Coast2Coast Days 43-45: Omaha, NE to Des Moines, IA; Non-riding time and visiting with friends!
After breakfast, including waffles, we stopped at a Goodwill thrift store where we picked up some ‘asundries’ priced by the pound! (I think we got a backpack, a couple of yoga mats, and ?!?) From there we drove to the Des Moines area, stopping at DSW, Trader Joe’s, and REI for other items. We dropped Cathy off at our ABNB location for the next few days.
Daniel and I took our bikes to Rynovelo to drop them off for service by Ryan. Daniel also picked up some replacement boots (bike shoes), as his had lost their support. On the way back to the ABNB, we also picked up some pre-mixed margarita from Central City Liquors. Dana was very helpful in helping us to get the ‘best’ with Triple Sec and Jose Quervo! Our ‘coupon’ helped!
Cathy, Daniel and I settled in at the ABNB, and were later joined by Steve and Deanna (from Chicago), and Stefanie (from Kansas) to visit for the next couple of days. Deanna and Cathy have known each other since second grade! Steve, Deanna, Cathy and Phil have vacationed together for the last many years, including Young Philip and Annabell (their son and daughter). Stefanie and Cathy met while Cathy was in graduate school at the University of Kansas. Stefanie’s daughter, Olive, is housesitting for Cathy and Phil while we are on our journey this Summer!
It was great to ‘catch up’ with them over multiple meals and local excursions (including visits to Black Cat Ice Cream shop). We had an especially fun meal at Eatery A, where Hannah and Kate provided us with exceptional service for our hungry group! We returned to the ABNB for a brief respite, before a short stroll to Black Cat for another dessert, and viewing of lightning bugs (which have been sought and been evasive for us).
This morning, Stefanie heads back to Kansas (and returns to the real world), and Deanna and Steve head back to Chicago (as Steve never left the ‘real world,’ doing business and attending e-meetings from wherever he may be ‘connected’). Daniel and I pick up our bikes, and do some final shake out.
Looking forward to getting together with our RAGBRAI team, and riding with a great group for the week!!
Cheers!
When we stopped at Central City Liquors a couple of years ago, the very helpful clerk was excited to learn we were from Colorado and wanted to know if we brought any “special goodies” for her. She had to coach us on the correct answer when she queried about our “coupon”. For future reference, the correct answer is “Yes, of course we have a coupon!” Have fun on RAGBRAI!