Coast2Coast Day 42: Missouri Valley, IA to Council Bluffs, IA/Omaha, NE; shaded streets/trails/parks to complete pre-RAGBRAI distance!  Frank Street and Wabash Trace (Tastee Treat at the end was closed till 11A!?!)

Since we had ridden ‘extra’ yesterday, today’s ride was even shorter.  After breakfast quesadillas and coffee from Casa (on the road) de Cathy, we were off to meet her at the Council Bluffs Public Library.  The ride was shaded by many trees along the way!

Shawn at the Crescent, IA Casey’s helped us identify where we were at the time!  Daniel and I decided to ride all the way to the Wabash Trace, and then ‘double back’ to the Library.  On the way to the Trace, we made a wrong turn onto Frank Street (instead of Franklin Street).  Since my Dad’s name is Frank, and part of the stories I tell and am honoring him with the ride, it was special, particularly that the gradient on the hill approached 15% before I realized it was an unintended and fortuitous diversion!  Just beyond the Trace is a Tastee Treat, which was unfortunately closed until 11A.  [Darn, we biked too fast!]

We met Cathy at the Library, and did some ‘constructive work,’ while she conducted a business call.  The Library was accommodating in providing her a conference room for her Zoom call.

We lunched near the Library at Duncan’s Cafe, which is tucked into a building on Main Street.  They are a farm-to-table place, with the condiments made fresh on location.  Daniel and I had the roasted pork and mashed potatoes, with brown gravy.  Daniel’s eyes popped when he saw the portions!  Holly was helpful in helping us navigate to something much-more-than-needed!

After lunch, we loaded the bikes onto the van for a quick drive to an overnight stay in Omaha, NE.  Daniel has a haircut planned, and Cathy will head to a vegetarian place for dinner, while Daniel and I enjoy whiskey-marinated steaks at The Drover.  (A favorite place of mine from when I worked in Omaha in the 90’s!)

Coming up we will have a few ‘off’ days in Des Moines, get some repairs and/or tuning to our bikes, possibly some shopping for RAGBRAI, and maybe massages.  Stay tuned!