Lowden, IA

 Easy day today, wind was at my back, and only had to do 31 miles to reach my destination.  Staying in a bed-and-breakfast; that's what I call roughin' it! Chose to do this because there are serious storms coming our way. Located halfway between Cedar Rapids and Clinton, this hotel was designed to accommodate automobile travel when it was built in 1915.  Lowden is situated next to the Yankee Run Stream.  It was the site of early wagon roads that ultimately became the site for the Chicago, Iowa, and Nebraska Railroad Co. back in 1857. Liz Norton, owner and proprietor, caters to the bicyclists that travel coast-to-coast on the Northern Tier.  I am, as I have been much of the trip, the first bicyclist of the season. My room is spacious, comfortable, and so inviting as it rains cats and dogs outside.

Lowden as the storm passes through. I do not believe my tent would have held up to this kind of rain! We have had perhaps 2 inches of rain in the last half-hour!  Thank you Liz for having an inn where I could stay when the storm hit.