Number 2

A bit over a week later, the uncle comes by. "You know," he says, "I've never really been thru Northern Iowa. Let's go that way. We'll go into Minnesota from there." Suuuure. Why not? We had to wait a few days as I had something coming that I had to wait for. So, about 5 days after he had initially came over, we took off. We started this trip where we had started the last, I-80. This time tho, we stayed away from the river, taking 61. We followed that north to Maquoketa and took 64 west. We followed that to outside Anamosa, Hwy 151. We followed that north thru Monticello til we got to 38. We followed that to 3 and headed west. After a little more wrangling, we passed thru Charles City. Just outside the city we started seeing a bunch of bicyclists. Had I done my research beforehand, I would have realized RAGBRAI was happening. Look it up. We stopped in Mason City, IA for the night. Nice city, nice hotel. There was a small lake/large pond right behind the Holiday Inn. The bar was a pretty good time as well. Pretty good conversation and whatnot.
Next morning, we headed north on 69 into MN. We got on 13 in the town of Albert Lea. We followed that to 14, and west on that to 15N in New Ulm. New Ulm is a gorgeous city. Well worth a couple night stay. We, however, kept rolling along. We stayed on 15 to 55W to 71N. We stayed on 71 to Bemidji. Benidji is near the headwaters of Ole Miss. It is also a beautiful city. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express there. About half a mile from the hotel is a restaurant called Peppercorns. Awesome. It is a bit pricey, like $15 minimum for an entree. But it is awesome food and well worth the price.
Next day we headed out. We followed 2 out Bemidji til we hit 65S. We stayed on that to 23E. We followed that to where it turns into 48 and into WI where the Hwy turns into 77. We jumped from there to 53S into Eau Claire. The hotel bar was pretty good that night. It was definitely busy. There was a wedding party going to happen the next day and the people were starting to show up. The bar was good sized, with like a dozen beers on draft. It was a pretty good time. It was also the uncle's birthday. He is now officially 87. The next day we headed home, with no 13 hour saddle time this trip. It was only like 8. We sort of meandered our way back into IL and home.
There may be another trip soon. Keep looking and enjoying the ride.