We started off on the Heart of Iowa Trail again soon after a good, warm coffee, tortillas, bananas and muffins. Paula brought this with a smile (and with the help of Jorge) to our tent this morning. Thank you!!
We had our first "obstacle" as we tried to leave Cambridge OH. The operator apologised as we cycled past a good gap behind his lowbed. He delivered an excavator to the farm behind the trees on the left.
We crossed under the Interstate 35. Great going if I think back how tired we were when we crossed the I-95 in Maryland. That was some time ago.
An interesting old wooden bridge.
This Trail gave us good views of Iowa. You can see quite far in some places.
I had to take a rest on this trailside bench.The cottonwoods provided great shade and there are so many birds.
We soon came to the end of the Heart of Ohio Trail at Slater. It left us with mixed feelings. The first part around Rhodes was really not for bicycles and the bypasses (or connecting loops between usable sections of trail) were nonexistant. As we came closer to Slater the trail improved and the last part was wide, smooth concrete pavement.
At Slater, the Heart of Iowa Trail (on the left) connects to the High Trestle Trail (on the right).
I enjoyed this signpost. We came from the bottom left and will cycle towards Woodward on the bottom right.
We were now on the High Trestle Trail, a very well-known trail for the Bridge across the Des Moine River.
But, first, we had to enjoy the Prairie flowers.
We passed several small towns along the way. You can see how the corn farmers benefited from the rail line. There are grain elevators at each town. Most of these are still in use, but are now served by road.
We soon passed the Town of Madrid and noted the mural in this underpass.
The High Trestle Bridge is something to see. When the railways abandoned this route they took off the deck beams for another river crossing. The Trail developers had to wait for quite some time before they were able to get the funding to build a new deck and complete the Trail. They appointed a designer who did an incredible job.
A view across the bridge.
A view upstream.
A view to give an idea of the 130 feet height
Christine enjoying the crossing.
And the intrepid explorers showing their happiness to have made it so far already.
Another view of the bridge. Apparently it is lighted at night and this provides great viewing opportunities as well.
We left the Bridge happy, as we also met up with our three friends again. We soon reached the end of the High Trestle Trail at Woodward and stopped for a great lunch at Cayanne's.
The connector trail between Woodward and Perry is incomplete and we enjoyed the flowers
but not these signs,
the trees and the serenity, but
not the deviations onto the road.
However, these two horses told us we reached Perry
where the Bike Shop, in the building next to this arcade, was closed. It seems to open twice a week now.
At Perry we picked up the Raccoon River Valley Trail. I liked the concrete flower basket next to the trail and the Perry Info Center on the other side of the road.
I appreciated these signs showing the extent of the Raccoon River Valley Trail System at all stops, etc. It helped a lot to orient progress, etc.
At Perry the season has not really started yet. The market stalls and the trailside cafe were all closed.
However, soon after we left Perry we crossed this long trestle where
only one of the two abandoned rail tracks was converted into the trail.
We continued to be amazed at the tranquility, the beauty of nature and the great riding surfaces. We were making good time on this smooth concrete pavement.
Just before Dawson we met our three trailfriends again, probably for the last time, as we would split routes soon thereafter.
At Dawson we stopped for a breather at the renovated station building. The Trail Supporting Committee did a great job to retain one part as a rail museum and to have an open space with restrooms in the other part.
On our way to Jamaica we continued to enjoy the countryside.
At Jamaica we wanted an icecream and stopped at a store called, Just 1 More. 
We had to take photos as well. When we entered the store, it was a pub. So, we opted for locally made lemonade and two packets of chips. The bar tender gave us advice on what we would find as we cycle on. The friendliness continues.
At Herndon we turned south to Panora, our planned stop for the evening.
The first part of the trail was old asphalt with very large cracks. We bounced around quite a bit.
At Yale the trail improved
and we continued along this green corridor with its many trees and wildlife.
At Panora we passed this Heritage Park on our way to
a beautiful camp site in the Lennon Mill Park next to the Middle Raccoon River.
We did very well in terms of progress, having done about 57 miles. However, this was also a great sightseeing day and a day we shall remember. 
I remember the flatness of Iowa from when I visited my friend Randy in Mason City in 1980. And I love the photos of that cool High Trestle Bridge. Wow! Bless you both and keep the faith as you keep on truckin'! - Jim
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