Day #32 September 11, 2007

Day #32
Tuesday September 11, 2007

Hannibal, MO to Monticello, IA
271 miles today (21,092 - 21,363)
6,882 miles total

1 new state today: Iowa
17 states total

Woke up DRY today since I decided against camping last night.
My jeans are still damp this morning. The sky is clear, blue and
beautiful today. Should be a great day to ride!

As is typical, a couple had some questions about the trailer.
They were bikers, too, but had never camped while on the bike.
They were from just north of Anamosa, which was my goal today.
We talked of the road I would travel, and some alternates,
as well as the time a deer jumped from a ditch right into them
while they were both on his bike. This was only 2 miles from
there home. They were fortunate to survive. The bike did not,
and I can't recall what they said about the deer!

I left Hannibal about 9 and drove through the "downtown"
which included the Mark Twain home. I drove down to the
Mississippi River and saw a paddle wheeler. Tours on the river
didn't start until 1:30 PM. I headed north onward toward Iowa.
I rode with a sweatshirt on underneath my jacket, and would
soon wish I had my winter gloves on. They were packed away
somewhere in the trailer. I haven't adjusted away from the
heat yet. I'm still in the 90-100 degree mode, and here it is
in the upper 50's this AM. The ride north was uneventful, and
the chatter from the truckers was entertaining. Some of the
chit chat between them is pretty foul. It's kind of disappointing,
but it can be humorous.

Breakfast didn't arrive until 11:40 AM. The continental offered
at the motel (donuts, cereal, toast) was not "real enough" for me.
I stopped in Fort Madison, IA and warmed up with 3 cups of
coffee in addition to the eggs, sausage, toast and hashbrowns.
Again, someone had seen me pull in, and had lots of questions
about where I'd been and where I was headed.

I pulled into Anamosa, IA just about 3PM. Drove past the
Nat'l Motorcycle Museum (one of my planned stops) and
went right to the state campground just out of town. It was
completely deserted, and was pretty isolated. I couldn't even
tell for sure if it was open for business. I headed back to town,
went to the visitor center and they had closed at 3. Went to the
bank for some cash, then back to the museum. The lady there
recommended a campground in Monticello, about 10 minutes
north of Anamosa. I toured the museum, saw some neat bikes,
made some pictures, then headed out to find the campground.
My concern about camping tonight is that the forecast is calling
for a low of 36 degrees tonight and frost. That's a far cry from
the great temps Oregon is having right now. And there doesn't
seem to be a bit of humidity here in Iowa. Very pleasant, but
quite windy.

On the way to the campground, I discovered I would pass right
by J&P Cycles, the big aftermarket retailer of motorcycle parts.
I pulled in there and got another good lead on a motel in nearby
Monticello, and the lady confirmed the forecast for me right there
at her desk via the internet. She also informed me that this
night was there last bike/car show get together. There would
be food, entertainment and door prizes. So I headed north
to Monticello (10 minutes away) and checked in the Blue Inn.
Unloaded a few things, checked mail, and headed back to
J&P. I pulled the trailer with me, because there was nothing
here at the motel parking lot to lock it to. It would just be
easier to pull it along.

I got a burger and Pepsi, called my daughter, then started
to roam the bikes and cars. There were some beautiful paint
jobs and lots of custom bikes. I wanted to go inside and register
for some of the door prizes and went back to the bike for my
camera. I got there, and had 5 guys (retired) all wanting to
know my story. Some were interested in the trailer, some in
the trip, some in my bike and how it could pull the trailer.
I spent the next hour and a half talking about the trip, answering
questions, swapping stories and having a great time. It was
like a trade show! I never even made it inside the building!

I left about dusk, ever watchful of deer. It is already COLD
outside. I can't imagine what it's going to be like in the
morning! I will head south to Kansas and Oklahoma tomorrow.