What a trip we just completed. We made it to five of the six states we had planned. We traveled in Minnesota, Iowa,Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. We did not
make it to South Dakota....I will explain in a bit.
My wife Sue and I started our journey Saturday morning July 14th and headed Southwest through Minnesota and Northwest Iowa. We traveled the paved back roads and hit every small town we could find. Each small hamlet had it's own special flair. In Denison, IA they touted themselves as being the home of Donna Reed. Further south in Clarinda, Iowa we found the home of Glen Miller and one of the nicest town squares in America. And of course a trip in that part of the state would not be complete without stopping in Stanton, Iowa to see the birthplace of Mrs. Olson of Folger's Coffee fame.
We worked our way South into Missouri and found some great roads that actually hade a few curves and hills. This was much different than the roads in Iowa the previous day. After Missouri, we cruised into Kansas and were impressed with the quality of their roads and the friendliness of the folks who call it home. Nebraska beckoned so we crossed over the mighty Missouri River and took in the sites. The roads were not challenging in that area but the scenery was nice and we took in some historical areas visited by Lewis and Clark.
Our only real challenge up to this point was the weather. It was 96 to 100 degrees with humidity to match. As long as we keep moving and taking plenty of water it was fine.
The real challenge came Monday night at the motel when Sue started complaining of chest pains that would no go away. Since we were on our bikes I called 911 and an ambulance arrived within three minuits. Two police squad cars and four officers arrived within two minuits. That is not hard to do in Denison, Iowa, population 7,000. Anyway, the ambulance took Sue to their community hospital and I was chaufered in a squad car. The staff at the hospital gave her about every drug on the protocal list and did a really good job considering their size. Since there was no Cardiologist there it was recomended that they transport her to the nearest heart center that was located in Sioux City, Iowa...about an hour and a half away.
So off Sue went in the ambulance with two paramedics. I stayed behind until the sun came up because of all the deer in the area. To make a long story short.....she finally had a Cardiac Catheterization done at about 7;00 Tuesday night. They had 12 to do and Sue kept getting bumped down the priority list. By 11;15 that night they discharged her from the hospital saying she had the heart of a healthy 16 year old. Man that was a relief. $35,000 later here comes the diagnosis....Heartburn! Oh well, that beats the hell out of a heart problem any day.
This was a real wake up call for both of us. Stop smoking, lose weight, eat better and excercise more.
Anyway, to continue the story....they cut Sue loose at 11;15 PM and we took the shuttle to a downtown hotel. The next morning we were both on my bike heading southeast to get her bike and belongings left at the motel. I can't believe the doctor said we could travel so soon. He knew we were on bikes and said go ahead as long as she felt good.
Seventy five miles later riding two up we found Sue's bike and were on our merry way heading back towards home. Six days and almost 1200 miles later we arrived home safe and sound. I will try to post pictures this weekend. Bob
My wife Sue and I started our journey Saturday morning July 14th and headed Southwest through Minnesota and Northwest Iowa. We traveled the paved back roads and hit every small town we could find. Each small hamlet had it's own special flair. In Denison, IA they touted themselves as being the home of Donna Reed. Further south in Clarinda, Iowa we found the home of Glen Miller and one of the nicest town squares in America. And of course a trip in that part of the state would not be complete without stopping in Stanton, Iowa to see the birthplace of Mrs. Olson of Folger's Coffee fame.
We worked our way South into Missouri and found some great roads that actually hade a few curves and hills. This was much different than the roads in Iowa the previous day. After Missouri, we cruised into Kansas and were impressed with the quality of their roads and the friendliness of the folks who call it home. Nebraska beckoned so we crossed over the mighty Missouri River and took in the sites. The roads were not challenging in that area but the scenery was nice and we took in some historical areas visited by Lewis and Clark.
Our only real challenge up to this point was the weather. It was 96 to 100 degrees with humidity to match. As long as we keep moving and taking plenty of water it was fine.
The real challenge came Monday night at the motel when Sue started complaining of chest pains that would no go away. Since we were on our bikes I called 911 and an ambulance arrived within three minuits. Two police squad cars and four officers arrived within two minuits. That is not hard to do in Denison, Iowa, population 7,000. Anyway, the ambulance took Sue to their community hospital and I was chaufered in a squad car. The staff at the hospital gave her about every drug on the protocal list and did a really good job considering their size. Since there was no Cardiologist there it was recomended that they transport her to the nearest heart center that was located in Sioux City, Iowa...about an hour and a half away.
So off Sue went in the ambulance with two paramedics. I stayed behind until the sun came up because of all the deer in the area. To make a long story short.....she finally had a Cardiac Catheterization done at about 7;00 Tuesday night. They had 12 to do and Sue kept getting bumped down the priority list. By 11;15 that night they discharged her from the hospital saying she had the heart of a healthy 16 year old. Man that was a relief. $35,000 later here comes the diagnosis....Heartburn! Oh well, that beats the hell out of a heart problem any day.
This was a real wake up call for both of us. Stop smoking, lose weight, eat better and excercise more.
Anyway, to continue the story....they cut Sue loose at 11;15 PM and we took the shuttle to a downtown hotel. The next morning we were both on my bike heading southeast to get her bike and belongings left at the motel. I can't believe the doctor said we could travel so soon. He knew we were on bikes and said go ahead as long as she felt good.
Seventy five miles later riding two up we found Sue's bike and were on our merry way heading back towards home. Six days and almost 1200 miles later we arrived home safe and sound. I will try to post pictures this weekend. Bob
00 AM watching the ambulance take Sue to the next hospital 1.5 hours away I thought of you and Marsha after
your crash. Man, that was a helpless feeling. You guys are looking great. I could see by your pictures that both of you guys look like teenagers again!
