're sure trying me.
Went for a drive through Omaha, big city, to travel past St Cecilia's Cathedral. Very old and not too impressive from the outside but very beautiful inside. GPS got us there and was showing our continuing route quite happily until we stopped. When turned back on, message said, "Cannot calculate route". I reset the route and again, "Cannot calculate route". Great, here we are in the middle of a large city, no idea where to go and the GPS dies. I then tried the old shut down, restart and see what happens. Got us mobile but was the start of continuing problems throughout the day. A reset tonight may help.
From Omaha, Nebraska we crossed the river into Iowa and onto the interstate to Des Moines with little faith in the GPS but it got us to where we were going. Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. A nice break and leg stretch after fighting heavy traffic on the interstate with a speed limit of 70 mph. At that speed with continuous strong cross-winds, even the semi-trailers were passing us.
From Des Moines, we left the interstate at Newton for a more enjoyable on a far less trafficked road. Sunday here, a beautiful day and lots of bikes on the road. I've just about perfected a new wave of greeting and I get plenty of practice as probably more that 90% of riders wave. Iowa is renowned for its corn growing and we must have been in the middle of the corn belt on this road. Corn as far as you could see and almost ready to be harvested.
Through Newton, Grinnell and Ladora to South Amana. This is a small, once predomiately German settled, colony and is one of seven including West Amana, Middle Amana, East Amana excreta. These little towns cater to the tourism trade. There are some really unusual and dramatic buildings and many specialty shops including one we spent some time in and came away with some great fudge and some Roasted Field Corn. Good stuff, I'd share some with you but it won't last and Customs wouldn't let me bring it back home anyway. To my surprise when you consider the location, Middle Amana has a Whirlpool refrigerated products factory.
After a break at Amana for coffee/lunch, 4:00pm mind you, we booked accommodation and got a great deal at a top hotel. This stop had a musical background due to a constant stream of motorcycles passing.
Check out todays photos and see you tomorrow.
454 klms today, total to date 4926 klms.
St Cecilla's Cathedral, Omaha
Sculptures in Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines
Sculpture in Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines
Sculptures in Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines
Sculptures in Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines
Sculpture in Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines. (Two cute little girls)
Downtown Des Moines
Downtown Des Moines
Downtown Des Moines
This is one for the less famous Carina Unicorns basketball team
Corn fields near Grinnell
Corn fields near Grinnell
They sell good fudge here
I wonder if they'll allow her inside for the winter
This house needs doing with the hedge clippers
Getting the pumpkins ready for Halloween
Interesting buildings throughout the Amana colonies
Interesting buildings throughout the Amana colonies
Interesting buildings throughout the Amana colonies
