Ragbrai started out in Rock Valley. The setup started at the end of our
block, with the next block totally closed off for a concert later that night.
We could hear the concert going until at least 12am that night. I’m not positive,
but I thought I heard the singer yell out something about “10,000!” So maybe
that was how many people came through Rock Valley. That’s totally conjecture on
my part, but if true, much more than our town population!
We got prepped with our own biking supplies. We got a lot of use out of
this thing this summer. I’m ready for it to warm back up, so we can go out with
it again. If Olivia is fighting sleep, this is one sure way to accomplish that.
Every time she was in it, she succumbed.
We went out mid-afternoon about 2:00
before the crowd hit Rock Valley. Some preparation was still ongoing.
You know ragbrai has come to town when
all the way around one whole block are outhouses.
Later we went about 6:00pm, I think, and the road had been besieged by people walking and biking from one end of town to the other. They had the campground and baseball park set up for tenters and campers, and the school area set up for vendors. This was on the opposite side of town from the concert. So, many people were trekking back and forth. Pictures and video don’t do justice to the claustrophobia from all the people.
They even had helicopter rides going. Hmm
what’s there to see above Rock Valley? Oh, I know! Foreman’s Automotive and
Foreman’s Residence! Just what everyone wants to pay money to see!
This special occasion also warranted
getting out Olivia’s July 4th outfit again!
We
also had visitors come and walk down-town with us. Anyone else need close
parking?
