Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge - High Wind Warning! That's an understatement!
After our Saturday night in Ames, on Sunday we planned to drive back via Omaha and knock out two more states on our list by riding trails in both Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa, by crossing the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge over the Missouri River.
We awakened and turned on the weather to find High Wind warnings. They were not kidding. The drive over on I-80 required 2 hands on the wheel at all times or we might just have ended up in Winnipeg!
First up as we were driving south from Ames on I-35 we passed through Ankeny, Iowa, which is the southernmost trailhead of the High Trestle Trail. So we pulled off the highway and drove over to check out the trail head. With the high winds we knew this was not the trail for us on this day! Interestingly enough we passed this 'Bike Country' bike shop on our way to the trailhead so we had to take a picture!
Cool Bike Art at the High Trestle Trailhead in Ankeny, Iowa
On this Windy day there was one Brave soul in the parking lot who gave it a try!
I am guessing the Adair Wind Farm that we passed was at peak output on Sunday.
Rest stop along I-80 near the Wind farm.
Have you ever wondered what they would look like after a Tornado? :)
Little did we know they would answer our question of what one of those windmills would look like if hit by a tornado, they disguised it as Road Art as we entered Council Bluffs Iowa!
On this day the Good Life was under attack by WIND!
Some goofball standing in front of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge... Notice the lack of People on it...
That is because on this day you had to JUST KEEP PEDALING or you would be blown over the side of the bridge into the river!
You usually don't expect to see whitecap waves on a River! Especially headed UPRIVER!
State line.
On the Iowa part of the bridge, looking toward Council Bluffs
Standing in Tom McCall Riverfront Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa
with the Omaha, Nebraska skyline behind us.
Sometimes you just gotta take the stairs.
Standing in two states.
On the drive home we stopped for dinner in Nebraska City at this
combination Orscheln Farm and Home/Taco John's/Dairy Queen.
That's multitasking at its finest, folks. :)
All in all we had a fun weekend! Ready to do it again anytime you are Sweetie!
Another good report. I am an Iowan who goes to Kansas often. I like your thoughts on the Council Bluffs' roadside art. It brings the Don Quixote story to my mind. My wife and I have enjoyed many of the Iowa trails, including these two, but high wind on the bridge is not what I would enjoy. Thanks again. Happy trails to you.
Thanks for your kind words and for reading our ramblings. Glad someone finds it entertaining! We will be heading to Iowa in a few weeks to ride the Lamoni recreational trail, the Great Western, and the High Trestle, including a full moon night ride across the bridge. Really looking forward to it!
That bike sculpture is cool! I don't like biking in the wind at all. I can take the cold, but not the wind.
ReplyDeleteToo bad you missed out on the High Trestle but I can't imagine being on it in the wind. Maybe next time you can time it where your there at night.
ReplyDeleteYes we hope to ride the High Trestle another day when the wind is a little less motivated!
DeleteAnother good report. I am an Iowan who goes to Kansas often. I like your thoughts on the Council Bluffs' roadside art. It brings the Don Quixote story to my mind. My wife and I have enjoyed many of the Iowa trails, including these two, but high wind on the bridge is not what I would enjoy. Thanks again. Happy trails to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words and for reading our ramblings. Glad someone finds it entertaining! We will be heading to Iowa in a few weeks to ride the Lamoni recreational trail, the Great Western, and the High Trestle, including a full moon night ride across the bridge. Really looking forward to it!
Delete