Our Hero is not sad to leave Iowa behind. Despite a decent shoulder to ride on this final day in the state, he feels Iowa has been filled with the most inhospitable drivers he has EVER encountered to date! Over the last three days, he experienced drivers in the same lane as he was riding in, and probably 5% of them drove within one foot of the white lane line, even when there were two lanes and only a one-foot shoulder that contained fifteen-inch-wide rumble strips for him to try to safely travel in. Maybe they weren’t paying attention, but at least two of them did it intentionally and flipped him off as they went by. Despicable, and an example of the hate and inexcusable evil filling this country.
Iowa, you get Art’s grade of “Inhospitable Stamp of Disapproval!” He was so happy to leave this state today! However, he did make fifty and a half miles! He could have made more, but the stop today was intentional.
He did get to see this majestic sight, a hawk. Look at that beautiful sky behind it, making it even more beautiful:
And these three photos sum up what he saw in all of Iowa. I believe that’s a pond:
Of the entire state, Art said this was the best shoulder the whole time riding here:
And fields:
Now he crosses the Mighty Mississippi River:
Our Hero reached more historic sites, including this one, which is the location of a barracks well marking the first Fort Des Moines. It was used from September 25, 1834, through June 18, 1837, by a detachment of Dragoons. Dragoons were specially trained in both horseback and foot combat, and were used as escorts and protectors during the expansion of the West.
More about Fort Des Moines:
This plaque provided pioneer information connected with Fort Des Moines and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ crossing of the Mississippi River:
This next plaque contains information about the exodus of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois:
Entering Montrose and the route to Art’s destination for the day, the Keokuk-Hamilton Bridge.
Another photo of the bridge goal:
Of course, he made it there.
Our Hero did pass another monument that I’ll do my best to clearly show the signage surrounding the four sides. Here are the main photos and information:
The statue is a memorial to Keokuck, a Sauk chief, who was known for diplomacy with white settlers. He was born in 1788 and passed in April 1848.
On another side, it pays tribute to those who entered Iowa by way of the city of Keokuk, Iowa, and either settled or continued onward across the ‘well-worn’ path known as the Mormon Trail:
The next side was so difficult to read, I couldn’t sum it up. However, this last side contains a speech given by Chief Keokuck in 1812. He admonishes his people for their plans to flee the coming of the “Americans” and says:
I have heard with sorrow that you have determined to leave our village and cross the Mississippi merely because you have been told the Americans were coming in this direction. Would you leave our village, desert our homes, and fly before an enemy approaches? Would you leave all, even the graves of our fathers, to the mercy of the enemy without trying to defend them? Give me charge of your warriors, and I will defend the village while you sleep.
It was this speech that made him a warrior chief:
And finally, the sign that made Our Hero very happy:
But check out that white notice at the bottom about Cigarette Bootlegging! LOL.
Once again, let me remind you that Art and Cindy spent the day at Nauvoo, Illinois, a place of historical significance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormons, which, for the record, was a derogatory name given to the Saints based on The Book of Mormon. The latter is not a replacement for the Bible. LDS believe in both the Bible and The Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, which substantiates the legends of the Native Americans that Jesus Christ visited them in the Americas and taught them as he had those in Israel. There is fascinating history here and archeological evidence to back up the truths in the LDS faith.
Now, Art and Cindy are on their way to Kansas for a family reunion on Art’s side. They will be there for a week, so my posts will be based on what Jay and I are managing to do here in the Layton, Utah area.
Next Up: Day 55 – No Biking, but what are Jay and I up to?
On Hummingbirds Wings 