We did it!!!!!

The longest, hilliest day is done. Between the 82.9-mile route and schlepping back and forth to motels at each end, we figure we did about 90 miles today. And it really was hilly. Carol came up with a new motto for Iowa: The place where every town has a hill entering it and leaving it. It took us about 10 hours, with lots of water stops and lunch along the way. But neither of us walked a single hill. Woo-hoo!
Thank goodness we had some cloud cover for most of the day. And the views from the ridges of the Loess Hills (yes, there are officially named hills in Iowa) were pretty spectacular. But you could hardly even enjoy coasting the downhills because there was always another big hill directly ahead.
Seen and heard on the road:
From a philosopher rider who was nearing the top of a hill: "Pain is the weakness leaving your body."
From a rider pedaling up a hill while talking on a cell phone (they should be banned while riding): "Got to go. I'm on a hill. I can't talk and breathe at the same time!"
There are signs posted along the way, mostly for food, but also a few that are posted at intervals to be read in sequence, like the old Burma Shave signs. A set today (politics is always a topic of attention in Iowa):
Time for a change
Let's shift gears
Elect the guy
With the big ears!
(From the Obama '08 campaign)
A few low-lights: Carol did a slow-motion fall. Tire twisted in dirt as she pulled to a stop off the road and couldn't get a sandal out of the clips. So, there's a boo-boo on one elbow and a little road rash on a leg. (But mostly it hurt her pride!) And there was a snafu with the luggage. But a helpful courier took care of it, so we're grateful.
We're a little sore in places we won't mention, but are looking forward to a short day with few hills (although one looks like a killer by the climb charts) and a concert in Ames Tuesday night.