This evening, it finally became clear that "frequently" Will is on a different time schedule than Larry, Hans and Inga-Lill. In several earlier "reports, I noticed that Larry sometimes mentioned Will catching up, or Will not seeing where they stopped for lunch, but was not curious enough to ask "WHY". Did Will ever miss "reveille formation"?

Sunday, 8/15, and planned 123km to Blair, the last night in NE! They continue along US 30, the Mormon Trail, which in this area is also the Military Trail from Omaha to Ft. Kearney. It was the 1st transcontinental road, later named the "Lincoln Highway, and was finally paved in 1920.

First stop in North Bend, for breakfast at the "Corner Cafe" (built as a Bank), and on this Sunday morning, the other patrons were men in white shirt and tie with ladies in dresses and hats--Sunday "BREAKFAST BUFFET" after church!

Continuing East, as they approach Arlington, NE, Larry sees in the distance what he believes is a "Midwest" Arlington Cemetery---but as they get closer, he realizes it is not military at all! It is 32,000 small white crosses, laid out in "military" precision", with a sign by Lutherans for Life informing all passers-by that 32,000 lives are ended each day by abortion.

Before Blair, the flat fields become rolling hills and they finish 10 miles with a tailwind (finally) en danseurs (sp?)(on the pedals) into Blair, and the Econolodge. Will arrived a bit "later" with a fistful of green leaves he harvested along the roadside, thinking he had located a "major cash crop"---Larry denies being able to identify it, but Will, claiming some agricultural talent assures him that it is the "wonderful weed" of yesteryear.

Monday, 8/16--a "no chain day" for 50 miles at 16 mph, crossing into Iowa, and the decision to "bank some time" by passing the planned stop at Dennison, and going on to Carroll. After 32 miles they stop at the Dow City (pop 400) Bar/Grill, and find that many residents commute to Dennison to the "packing plants" where the wages are $16/hr. The "corporations" have purchased many of the farms, with the owners having right to "homestead until death"--and many homes are available to rent for as little as $125/150 per month---and homes can be purchased in the$25,000/50,000 range---(a startling revelation to the group!

At Westside, IA they "cross" the Missouri River/Mississippi River divide, at elevation 1439'. They are rolling "pace line" and realize that when Inga-Lill is riding "lead", they get continuous "hoot-hoot" from the many 18 wheelers that pass---after some discussion, they decide that the truckers have a "high vantage point" and a "great view" as they pass. Larry, somewhat reluctantly admits that even when riding "shirtless" they do not get a single "beep".

Iowa is beautiful, with green, rolling hills, fields of waving soybeans, twisting roads and towns "tucked into the hills". It reminds them of Eastern France and Switzerland. Larry finds a new "ointment" in the farmland that he had heard about--UDDERLY SMOOTH--and confirms that it is a great product for "other chaffed parts of the anatomy" as well!

Tuesday, 8/17--they rise to "heavy fog"--visibility of 40 yards"--and facing a stretch of US 30 with no hard shoulder, only loose gravel. Riding the "white line" on the edge, Will observes that it is "great that Larry has his IFR Rating (which introduces that both Will and Larry are Pilots. Will learned to fly from his father, and Larry has flown a London to Sydney race "years ago".)

After 10 miles they stop at Jefferson for breakfast at the "Family Table". Hans and Inga-Lill order the customary pancakes, but Larry switches to "oatmeal, with cream and piles of raisins and brown sugar." Seeing the reaction from his tablemates he is sure there will be more that one oatmeal on future days.

Conversation turns to the STRESS of the morning ride, and Hans offers that "with his wife at his side, there is NO STRESS."

Just after Beaver, they take the "side road" to Boone (named for Daniel, who passed through), still on the "Lincoln Highway', then to Ames, home of Iowa State University. They roll down "fraternity Row" and the activity of registration for the new school year---and see no one "over 25". The fields of corn, with the signs identifying the various types of "field trials" of a multitude of genetic seed types reminds them that this is the state Agriculture School, with significant research effort for crops as well as animals.

From Ames, they have a "bike lane" to Nevada, where there is no motel, so they return 1 mile to US30 and the ever-present Super 8.

They have covered 3700 Kilometers, and are 1/2 day ahead of schedule---which they will probably need with the weather forecast for the next week in IA and WI.

Dick and Sue will be here on Friday, 8/20, and Larry will call that evening to "swap stories". Larry, Will, Ingra-Lill and Hans will be here on 8/24 (+ or -) depending on weather.