Day 29 – July 26, 2003

A Long Straight Ride

Ride from Des Moines, Iowa to Moorefield, Nebraska

We started early this morning because it was going to be about 400 miles today. We took the freeway most of the way to regain some time we had lost. The scenery is pretty similar when you take the freeways because they want you watching the road. It is a little windy and I notice there are a few of those windmills we see around Palm Springs though they are few and usually next to some large company’s building. The signs along the sides of the road can be entertaining though. As we cross into Nebraska and pass by Omaha, we cross the Missouri River again. It seems that river is everywhere we go. Once we get out of the city, the hills back off until they completely disappear. You may see a few ridges and tree lines, and the clouds show up again, but as far as you can see, the mountains are gone. I miss them already. As we get closer to the center of the state, we start to see signs of history again. Indian tribes and markers, settlers museums, old tanks and jeeps, even a bridge built over the freeway that looks to have been attached to a fort. TP’s show up in a few select locations. We turn off the main highway and the rolling hills, draws, and ponds start showing up again. I guess you just have to get off the highway. We start to see life the way it is happening out here in today’s world. We finally arrive at my brothers place in Moorefield, so you may not hear from me for a day or two, then I’ll be back out on the byways…