I Got Crop Dusted in Nebraska
The Journey to RAGBRAI LIII
Backroads Kansas and Nebraska
A combination of two traditional American holidays: 4th of July decorations on a Christmas tree. Seen in a Kansas rest area.
A quest for iconic mid-west America.
Our journey to the endurance event RAGBRAI began July 17th. We had over 650 miles of driving, split over two days. Before leaving, co-authors Merida Bass and Catherine Dilts were determined to discover authentic America. The world of church pies and crop dusters, patriotic symbols and corn fields.
Over the next several days, we will report on the trip into America’s heartland, hand in hand with the ultra-endurance event, the oldest, longest recreational bike event in the world, RAGBRAI. Covering 468 miles across the entirety of the state of Iowa, the event draws tens of thousands of people.
Not all are participating in the cycling. Merida and her husband Ron hope to pedal across Iowa. Catherine and her husband Leonard are the support crew, plus Strider the English Springer Spaniel and Legolas the Tuxedo Kitten are providing comfort and entertainment.
We will provide brief reports on Merida’s ride and Catherine’s drive, pies discovered, and the small towns the route takes us through.
But we haven’t started yet. So here is a rundown on the long, two-day drive from Colorado to Iowa.
Escape from Colorado: a wildfire shut down I-25. We had to re-route our trip through eastern Colorado, cutting through Kansas. Seeing green fields was a contrast to the tinder-dry hillsides of home.
We entered Nebraska, and rolling hills. Dinner was fairly standard fare at a lively place called Kitty’s Roadhouse. Points for good service and fun decor.
Driving from Hastings, Nebraska, to our KOA took us on country roads. Leonard and Catherine observed a crop duster - a small airplane - swooping low over a cornfield. Leonard slowed so we could watch it. The plane barely skimmed over power lines as it crossed the road from one field to the next. As it passed over us, our windshield was sprayed with a fine mist.
We got crop dusted in Nebraska.
The Grand Island KOA provided a restful stop. Strider and Legolas enjoyed outdoor time.
Breakfast the next day was Tommy’s Family Restaurant in Grand Island. Typical American fare, with good service and patriotic decor.
After crossing the Missouri River, we entered Onawa, Iowa. The small town had been invaded by RAGBRAI, and was in a state of barely controlled chaos. We found our camping areas: an RV parking lot for Catherine and Leonard, and a shady green park for Merida and Ron’s tent.
We rode bikes to the festival area, then went to a meeting for support drivers. Strider ran around town with us, literally. Back in the RV, it was obvious the heat and exertion had gotten to him. Catherine, Strider, and Legolas stayed in the RV while the rest of the team rode bikes downtown for the opening ceremony.
Tomorrow, RAGBRAI begins!
Tonight’s Camp
Not exactly scenic, but very practical RV camping at Onawa fairgrounds.
Tent camping - more scenic, and shady!
The end of a long day.
Today’s Favorite Entertainment
For some reason the town of Onawa set off a howitzer.
Weather Report
Hot and humid! But clouds rolled in for the evening, and it was generally pleasant.
Corn!
Nebraska does indeed have lots of cornfields. However, upon closer inspection, two of the fields in the video were probably soybeans. But in the fields adjacent to them was more corn!
RAGBRAI LIII
Catherine and Leonard are crewing for Merida and Ron at the 53rd Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa! Our team name is “You may not rest now, there are monsters nearby.”
Meet Strider and Legolas in furson.
We’re bringing books and will be happy to sell and sign copies!
Sunday, July 19th - Saturday, July 25th
All day, every day! Check out the route here!
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Where to find us:
Catherine’s Website - https://catherinedilts.com/
Merida’s Website - https://merida-creates.com/
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Catherine Dilts is the author of the Rose Creek Mystery series. Her short stories regularly appear in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Recently retired from a career in environmental compliance, Catherine now writes fiction full time.
Merida Bass almost wasn’t an artist. Fear of criticism resulted in her teaching remedial algebra to unwilling college students. After ten years of torture, she grew a backbone and threw herself into art, writing, and training for endurance events.
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