Today we were heading to Pikes Peak in Iowa and Preston MN to visit Dad and Candy’s resting spots at the Veterans Cemetery and then onto La Crosse for tonight’s stay. We headed out around 8:30ish after grabbing some breakfast at the hotel and wiping down the bikes from the rainstorm that hit around 1 a.m.
We were very hesitant and extra watchful when we drove through the scene of Kevin’s run-in with the doe last year along highway 171, but thankfully none in sight, and I said lightening usually doesn’t strike in the same spot twice. Hah! Honestly we were extra mindful and on alert the whole trip.
We seen some breathtaking views when were up on the higher elevations along the way to Prairie du Chein, which Kevin captured below. When we arrived to the bridge crossing the Old Miss in Prairie the road was closed and Kevin said he was certain he double-checked that the bridge was open, as some across the Miss have been closed. So, we popped into the gas station near by and while he was looking at his map apps on his phone, I went in and asked the clerk. She told me we just needed to head a bit south and then west, to connect to another road north to the bridge and that they had the eastbound lanes open for getting across traveling west. Sure enough, and luckily for us!
We passed the same pink elephant which we did on our trip in 2014 to St. Louis on the Iowa side near McGregor (photo below). And then through McGregor which has become quite the touristy town, before making our way to Pikes Peak overlook just south of McGregor. I cannot remember what time it was when we arrived, but it was before noon and not very busy.
This was my first time there, which is why I really wanted to get there, and oh boy what a truly breathtaking gorge, where the Wisconsin River also meets the Mississippi River. We took lots of photos and walked around a bit before heading out.
Next stop: Preston MN.
We drove for quite a while north before entering into Minnesota, and took a pit stop for me to get in a stretch and also some water at a Lutheran Church which was also a historical marker. Actually that may have still been Iowa. From there we did not stop until making it to Preston and this was the first time I was seeing Candy’s permanent burial marker in-person. We placed our pennies on their gravestones and I said some prayers before leaving, while 8 or 11 bombers flew near by. Ah, pretty sweet!
We stopped at the Casey’s in Preston to fuel up before heading to La Crosse, and Kevin took us on some highways and roads I’ve never been on before up to Rushford, where we stopped at The Creamery for icecream (well that was also our lunch). I have always wanted to stop there when I would take Candy to Dad’s grave before she passed away, but she never was interested. Well, now I can say I have been there!
From there we made the rest of our journey to La Crosse and our hotel wasn’t far from the bridge. We ended up using the hot tub and pool after arriving although we were pretty warm when we arrived, and after that we walked down the street to Moxie’s at the AmericInn hotel for some dinner. What a really cool place in the back of the hotel along the Miss, with a tiki bar, beach area, a band and an open-air restaurant, and the food was excellent! I had duck wontons. Yum, yum.
229 miles today.
