Pat & Cats Heartland Tour 2010

Ridin' in Rain

Soggy

It looked like rain, Cat hedged our bet. It’s 50 miles to Omaha but there’s a town, Plattsmouth just 20 miles up Hwy 75. Still in hills but do-able. It began to drizzle then the drops got bigger and after a short time we were in steady rain. Passing trucks and cars sprayed us, too. We began to prune out.

Court House

In to Plattsmouth in time for lunch at Mom’s Cafe. Good food and we met 3 guys there from an excavation company. They were all interested in our stories. The owner as it turns out, Daryl, told us about an event, “Jazz on the Green” in Omaha on Thursday. He’s also going to see Lyle Lovette tonight.

Cat called and confirmed the room at The Palmele House B&B and got directions. We decided to ride down to the River Landing only to find that the Missouri River had changed course and it was 4 miles upstream now. Very steep hills riding up to the B&B. Carroll, the owner, had us pull up onto her big porch. She provided rags to wipe the bikes and bags down with. We lashed the bikes to a porch swing and stashed the bags inside.

Palmele House

We jumped into the shower while Carroll dried our soggy cycling cloths. Spent the afternoon chatting with another couple, Jack & Wendy, from Redwood City, California. They’re searching roots and found that a relative of hers built the Palmele House and a cousin had lived in it. Nice old place built in 1905.

Another couple, Frank and Sherry are career Army. Stationed at Leavenworth, he is deploying for the 6Th time to Iraq next week. So this is like a little honeymoon for them. She too is Army. Their eldest son is now in the Army and headed to South Korea. The other is in college. He is deploying to the middle east again soon. This is a True Army Family! Sherry told us about the Bicycling Buffalo Soldiers.

Another Godfather evening for us. Too far and weather too unstable to walk into town.

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A short ride under threatening gray skies. Early out and early in. We chose to stop after Cat watched the weather report before breakfast. The skies remained ominous looking as we rode the lighter hills. We were in Nebraska City by11:00 AM. The Best Western is at the southern edge of town. We cycled past it, found that WalMart was just next door. It’s a mile into the old town and no restaurants nearby.

After a quick reconnoitre we rolled back to the BW. Nice place. Cat worked on reservations in Sioux City on the Biz Center computer. I tried to get this Blog caught up. Wine and salad from WalMart, Pizza delivered by God Father’s.

WalMart Wine Cart

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Decided to get an early start so Breakfast at Mickey D’s. Yikes, another flat, my rear wheel, of course. Change of plan, I changed the tube while Cat went to MacDonald’s. In a hurry I got the tire on backward, DAMN! Had to do it twice. Breakfast with grease under my fingernails.

Cat got road advice from a local who rides a recumbent. We backtracked a little then jumped on Hwy 36 west for about 8 miles then north on Hwy 75 and in to our 6Th state, Nebraska. Pulled up looking for cold drinks in a tiny town. Asked at the Post Office and learned that there’s not a cafe, store or service station here. The Post Mistress pointed to a machine. We had a very cold cola, she allowed Cat illegal use of the toilet and we rode on. Very nice woman, she apoligized for the lack of services. She’s from Colorado and misses it.

Old Buggy

Cow Barn

Farm on Pond

Cat 'n' Corn

Statea # Seven

In spite of the flat beginning we made good time. Had a sandwich at 1:30 then found the Arbor Manor. It’s a beautiful old house that houses a good restaurant. The rooms are a latter day addition motel. They had rain delayed 4Th fireworks behind our room at the high school followed by natures own display of lightening and thunder through the night.

Arbor House

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