Tuesday-Wednesday July 13-14, 2004

Newton Iowa to Des Moines

Tuesday was the first scorcher I encountered in Iowa. It hit 90 and there were some long sunny stretches with few trees. Fortunately I was prepared. I wore my big wide straw hat (what a great invention, what will they think of next) and long running pants. Essentially I was in the shade all day. Of course, I looked wierd, but it worked so I wore the same getup again today.

It was neat watching the guys pull up thinking I was a woman walking on the road, then speed off when they caught a look at my face. Oh well. I guess I'll never make it as a Marilyn Monroe look-alike.

Even with he straw hat, I was beginning to wilt by about mile 17 Tuesday. The heat and the hills - there were lots of them - took their toll.

Wednesday was much better, temperature-wise. I walked through a commercial stretch with the usual chain stores and minimals. But at least Altoona had the foresight to put in sidewalks along most of the road.

Reached Des Moines on Wednesday, but didn't make it as far as I hoped. Spent a long time talking with a 92-year-old guy selling corn from the back of his rusted pick-up truck. Yes, he still drives. You'll have to read Sunday's story to get his tips for a long life.

Also had some really good shaved ice. Seems like Des Moines has corn stands and shaved ice stands on every other corner, kind of like pretzel venders in New York, I'd say.

The corn was very good, by the way.

There's a place on the map called the Men's Garden Club just outside Des Moines. I'd like to see that.

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