Minnesota, Iowa and a Face Plant (IA) – 08 August 18

We let the boys have another sleep in this morning. They are having long days, plus the extra peace and quiet in the morning is priceless…

All packed, with a short run around the campground, we left the RV Park at 9 am.

Back past the cute farms set amongst the prairies and back to Sioux Falls, to continue our journey east.

Across the border and into Minnesota.

Corn, corn, corn and the occasional cow.

Back along the busy Interstate 90 East, where we saw a helicopter hovering above while a maintenance worker was attached, fixing the power line. I missed the photo but the sight was incredible.

Past more cute farmhouses, wind generators and even a cycle path that went for miles.

Corn, corn, corn…

Along the Shooting Star Scenic Byway and past small farming towns such as Adams (Pride of the Prairie) and Le Roy.

Then we crossed into Iowa.

The time was now approaching late afternoon and we had not yet found a campsite for the night.

We stopped in at the historic town of Cresco and the boys had a play on the old heritage train at Beadle Park, while Pete explored the visitor’s center looking for campsite suggestions.

Success, the Howard County Conservation Dept. Campground, about 2 miles down the road.

The campsite was gorgeous and deserted. For $25 we get a site with power and water, practically to ourselves… perfect. Plus, there was a cycling trail connected straight into downtown Cresco.

We set up camp and hopped on our bikes. The trail was magically set amongst the trees, farmhouses, rolling hills and cornfields.

We had a stroll around the historic town, admiring the street art and then found a local Mexican restaurant for dinner.

Time to return via the trail to our campsite. The ride was going perfectly until all of a sudden, at the bottom of a steep hill, Noah got the wobbles and face planted into the track.

Luckily he had his helmet on. There were no bones or teeth broken but he had grazed a fair portion of this face and body and was in a bit of shock.

We wheeled his bike back to the RV and settled him on the couch to recover. Poor little thing, he is going to have a sore head and a fat lip for a few days.