Day 4 RAGBRAI

Ames to State Center 28.5 miles
Sleepover in Tama/Toledo

Today was a very big day. We experienced soooo much!
Started the day nice and early, there was a lot of bike traffic out of Ames this morning. It is so much fun to be right in the thick of it all. So much energy.

We stopped for a yummy pancake breakfast at the Firehouse in Nevada.

I got to demo a smokin' hot full carbon 2009 Giant Defy Advanced bike today, brand new, can't even buy it in the stores yet. I swear this thing was the most amazing thing ever. It was seriously like I was just riding on air. So light and so comfortable. I was totally bummed at the end of the ride that I had to give it back. I think I could have ridden all day on that baby. Anyone have 3 Grand I can borrow?

In the very CENTER of Iowa.....well at least for today! :)

I sooooo wanted to check out this store in State Center. Doesn't it look fun?

Now how cute is that? They were a little disturbed to hear that we had been eating these all week...the big ones of course.
SERIOUS slip-n-slide time!!
Another RAGBRAI Virgin...apparently this one likes boobies??

The kids took a little time to pet the horses at a Farm/Lemonade Stand. :)

There is a tractor to climb in everysingle town we pass through. They tie a think metal rope between two tractors for everyone to park their bikes on. Pretty ingenious and so much fun for the kids!

Ooooooh Team Bad Boy. A legend. They carry these contraptions across Iowa every year...serving up drinks on their portable mini bar, grilling on their portable grill and I am not even sure what is in that giant cooler...woofers maybe?

The kids got to meet Old Abe in Nevada. Oh and I think we were riding on the Lincoln Hwy. Get it?

After riding we found the pool in Tama or Toledo , it was a really cool one. I was so proud of Gabby, she hopped right on that bad boy of a water slide like a natural. Gavin was devastated because he wasn't quite tall enough to go on the big slides. I was so sad for him. The last town had the exact same slides without the restrictions, so that was cool.

Sigh...a relaxing end to a very busy day!