48 Plus 1
Today Beth rode through Minnesota and Iowa to complete her quest to to ride through all lower 48 states and the District of Columbia.
The day was pretty typical. We packed up, got gas and ice, and headed east. I-90 through southern Minnesota is in terrible shape. They have reconstructed a few stretches and are working on a couple more, but it’s mostly bumpy asphalt over bad concrete.
We stopped for coffee at a restaurant. It’s a popular place. We were seated right away, but people were waiting in line by the time we left.
We stopped for lunch at the welcome center just over the Iowa state line. It had a nice picnic area and some history, too.
We drove through Plymouth, IA, and took pictures of the home my great grandparents purchased in 1903. My grandmother sold the home in 1960. I visited there a few times in the ’50s.
We stopped for afternoon coffee in Nashua, IA, and rode a couple of miles to take a picture of the Little Brown Church in the Vale.
We arrived at our Bunk a Biker host’s home in late afternoon. They are great hosts and Steeler fans to boot!
So when’s Hawaii….????
Probably the 32 of Octember.
The piece about your grandparents home was very touching, I’m 68 now but whenever I return “home” I always go to where my parents first home, and where I have the fondest memories.
The building has long been demolished but the street layout is still as it was back then.
I must look a bit strange standing where the house used to be, visualising how it used to look, it’s now a housing estate.
Except for the paint color and the garage that wasn’t there, the house looks the same as it did when I visited in the 50s. Stopping by brings back fond memories.
I have a 2nd cousin that farms in the Plymouth area, and my parents and grandparents were married in the little brown church. Depending on where you went from Oelwein, you passed within a few miles, or maybe even a few feet of our house.
We went straight south on 150 to I 380
You were about 12 miles from us as you passe by Center Point on 380.
👍
That’s nice I know nothing of my family history but I started my own history with my family
Your children will appreciate it later on.
The map shows you inching closer and clloser to home. Still more adventures to come though.
One more adventure then eat some miles.