Day 43 to Kearney, Nebraska
Mon 22 July 2024
Distance traveled: 513 miles
Early wake up, more awful fog on MN 60/Iowa 60, got hailed on (ow) and diverted around that storm, then just Go West.
Riding. That was today. First couple hours after sunrise were foggy, dense fog, along highway 60 into Sioux City, Iowa. That was a good 4 lane divided highway with almost no traffic... avoiding the trucks on both I-35 and I-80 was worth it. Passed the highest point in Iowa, all of some 1510 feet in elevation, and watched the countryside change from rollingish hills to flatter landscapes, and the trees change from oaks answered uconifers to just oaks and then some cottonwoods as I approached Omaha.
Omaha felt bigger than expected, skyscrapers and all, but far bigger behind the downtown was a big black ugly thudercloud, and as I curved around the city to the northwest on I-680 I got hailed on for a hot minute and said "NO" and got off at Maple Road because I saw sunlight over there. Seriously. A few miles later I saw a sign for Target and thought "I could always shop while I wait out the storm", but the rain was already heading away to the southeast so I just picked up some apples and Gatorade and Tums, since I'm outta all three.
Onto Lincoln and I had to stop at Zipline because their red T-Shirt that Chris got me in 2014 (!) is on my body at least once a week. They're out of T-shirts, but I did have a decent cheesesteak and water, and a free tiny taster of their Green something IPA which was refreshing.
I asked the body how much more it had and it said "a couple hours" and booked a room in Kearny, knowing it'll be a long day, but there's not much to see around--though I'm halfway across Nebraska and it's still green and lush cornfileds. Once again I'm surprised... when does Nebraska start looking like the tawny grasslands like around the Denver Airport?
Tomorrow it's a six hour ride or so into Denver. That's a good amount to ride--start early, avoid the afternoon thunderstorms, and catch up with Craig and Joe. Plus a bonus hour for changing timezones!