Wheatland, Iowa... Thank you to Pat Stewart!!

After our lunch in Cedar Rapids by the river Dave & Darrell got back on the bikes & started to head to Wheatland, Iowa.  Fred & Steph had "chores" to do, we did the laundry, the grocery shopping & found a Starbucks...  Steph said to Fred "Is this heaven?"  Fred said "Yes, Star-Bucks Heaven!"...  Then we were on our way to catch the guys in Wheatland. 



Little did Fred & Steph realize the guys were making some good time & got to Wheatland before us.  They had a warm welcome from Lowden & Wheatland with lights & sirens...  What a warm welcome they received & then when Fred & Steph showed up a rig met up with them & brought them in the town as well...  There was also the local news reporter, Katy, there to interview the guys so she could do a nice write up in the paper...  Thank you Katy!!

Virgil has served on the fire department for 45 years & is the mayor of Wheatland.  Between his brothers, son & nephews they have over 90 years of fire service...  What a great guy he is & Virgil we thank you for the your dedication to the fire service, your town & surrounding communities... 

Wheatland is a town of 700 folks & they have a great group of individuals that serve on the volunteer fire department.   They BBQ burgers & brats for us plus had homemade pies.  Once we all ate, got cleaned up they took us to their local bar that Mike owns & again a few more friends were formed...  Steph also enjoyed a new favorite drink of hers - I don't know the name but it has Jeremiah weed, lemonade & vodka - this one could be dangerous it is so delicious...  Darrell, Dave, Pat &  ? did waterski shots (4 people at once with Patron).  Then all of us together did the cherry shots that had Orange Crush & cherry liquor... These small towns really know how to party!! 

How will we ever forget Lonny & his wife, Lisa...  Plus we will never forget a song named "Alice"...  We could not leave the bar without Lonny singing the "chorus" of the song to us.  His recommendation is to go to a bar in NY & there is a bartender there named, Alice.  We believe the bar is called Steiners... Have you ever heard of this one?

We slept at the firehouse and about every 20 minutes the trains were go by... A loud whistle & then the constant song of the wheels chugging along (approximately 135 cars on this train each time)...  In the years gone by this building served as a hotel for guests that came off the train.  After that it was a brothel & feed store...  Steph just fell in love with this building & all the charachter it possess... 

We cannot end this post without thanking Pat...  You outdid yourselves for us & we are so grateful for your hospitality...  You have a wonderful family & town that you live in & serve...