Gorgeous, crystal clear (no humidity), cloudless and cool (65°) morning as we pedaled into the quaint and clean downtown of DeWitt for a real breakfast.

 A Happy Birthday shout out to Austin from the Iowa State swim team we met a breakfast!

Eager to be off the busy highway, we traded rolling trucks for rolling hills of the peaceful and beautiful countryside.  The slight north breeze and little traffic made sightseeing more enjoyable.  Soybean and cornfields abound and still we wonder how it all gets consumed.

Crossing the wide Mississippi River on a narrow bridge with no shoulderwas daunting, but once again, drivers proved polite and respectful of our space.  Once in the land of Lincoln, we rejoined the highway and tractor trailer traffic that coursed through the small towns.  After 35 miles, we took a saddle and drink break in one of the towns and tried to find a route we did not have to share with the trucks.    Once back on the bike, it was not far when we found a country road that looked perfect.  Though it was not the most direct route or always paved, we were able to relax and enjoy the cool afternoon and the fluffy clouds that filled the sky.  Rejoined the highway to cross the Rock River and head into town.  Breakfast had been filling, but we needed a bite to eat to hold us until dinner; DQ was the first thing we came to…:-). A couple more miles down the road we checked in to a hotel with an in-house restaurant; looking forward to it!

Dinner did not disappoint either, steak and eggs (beefsteak a caballo en espanol) especially after 55 miles.