Picture of your Interstate

[Titus]

Didn't realize that Indianola still had a hot air balloon festival - thought it was moved to Albuquerque.

[nateallen80]

Originally Posted by Titus

Didn't realize that Indianola still had a hot air balloon festival - thought it was moved to Albuquerque.

Titus, when the national balloon championships moved, Indianola continued to have a festival every year during this week, its now called the National Balloon Classic. Seems like we usually have about 100 balloons that participate.

Because we have a lot of locals that balloon, you see balloons up fairly often all throughout the year around town.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by nateallen80

From my driveway this morning Attachment 348359

Very cool. Certainly not something you see everyday, hot-air balloons perfectly framed above your Interstate.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by riverdweller

Just a note to all, when traveling in Canada. Be certain when fueling your rig you are using the correct pump. For the most part Canadian pumps for diesel are yellow in color. However, this is not always the case as I learned in a moment of frustration and lack of attention. They have many colors, black, yellow, green, PAY ATTENTION!!! It’s an expensive mistake and Mercedes doesn’t even want you to start the vehicle. We lost 2 days of travel and paid dearly as we were 300 miles from the nearest Mercedes dealership. All in all life is good and no major damage, just my ego��

RIVERDWELLER - Sorry for the mishap. Coincidentally, TITUS hatched a thread about this exact issue. Glad no damage! At least you were in nice country with the bikes. I always look for an excuse to ride more (avid cyclist here)

NATEALLEN80 - Nice pics of balloon festival. Though that surprises me considering the entire state of Iowa still having thousands & swarms of cyclists for entire week of RAGBRAI. I thought they shut the whole state down for RAGBRAI ?

[nateallen80]

ALEX AVI - We’ve had a busy 2 weeks here. Indianola was an overnight stop for RAGBRAI, which sort of takes over everything for awhile, then the balloon festival started at the end of last week and went through last night. RAGBRAI does tend to take over the consciousness of the whole state, but our balloon festival really only impacts our town. We get lots of people that come in for one of the evening “shows” but nothing like the 40,000-50,000 people that RAGBRAI brought in.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by nateallen80

but nothing like the 40,000-50,000 people that RAGBRAI brought in.

NATEALLEN80 - I have done RAGBRAI a few times but was not there this year because daughter is expecting a baby anytime now. A few of my friends rode this year for their 1st time and even after my prepping them for what to expect, they all said it was a madhouse everyday. But they all had great time. Next year, I may drive the AI to support 2 riders so they don't have to hunt for place to sleep and shower. And I will get paid handsomely for my efforts

[nateallen80]

Originally Posted by Alex AVI

NATEALLEN80 - I have done RAGBRAI a few times but was not there this year because daughter is expecting a baby anytime now. A few of my friends rode this year for their 1st time and even after my prepping them for what to expect, they all said it was a madhouse everyday. But they all had great time. Next year, I may drive the AI to support 2 riders so they don't have to hunt for place to sleep and shower. And I will get paid handsomely for my efforts

ALEX AVI - Congratulations on the new grandbaby, and good luck to your daughter! Last time the overnight was in Indianola was about a decade ago, but if you come through town again and need a driveway for the AI overnight, let me know. I'm not very level, but I've got a 20 amp plug available for some A/C...

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by nateallen80

ALEX AVI - Congratulations on the new grandbaby, and good luck to your daughter! Last time the overnight was in Indianola was about a decade ago, but if you come through town again and need a driveway for the AI overnight, let me know. I'm not very level, but I've got a 20 amp plug available for some A/C...

NATEALLEN80 - Thank you. One way or the other, I will be in RAGBRAI next year, either riding or supporting riders

[Pez Vela]

Spent the night Saturday night at this excellent Montana State Park. It is next door to the 100+ year old Camp Tuffit. The 48th annual crawdad races were held Saturday night. My guess is close to $40,000 was bet on the races. The kids catch the crawdads and there are seven races. A Montana Tradition.

Having attended in the past, I knew I could not be on the road after so much fun.

[85MH325]

Our '04 Interstate and our friends' '98 B-190 under the Coralville Dam near Coralville IA August 2-4, 2019

Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmFQmYFb

[InterBlog]

I crossed into NS around 8 a.m. this morning, which means that I could take this pic without disrupting traffic (of which there was none at that time). Now let’s see if I can get it to post from the web interface because the app never works for me...

[mcintoshMD]

New 2020 AI 19

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by mcintoshMD

New 2020 AI 19Attachment 348679

Nice looking rig. And . . . you bought in white to match your dog.

[mcintoshMD]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

Nice looking rig. And . . . you bought in white to match your dog.

Actually it’s silver and the dog is cream love them both thanks!

[mcintoshMD]

Trying to hide from HOA, James River, North Prince George, VA

[mcintoshMD]

I don’t know why I see 2 pics, only click once, sorry newbie here.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by mcintoshMD

Trying to hide from HOA, James River, North Prince George, VAAttachment 348687

Now I see the silver color. Very nice property too.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by nateallen80

ALEX AVI - We’ve had a busy 2 weeks here. Indianola was an overnight stop for RAGBRAI, which sort of takes over everything for awhile, then the balloon festival started at the end of last week and went through last night. RAGBRAI does tend to take over the consciousness of the whole state, but our balloon festival really only impacts our town. We get lots of people that come in for one of the evening “shows” but nothing like the 40,000-50,000 people that RAGBRAI brought in.

RAGBRAI is the "Largest Rollin' Party in the World!"

I may have to partake again next year myself. Although, generally speaking, three days of RAGBRAI goodness is enough for me.

[nateallen80]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

RAGBRAI is the "Largest Rollin' Party in the World!"

I may have to partake again next year myself. Although, generally speaking, three days of RAGBRAI goodness is enough for me.

At this stage in my life, I can't imagine wasting a week of precious vacation on that journey when I can hit the road for another adventure with my family. Maybe when my wife and I are empty-nester's we'll try it out for a day or two. As it stands, I enjoyed hanging out listening to Sister Hazel on the lawn at Simpson College drinking a few brews the evening the masses rolled in.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by nateallen80

At this stage in my life, I can't imagine wasting a week of precious vacation on that journey when I can hit the road for another adventure with my family. Maybe when my wife and I are empty-nester's we'll try it out for a day or two. As it stands, I enjoyed hanging out listening to Sister Hazel on the lawn at Simpson College drinking a few brews the evening the masses rolled in.

My youngest son is a Simpson grad and I have a cousin who's lived in Indianola for thirty years or better.

Life's all about priorities... and they change with time. Once you've retired, the vacation allocation isn't so precious.