044: Day 55: June 2: Panora to Atlantic IA: 53.5 miles today and 1806 in total (m90.0)

Today we did a lot of road cycling, but all went well. We did 53.5 miles to Atlantic including about 18 miles on the T-Bone Trail. 

This was the view of the Middle Raccoon River from our camp site at Panora this morning.

And this was sunset last night.

On the way into town we cycled past the Guthrie County Historical Park with this replica of a Panora rail station scene.

Crafty's Coffee in Panora had great coffee and mouthwatering fresh scones. We sat down at their sidewalk table, ate the first ones and promptly went back for two more. 

Great job, Crafty's!!!!!

We enjoyed this view across the street. We were happy to see the ongoing upgrading.

We cycled along SR44, Iowa's Western Skies Scenic Byway. We thoroughly enjoyed the countryside. It must be because the rolling hills were gentle and the traffic low and accommodating. 

We cycled through Grundy Center where the icecream store was still closed.

We were very happy to see this road sign. It reminded us of our progress but, sadly, also that we are so much closer to the end. We had such a lovely time up to now. We almost felt that this should not end.

The countryside is beautiful. We enjoyed the downhills as well. 

We linked up with the T-Bone Trail at Hamlin and turned south towards Atlantic.

We passed many grain elevators, somehow showing us the importance of grain production in this part of the country. You somehow understand the garden signs as well - the last one was against wind power. It must be that the owner is supporting the production of ethanol from corn. (This is I speculating, so, I may be wrong again. Should have stopped to ask.)

Christine was so happy that we were back on a beautiful trail. 🤩🤩🤩

We were quite unhappy to see it end after a couple of miles.

And then we noted that the washed away rail tresle have been made part of the experience. The section of rail line up to the right hand side abutment was left, a trail bypass was built, using a nearby bridge to cross the creek,and the left hand side abutment was rebuilt into a lookout point. 

The view from the lookout point.

And the view from the lookout point in the direction we were going. This rest spot must be revisited again.

I was very happy to see the sheep farmer at this farmstead. Now we can eat more lamb.😀😀

We passed the Town of Exira and were soon back in a beautiful forest along the trail.

The trestle across the East Nishnabotna River showed off the river quite nicely.

We saw a couple of Deer and hundreds of Chipmunks along this stretch.

We came to a spot where a recent flood washed away a section of the trail. It is interesting how different people see different things. 

I immediately took a photo from one end of the washed away section to the other to show how this river bank was repaired witha slight kink in the trail. The trail goes back into the woods in almost a straight line.

While Christine took the same but from a totally different angle. I love being with Christine.

Closer to Atlantic the tree-lined trail sometimes opens up completely. We were happy to see that these open sections were actively used as protected growth areas for Prairie Grass and flowers.

Well, the trail soon ended in a field and guess what? We were back on a gravel road.

We pushed to the top of a hill and passed

this historical marker.

And then we went down again. It is not easy to go downhill on gravel roads. The loose stones tend to throw the wheels sideways and therefore we go slowly.

Before Atlantic Chrisitne found this "bonus" trail around a large sports complex - saved us about one mile of gravel road.

We bought some hot food at a Mexican Restaurant in Atlantic and sat down for a hearty meal as soon as we reached our campsite in the Sunnyside Park Campground, a small part of the larger agricultural showgrounds of Atlantic.