Easy ride today

Today was an easy 48 mile ride from Mason City (birthplace of masonite) to Charles City. We rode about 20 miles and came across an abandoned quarry that had lots of Devonian fossils. I found three different kinds of brachiopods, pelecypods (clams) and horn corals- it was fun! We then rode another 10 miles before we stopped for breakfast- at Mr. Pork Chop.. Mr. Pork Chop is a fixture and perennial RAGBRAI favorite. I had a big Iowa cut pork chop and a vodka lemonade… at about 9:00 in the morning. A brass band was playing and it was a carnival like atmosphere. Less than half a mile from Mr. Pork Chop, Rick Stewart, a libertarian candidate for governor, had a roadside bar set up and was serving free gin & tonic or bloody marys. So, we stopped again…Then we were waved down by a new friend at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent for some cheese curds and a beer…Then we rode 12 hilly miles straight into a 15 mph wind. Oh well, it was a very fun morning! We had a very tasty dinner (and a really good slice of apple pie) at the Methodist Church, which we have done 3 out of 4 nights, and then walked around main street a bit. Tomorrow we have a 65+ mile ride to West Union. I am very tired tonight and will turn in early- certainly before 9:00.

In certain circumstances, big pork chop makes a great breakfast.