Sargeant Bluff, IA to Sioux Center, IA

This is our first whole day in Iowa, out 7th state. I started out at about 7:15 this morning. The air is cooler and feels so much better. We needed to negotiate our way through the city of Sioux City this morning. That went well and used less travelled city streets. A couple went through neighborhoods of very old restored homes and that was nice.

Once out of the city, it was back to cornfields again. This part of Iowa is quite hilly and though we only had to bike 60 miles today (did I say ONLY!!?) the hills made up for it. The farm land is beautiful and bountiful.

On on route today, we passed through the small town of Ireton and the CRC there had a great refreshment stop for us. They had strawberry/banana slushes and root beer floats! Wow, that hit the spot. It was then on to Dordt College in Sioux Center. The campus is all very new here at Dordt and everything is very neat and spotless, though there is some grounds construction underway. We were greeted by one of our own cyclists, Sheryl, who works here. She gave us instructions for getting settled and explained the way around campus. We are in air-conditioned dorms with computer access as well. This dorm is really nice and spotless. We have to provide our own bedding tonight, but that is a small price to pay!

There is a Celebration Service tonight in the campus BJ Haan Auditorium at 7:00. The college is providing us with pizza and chicken tonight for dinner and a breakfast buffet tomorrow morning. Another great show of hospitality. We have been so blessed by so many people along the way by their generosity to us.

I got in to the campus today at 12:30 and registered and got a room for us. I showered, walked the campus and then called Julie to see when she would be in. The last riders had just left the Ireton church! That will mean she will not be in until about 5:00...bummer, as we have great facilities to enjoy here. Well, I guess I will catch an afternoon nap and try to get ready for the 3 100+ mile days we have coming starting tomorrow. I hope the landscape flattens out and we have a tail wind.

Love to all, P & J.