Sheldon to Sioux City,IA

Top of the morning to everyone.

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles" Tim Cahill

If yesterday was an example of what Tim was referring to, then I'm in tune with his thinking.
While pedaling on a bike trail out of Spirit Lake I came up alongside a really "fit" gentleman.
His strong physique and excellent cycling skills were noteworthy. We struck up a conversation, and can you believe he was from my hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Tom had married an Iowa girl and they had spent the last forty years of vacations by Lake Okibogi. The next thing you know he invited me to meet his bride, Marilyn, and his brother in law, Jim and wife Judy. How amazing to learn that Tom lives in Norwood, OH (suburb of Cincy) and that he is a real Bengals fan. What's up with that Green Bay Packer's hat Tom? (Thanks also for your text message)
How about this, Tom was friends with Chuck Mignery, who has a son named Ed.
Ed and I were in the same graduating class. Way to go Coach Ed. (Hamilton High School Football)
Tom's brother in law, Jim, was an active bicyclist in Cincinnati, and rode over twenty years of
a special bicycle tour to Madison, IN. Jim, you should be on this adventure with me.
PS: Jim also rode RAGBRAI in 1983. (Ride across Iowa) It sure was nice enjoying a cool beverage and meeting you at Spirit Lake. Thanks!

Little did I know just how windy the day would become. I stopped for my first DQ lunch in Milford, IA and then proceeded to struggle with a punishing headwind and temps in the upper 80's. Although I was running about three hours behind schedule, I finally arrived about
7:15 pm at Clarice's home in Sheldon, IA.

Let me tell you about this fantastic lady named Clarice. She has a dynamic outgoing personality like you have never seen. A life long resident of Sheldon, Clarice is living a wonderful life that includes many highlights. She celebrated fifty years of marriage before her husband passed, and she was blessed with six children, I believe, 17 grandchildren, and maybe seven or so, great-grandchildren. Immediately, she made me feel so welcome and even allowed me to do laundry.
What a wonderful caring and loving person! Brady, Megan, & Colin, you are really blessed to have such a "cool" grandmother. She took me to a nice restaurant and we had such a neat conversation. I met her friend and "customer" of 25 years, Sandy. Have a great trip to Chicago, Sandy.
You may ask about the word "customer" and how that relates to Clarice and Sandy. Well, Clarice has achieved over 36 years of "Presidents Club" membership with Avon. You should see her awards. There you have it, a beautiful woman with an outgoing personality and an interest in sales. She is awesome.
Clarice, I'm not going to tell all, but suffice to say, what an evening we enjoyed together.
I'm really glad you go to church with that police officer who pulled up behind us with flashing lights on. Ha-ha. Oh my...
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Right now I'm typing this post from the beautiful Alton, IA library.
Temps are warming and that old south west wind is in my face. Guess what, I love it!
It's a character builder. Next stop will be LeMars, IA, home of Blue Bunny Ice Cream.
I am definitely planning on lunch at the Blue Bunny museum and visitors store.

Special thanks to all of you who posted comments yesterday. I feel your spirit and love while pedaling. Have a fun day.

NOTE: Tonight I will be in Sioux City, IA and plan on finding a "Sprint" store. Maybe they can solve my image uploading problem. Don't worry, there will be plenty of photos posted.
Cathy, you are right about Rule#2, always learn how to operate technical systems before you really need the service.

Enjoy!