RAGBRAI is going through Creston!

It's about time. The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) is going through Creston in 2016. It's number IXIV. I know - I didn't know what that Roman number meant until I went back and looked up the list and figured it out! That means 44. The last time they came through was XXIV, I believe - so it was twenty years ago.

Paul and I were children then! Okay, not quite - but we weren't yet forty years old. That qualifies in my book. We lived in our first home on the corner of Walnut and Prairie Streets in town. Once the route was announced, our rooms and yard were booked quickly by Goldsmith relatives. Paul sister Jean, husband Dave and their daughter Peg called to say they were coming, along with his sister Carol. I think Carol's daughter Barb was there too. We also volunteered to park an RV of Californians (they were kinda snooty) in the yard.

When RAGBRAI came to Creston last time, the whole town was abuzz with the preparations. Creston, a town of just over 8,000 people would be taken over by 10,000 plus sweaty people on wheels. They would be hungry and thirsty, some very thirsty if you know what I mean. They would camp in the parks and stay with volunteer residents - in their homes and yards. There were port-o-potties and waste disposal to arrange (notice I think of this stuff first), food/drink and entertainment to put together. It's a big undertaking for communities.

Our Catholic School, St. Malachy planned to help feed tired sweaty bikers by hosting a Spaghetti Supper. Like most parochial schools, big financial needs, always looking for ways to raise money. As parents of students and active supporters of the school, Paul and I helped plan the big event and worked that evening.

The day the riders rolled into Creston was hot. Some bikers got there early. (The A student over-achievers). Others wheeled in throughout the day - including Paul's family. The parties began. By the end of the day, all towels at the Goldsmith abode were wet. Paul and I worked our shift at the Spaghetti Supper - people were lined up down the block to get those carbs. Later there was a street dance by the Elks Club. The lore is that the people who partied in Prescott, the town before you get to Creston, got pretty wild. There were rumors of naked super sliding and swimming in a pond.

Our niece Peg stopped at the Gummi Bear plant outlet and shipped a case of the gooey candy back to NYC to pass out to kids when she got home. Others took candy along with them as they rode out of town - on through Winterset to DSM. Creston did itself proud that day. It will again in 2016! Bring on the traveling city on wheels.

My honey likes RAGBRAI riding. I prefer riding with fewer friends

Hey La Hey La my baby's back

We picked her up at the Des Moines airport Monday about noon. It was a great feeling to get my arms around her again. Amy had been gone over 5 weeks on her trip to South and Central America. So glad to have her back safe and sound!

In the small DM Airport she ran into some Denver friends - they'd been home with their new baby. And we was Mary Faber there dropping off her sis-in-law Mary McCann, who had been back seeing CHS classmates and family. It was nice to finally meet the woman we'd heard so much about!

We stopped at Court Avenue Brewpub for a bit of lunch before we went home. Odie was overjoyed to see her Sissy (that's what she thinks Amy's name is - and Odie's feeling much better!). We got to hear some of her travel tales, but feel like I still haven't heard much of the story. She needed to get her photo chip from her friend Rachelle before she could upload all her pics. That night we shopped a bit, and even bought her running shoes and a Cyclone pullover - since we didn't have to fork over any ransom $ to get her home!



Strange RAGBRAI happenings - a guy brings his monkey to entertain...

Tuesday, she and Paul rode Iowa's bike ride across Iowa for a day - a/k/a RAGBRAI - from Perry to Des Moines. It was 48 miles. A couple guys Paul knows from Red Oak rode in with them. Paul has ridden all across the state before - when he was younger, but Amy hadn't. Plus she hadn't trained at all. I let her ride my bike Albie. And I worked. Sigh. But I don't wish to ride bikes with 30,000 (bigger than most towns they stop overnight at) people, standing in lines for food and pottys.

Paul and work buddies - yes he even has Cyclone bike shorts...

That night we drove down to downtown DSM for the big party that goes along with the traveling bike ride. It was the most gorgeous evening of the summer. We drank a beer, ate a sandwich and listened to a 90's band on the Court Avenue Bridge. We ran into my Atlantic matey, Marci Merrick (now Hinners) and her husband Jim - fun to catch up with her! Amy's pal Rachelle and another friend met us, but we retired early as we all had to get up early, so we headed home by 8:30 a.m. I'm sleeping easier these days - now that my baby is back and Jud is safe and sound in St. Joe.

Tuesday night pics


Rachelle and Amy
 

Looking south

Vendor tents set up

Bike valet parking