Flexibility Yields "BIG" Week

Last week was a "big" week in our quest to Pedal the Parks! We planned to complete five (5) parks in Southeast Iowa, but finished by completing all fourteen (14) of the remaining State Parks in Eastern Iowa.  The push resulted in many miles longed in the van, an unplanned stay in a motel, and a special trip to Walmart to pick-up toiletries and a change of clothes.  Overall it saved miles, since we eliminated the need to make three (3) trips to complete these rides.

The second park of the week, Sharon Bluffs in Centerville, proved to be the worst riding park of this adventure.  The road was not only covered by "bad" gravel, but it had many pot holes, large washouts, and was quite hilly.  Finishing this mile was a welcomed conclusion.

At Honey Creek in Moravia, we witnessed several stalking turkey vultures, waiting for me to crash.  Fortunately, the rode was smooth and wide, and I disappointed them.

Woodthrush State Park in Lockridge turned out to be a land preserve with NO roads.  A substitute mile was ridden at Lake Darling. The land preserve was great for viewing wild flowers, but not much good for riding a unicycle or a trike.  And there was NO sign.

Bellevue State Park was located on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.  It was a beautiful park with long, steep hills.  We managed to find a somewhat flat surface on the top of the bluff however, where the mile ride was completed.

Maquoketa Cave State Park was loaded with "spelunkers," exploring the many caves and passageways.   

Wapsipinicon State Park was partially closed due to recent flooding.  Many trees were uprooted, and the roads were impassable.  Our ride took place in the camping area, which was open, but housed few campers.

Overall, it was a very successful week of "pedaling the parks."   We visited with many people familiar with Meniere's Disease and its devastating effects on peoples lives.  We also met many people who claimed to have owned a unicycle at some time in their lives, but none were willing to demonstrate their ability to ride one.

The completion, of these fourteen (14) parks, brings the total to seventy-five (75).  Only twenty (20) more to go, but still plenty of time to donate and bring awareness to Meniere's Disease. Please join our cause at www.givetoiowa.org/burkey

Drakesville, Iowa

Self explanatory

Centerville, Iowa  "The Worst Riding Roads"

Moravia, Iowa

Vultures waiting for "Road Kill"

Aerobics in Motion

Keosauqua, Iowa

Turning has gotten easier!!!

Danville, Iowa

Photographing the Photographer

Oakland Mills, Iowa

Riding Right!!!!

Damn Bugs!!!

Brighton, Iowa  Two (2) Miles Done Here

Muscatine, Iowa

Bellevue, Iowa

Beautiful Park

Overlooking the Mississippi River - Bellevue, Iowa

Maquoketa, Iowa

Anamosa, Iowa

Negotiating a Turn

Mount Vernon, Iowa

Solon, Iowa

Seven-up, Mosquitos, and Rain

It has been almost a month since I last "Pedaled a Park."  The weekend of July 12th and 13th has put us back on track in this "fund raising" quest.  Saturday, July 12th, we upped the record for parks ridden in a single day to seven (7).  It was also the first day that we have had to ride in the rain, and the first time we endured swarms and swarms of mosquitos.

The seven (7) parks were located in North Central Iowa.  We used Clear Lake as a hub location, and ventured out from there.  We still managed to drive 674 miles reaching our destinations, and spent two (2) enjoyable nights in our camper.

Three of the parks had gravel roads, and two (2) of these would be considered "bad" gravel.  Four (4) of the parks were ridden in the rain, which presented a "new" challenge for remaining upright on a unicycle.  One (1) park was a swamp with no roads, so a substitute mile was ridden in McIntosh State Park.  And, all the parks had tons of mosquitos.  We stopped at five (5) different stores to buy insect repellent before we found any.  Apparently, the wet weather has produced an abundance of the "no-see-ums" and the repellent business is booming.  They were not shy about taking up residency in our van either.  Every time we opened a door or window, they welcomed the opportunity to invade.

Riding seven (7) miles on a unicycle, in one (1) day, was quite a challenge.  Muscles were sore, but the satisfaction of completing the rides, made it all worthwhile. 

Sunday, July13th, we rode another five (5) parks.  Only one (1) of these parks was planned to be ridden, but since we were in the area, we extended our plan.  It was a beautiful day and we were on a roll, so we added a few more hours of "windshield" time, and increased our number of completed parks to sixty-one (61).  Being nearly two-thirds done is inspiring.

Many of these parks do not display the official State Park sign.  For one reason or another, they have chosen to change these graphics.  They are still noted, in some official listings, as State Parks.  Because of this, I have chosen to ride these parks, and count them as official.

Donations continue to come in, but we would like to see more participation.  It is easy to donate by accessing the online website at www.givetoiowa.org/burkey   Thanks much for the support.



   Floyd, Iowa

 

A good part of the "BAD" gravel

Little Cedar, Iowa

Really "BAD" gravel and rain too

Lake Mills, Iowa

The rain is getting serious!!!!

Forest City, Iowa

Crystal Lake, Iowa

Now this is something to fish for!!!

Rain and wet roads are great for traction!!

A real State Park sign

But why????  This is a swamp!!!!

Clear Lake, Iowa

Algona, Iowa

Emmetsburg, Iowa

Also listed as State Park, not sure why????

Stinson's substitute park with "head" photographer and mileage logger

Most docks had flags displayed

Ruthven, Iowa

Halfway Milestone

It has been almost three (3) weeks since I have ridden my unicycle. Vacation, a family reunion, and work have prevented me from my "Pedal the Parks" progress.  The last four (4) parks were ridden on our way to South Dakota for our vacation.  All aspects of the vacation were great, even the weather.  Many stories were told, many meals were shared, many games of cribbage were played, many drinks were consumed, and much support was displayed for Patty and my mission for Meniere's research.  We were also able to ride the unicycle in our "first" National Park, bicycle on much of the Mickelson Trail, hike a couple of nice peaks in the Black Hills, and visit many tourist attractions.

The 46th park was ridden in Frank Gotch State Park in Humboldt, Iowa.  It was a nice paved roadway and presented few challenges. 

The 47th park, Wanata State Park, had a few challenges.  The park was very small and had NO paved roads.  I managed to record a mile by riding on the "bad" gravel road and accessing a city street that bordered the park.

The next park that we attempted to ride was Indian Village, in Sutherland Iowa.  Although it is on my list of State Parks, it no longer exists. Years ago, the land was sold to an individual, and it has been transformed into a private residence.  Why it is still listed as a park, no one seems to know. A substitute park will be ridden, to keep my numbers accurate.

Park  #48, Mill Creek, had many challenges and became a milestone in our "Pedal the Parks" venture.  There was a trail around the park's lake, but it varied from "bad" asphalt, to dirt, to grass, to gravel.  None of these surfaces are kind to a unicyclist, regardless of age or talent.  But, since we were there, and we were on a mission, we proceeded to complete the task.  At the half mile point, Patty and I high-fived and celebrated.  We had now reached the half-way point of our challenge, 47.5 miles completed of the 95 miles committed.

The 49th park was ridden in Oak Grove State Park in Hawarden, Iowa.  The ride was completed, but not without a challenge.  Early in the ride, the saddle of my unicycle broke.  It did not prevent me from finishing the ride, but it presented some balancing issues that I had to overcome. 

While in South Dakota, I was able to acquire a new saddle and seat post.  I was also able to ride a mile in the Badlands National Park.  Although this is not part of our original challenge, it may present an avenue to continue our quest to raise money for Meniere's Research by "Pedaling the Parks."

Thanks much to all those who have contributed to our "Burkey's Vision of Hope" fund.  Please find it in your hearts to continue to do so. 



Humboldt, Iowa

LOOKS EASY???

Peterson, Iowa

This is a "good" section

Paulina, Iowa

Nice Path!!!!  Why am I doing this????

Head photographer at Half way Point 47.5 miles!!!   Please note the cheering crowds!

Trail goes from bad to worse!!!!

Hawarden, Iowa

South Dakota

Seems a bit chilly!!!!