Note: I left my notepad in the scooter. I’ll update this when I retrieve it 😉
Day 2 Miles traveled: 332 miles
Total Miles traveled: 628 miles
It was a beautiful day to drive through Iowa. Special thanks to my friends in Iowa for suggesting the route!
I started out at around 4am in Nauvoo State Park. The night before, I believe there was something going on by the LDS temple, based on the singing and torches. Something about camping always encourages me to wake up early.
An interesting side note – apparently this region of the country is extremely important in the history of the Mormons. As I drove through Iowa, the roads I traveled ran concurrently with a Mormon Heritage Trail. Nauvoo was founded by Mormons (including Joseph Smith) after purchasing the failed settlement of Commerce, who moved on after the Mormon-Missouri War.
As the sun rose over the horizon, I was greeted by a few locals, and spotted an endangered species.
After packing up camp, I scootered off. The LDS Temple was very impressive, and I was greeted by several people as they made their way inside. When I turned around, I was greeted by the Mississippi.
After leaving Nauvoo, I took the short ride up, and crossed the Mississippi at Fort Madison, IA. Still needing a stretch break, I took some pictures.
To be honest, the weather (at first, at least) was perfect for driving. Sunny, relatively cool, with a very light breeze. Fantastic.
I took a leisurely pace, cruising at around 50 mph through the rolling hills of Iowa. I’ll be honest, I always thought Iowa was flat, cornfields, soybean fields, and boring (much like northern IN and much of IL I drove through).
I’m also just realizing that I have driven through three “I” states in succession: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa.
The first part of the route took me along the Historic Hills Scenic Byway: An 85 mile long route through the rolling hills. I took the southern route, through Unionville (ha) and Bloomfield (double ha. Also, apparently I can’t upload the picture from Bloomfield. Maybe later).
Also saw this on the roadside and was amused.
I reached the end of the Historic Hills Scenic Byway in Albia, IA. Good time for a gas and rest stop, so I headed to the gas station (after waiting for the construction 4-way stop light, which rotates one direction at a time.) I met a couple on their own cross country trip, zig-zagging from Los Angeles to Philadelphia on motorcycles!
Hitting the road again via US-34, it started to get warmer. It was at this point I lamented my not buying vented gloves (“My leather gloves will be fine I’m sure”). The warmth in my hands became unbearable around Malvern, IA. By this point, it was well into the 90’s, and humid. the heat index was 107*F when I arrived in Louisville State Park, NE.
I reached the Louisville State Park in Nebraska around 4pm local time, and started to set up camp. Talked with a few other campers/families who were fishing in one of the ponds. Took a much needed shower for $0.25 at the campground too!
As night fell, it became increasingly clear that the heat was not going to be dissipating anytime soon. Inside the hammock was stuffy and humid – the bug net kept draping down, increasing the suffocating feeling. Hot, exhausted, increasingly cranky, and with a headache, I decided it was time to relocate at 10:30pm, in favor of a hotel. Ambient temperature was 83*F, with a heat index of 90*F. Not good sleeping weather.
I’ve had heat exhaustion before, so I knew the signs to look for. Let me be the first to tell you that heat exhaustion is no joke. I had been drinking water and gatorade all day, and doing my best to eat as well, and it still crept up on me.
Thankfully, there was a Motel 6 only 10 miles north with rooms for a low rate ($50 all in? Done).
So here I am, in a hotel, air conditioning, access to water, and cooling down.
This was the first time I looked at myself and asked “What the hell are you doing? Why are you doing this? What is wrong with you?”
For the adventure. For the experience. To explore this beautiful country, and to meet interesting people.
That’s why, Bryan. That’s why.
Want to Help? That would be super-cool!
Than trip should take an estimated 10 days maximum, and roughly 3,000 miles. That will take a bit of a toll on the ol’ wallet, so I am happy to take any donations my generous friends would like to offer. For reference:
$3 will get me approximately 70 miles closer to my goal.
$15 will feed me for the day
$35 will get me one night at a Tent Campsite at a KOA Campsite
$40 will buy me one tire when I get to my destination (as the rear tire will likely be spent by then!)
$75 will get me one night at a hotel (and more importantly, a shower!)
If you would like to donate, feel free to leave a comment (they are private until I approve them, or you can email me at bryrhoey at gmail) and I can set that up, or you can send me money via PayPal! 🙂
If you live along the route, and don’t mind me camping/crashing/eating with you, I’d appreciate that too!
You are doing something that not many people would! You are doing it because you are strong, adventurous and curious. You are doing it for the journey moreso than for the destination. You are doing it for self-growth, and discovery.
Keep at it and stay safe!
Dat Wanderlust doh