DeMoines Iowa to Sioux City Iowa

June 7 , 2025

I awake early to dark clouds and needed to get going to try to beat the rain. I ate my left over pizza and Root Beer for breakfast. I packed up and was out of camp by seven. Frog togs at the ready, I stopped for gas and planned to go take back roads to the North and route 20 west to go around the rain. I stopped just after the gas station and put on the rain gear. It rained a little and I was worried that a detour might put me in the rain. Eventually I dodged the rain and enjoyed riding though the fields of wind mills. After a couple of miles, the GPS suggested a quick stop in a few miles. Great. I get off in a few miles and realize a quick stop is just a couple of gas pumps that's all. I go around the block to find a smalll ghost town. There was a post office and a set of mail boxes, but no hint of civilization. All the buildings were just sitting all closed up. I peed behind a fence and then got going. I really needed water. I got back on 20 and hoped for an oasis. Awhile later there was a sinclair gas station. Yay! I got two waters, a coffee, a charger cord, a breakfast sandwich, and a piece of Strawbery Rhubarb pie. I added a Vitamin C electrolyte packet to one of the waters to help me hydrate. The ladies that worked in this stop were so nice. After eating, I closed my eyes and rested for a bit. In the corner were five older gentlemen talking about farming. I quess it was the morning coffee meeting of friends. As I was packing up , one of the gentlemen stopped to chat. He said it was nice to drive through Nebraska. It is prettier than I-90, but it has fewer gas stations. I got gas before leaving and it was strange. They have five different types of gas. Luckily I had over heard one of the ladies explaining it to another customer, so I knew which one to use.

The next city I would come to was Sioux City Iowa. It was very city like with lots of stores everywhere. After having a converstation with the GPS, I found a big camping store. They were very helpful and I bought a new water backpack and water. The store was their version of a Cabellas. They had large fake trees inside the store as well as scenes with all sorts of animals on display. When I went back out to the bike, I made my reservation at the KOA and tested the water backpack. All good. I got out of the city after a few wrong turns and made my way up highway 29 . I saw signs for Wall drug, but I didn't really have time to stop. As the 3 pm hour approached coffee was needed so I stopped in Vermillion. I asked one of the employees how do you make ice coffee here? I just made hot coffee and then put it into a cup with ice, He asked someone else and found out that there is a button for ice coffee on the machine. Now we both know. I sat down to enjoy my coffee and started chatting with a gentleman at the next table. I found out he works at the rest area across the street. He keeps the grounds picked up and mowed. He was 83. He likes working a few days a week, as his wife is younger and is still working. He says he has a nice little place next to a stream. He can fish, grill, and be outside on his screened in porch. What more do you need. He built his own house and wants to build another one. He used to travel, but not anymore.

My coffee drank, I made my way the last 60 miles or so. When I got off the exit I saw a sign for a diner. I follow the signs and stop at Marlin's Family Resturant. I was starting to feel funny like I was still moving, but I was stopped. I ordered a ham and cheese omelete with hash browns and pancakes. The breakfast I had been waiting for. When I was done, I headed down to the KOA. I was escorted to a nice grassy camp site on the end near the trees. Except for being next to the playground it was a nice site. I set up and went to take a much needed shower. I spent some time looking at the map to plan tomorrow route.

Extra: This am I saw a road runner bird and a beautiful Palomino mare and foal. I also liked Route 20. The speed limit was fast enough at 60mph but there were less cars and tractor trailer trucks than the interstate.