Day 1 - Indianapolis, Indiana to Keokuk, Iowa. Miles today - 335 miles

The weather turned ugly.   Overnight, heavy rain fell during fairly strong thunderstorms.
Joe, David, Stu, Mike and Ron left Indianapolis, Indiana at 8:00 a.m. sharp,  in dense fog.

That overcast sky didn't appear to dampen the boys' spirits!

David gives the everything is a-okay sign.  Or, is that the bathroom break sign?  I can't remember.



Somebody said it, "When you cross the Mississippi River, you're finally getting somewhere."
Speaking of getting somewhere, if you'd like to view the route map click on the orange link on the main page of the blog.  You'll find it in the upper right hand corner just above the time counter!
Stu's daughter, Lindsey is helping with that.  Thank you Lindsey!







Corn and beans.  Beans and corn.
  No sooner than the boys left Indianapolis this is what they began to see.
This typified the scenery for most of the day.  







They estimate passing millions of acres of farm ground.
 






Silos, grain elevators and other farm related buildings cropped up occasionally.






Joe giving a friendly wave while riding along.



Welcome to Illinois!  Hey, what's over there?  Oh, just beans.

Stu, rooting around in the tour pack for something.  Hey!  Look!  That's Little Harry peeking over the suitcase.
Little Harry, all the way from Ireland!  We love that guy.

No wonder it took them so long to reach the Iowa State Line.  They were only going 35 mph.
 Ha, at that rate they could have walked to Iowa in the same amount of time.  Just kidding.

                             

                                                                                   

Everything is copacetic with Mikey.






The guys were officially welcomed to the state of Iowa by the people of Iowa.
It says so, right there on that sign.

 RP cruising along. 

Keokuk, Iowa - a good place to shut 'em down for the evening.
The boys rode a total of 335 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana to Keokuk, Iowa.
Not bad for the first day.

Evening in Indianapolis

Following the Redneck GPS allowed the guys to arrive at the hotel where they were spending the night

Mike, Joe and Ron made the trip to Indianapolis a little quicker than Stu and David did.
Apparently the hi-jinx has started already.  Stu reported that his room was 52 degrees and looked like a yard sale in progress.  These boys need chaperons!

Purely for medicinal purposes.  You know, to ward off Rheumatism.  Did someone mention chaperons?

Heading out to Ruth's Chris - downtown Indianapolis for dinner

Joe looks like he's "all in".
It was reported the meal was really good.

David seems to be enjoying that
Sweet Potato Casserole

Joe, David, Stu, Mike and Ron are ready to roll for the first official day of the
Iron Horse Alaskan Adventure!

Meanwhile in Omaha

Fred and Jack
Jack plays for the Jackson Gold Bears.
Fred reports that the baseball tournament is going very well.
The Gold Bears made it to the final round today.  Go Bears!  Congratulations and Good Luck!!

Post Game Report:  The Gold Bears lost 5 - 4 in the bottom of the last inning.  Sounds like a tough loss but a great game.  Good effort!