Raccoon River Valley Trail

Arriving Perry, Iowa—Tomorrow We Ride

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Hi Friends!

Arrived Perry Iowa
At Pattee Hotel, old, refurbished, charming.
Public Library directly across street.
Found photo-op with two young bikers.

Tomorrow we ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

Drove out to see High Trestle Bridge.
Went at dusk.
Nighttime glory of High Bridge,
Blue LED lights outlining
Rectangular shapes.
Take an internet look at Iowa High Trestle Bridge.
Beautiful blue lighting.

Walked mile from parking place,
Edge of excellent, cement trail.
Twilight, with creeping darkness.
Passed by several bikes with lights.

Rider on three-wheel recumbent
Slowed, staying with us
Talking, telling history of original bridge
Story of current bridge.
True supporter of excellent trail with amazing bridge.

Stories of problems arising now:
Bikers riding in dark colliding with deer.
Bikers having made long stops at bars along trail
Causing drunk driver accidents on trail.

Regulations and arrangements
To be worked out for keeping amazing
Bridge lighted, open, and accessible.

Bob and I walking back in complete darkness,
Different three-wheel recumbent rider
Offered to ride with us
Keeping us in circle of his light,
Avoiding other cyclists and wildlife.

Such nice folks we met!
Information and safety,
How lucky for us.

“Connect with Others,” my 3^rd Key for
Saying “Yes!” to bigger things!

Hugs to each of you,
Lin

P.S. Including a few photos from the AORN Event last Monday—kindly provided by Rorie Chinnock. (Great event!)

Wonderful room of Operating Room Nurses gathering to hear my talk as Continuing Education on Life Balance and Personal Growth.

My delightful audience at AORN (Association of Operating Room Nurses) at Children's in Mpls.

Group photo with some of these terrific nurses

Hotel Pattee behind Bob: in Perry, Iowa

Photo-op at Perry Public Library with fellow bikers Jordan and Natalie

Ten-Foot-Tall Lit Sculpture at Start of Raccoon River Valley Trail

Distant View of high trestle bridge as we walked on trail

Between Lynette Marks, nurse at Northfield Hospital, and Rorie Chinnock, event coordinator (plus!) for AORN.

Speaking to AORN

Lin Bruce

Lin McLaughlin Bruce uses stories of her cross-country bicycle adventures post age 60 to inspire and encourage people to reach beyond perceived limitations. In her words, "It's never too late to say 'yes' to bigger things!"

Peggy. Prowe - September 17, 2017

High Trestle bridge on the Racoon River Trail was the last ride Diet and I took together, a memorable evening. We stayed at Two Bears B&B nearby. After their children grew up, the couple in a huge log cabin house decided to run a B&B, expecting to attract visitors of residents in a nearby rest home. And then the Trail opened up – continuous flow of couples for their three rooms. I’m so glad you shared this one.