Having a blast in Ill! 

Day 4

This one is for Brad. View of the Mississippi from Chestnut Mtn Resort in Galena IL. 

Alpine slide anyone? 

Mattya and Dan racing all the way to the finish!

This is called Cave Bacon. 

Crystal Lake Cave. Something fun to do on a hot day! 

Sundown ski area. Nice view of the run Turkey Ridge with a turkey strutting around down there! 

Day 3

This is the barn where Dan and his bike club store the lawnmowers and tractors for the Farm. Dan and Kevin spent a whole day out there mowing down all the weeds so that we could ride. Their bike club used to ride out there with the permisson of the farmer who owned the land. When the farmer wanted to sell, a guy on the club bought the property so that they could ensure they had a place to ride. Like I said, they work very hard to ride. 

The forest is thick with plants. Many of which will scratch the hell out of your arms and legs. My arms looked like I had been attacked.

Riding at the Farm. 

After our fun bike ride at the Farm, we went out on river with the new toys. Sure pretty looking toys! I think the top speed was about 65. 

Little tour of the Mississippi with Gordy before we did a lock through. (going through the lock and Dam) 

Gordy the Captain of the Spirit of Dubuque and Harley lover. 

Hailing like a bastard!

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Originally uploaded by shZo.

Friday morning was a beautiful. A little coffee, off to the boats, then the museum and then our first mtn bike ride in Iowa. The riders here work for their rides more than we ever will. 

First visit for Matty A on the Spirit of Dubuque. This is one of the last ships to be powered only by the paddle wheels. 

Arrrggghh! I see me some pirates! 

After a trip to the boats, we headed over to the National River Museum and Aquarium. One of the coolest museums ever! 

I am pretty sure noodling isnt for me. This is a huge catfish. 

This one is for Rose! Isnt it cute? 

FDR park, it was a park that was open when we were kids, but its closed now. Makes a great place to mountain bike. 

Up and over!

The riding is totally different than out here. Seeing the trail is not always possible. The foliage is very dense, but that just adds to the adventure. 

Dan and a branch had a bit of a close call. 

Day one of the Iowa trip looked a lot like this. About 12 hours and 40 minutes of this. 

and lots of this. 

and this! We are almost there!