When the Snow Doesn't Come to You, You Must Go to the Snow

January 6, 2024 to January 9, 2024

Dispatches From Iowa

A couple weeks ago, it became apparent that I might not be able to fulfill my pledge to conduct a January bike tour in Minnesota. Nine days into the month, things look even more bleak. The Feeshko's mom died on New Year's Day and she's been in Spokane ever since. I've been in Iowa since January 2nd, caring for my dad and looking at assisted living facilities with memory care. Luckily, we found one with an opening--a very nice and expensive one--and we can start moving him in later this week.

I figure it will take a week to get him moved and settled in, and a few more days to get back to Minnesota and prepare for a short mini-tour. That brings me to about January 25th. In Minnesota, January has 31 days. In other words, there is still a sliver of hope.

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Like an alcoholic who always has a bottle stashed wherever he or she goes, I always have the foresight to make sure I have my bike with me if I'm going to be away for any length of time. I admit it, I'm a bike-aholic.

My bike-aholism paid off this week. I've been able sneak away for a few bike rides in the relatively cool 25-30 degree (f) air. Not super-cold temperatures, I admit, but still cold enough to call them acclimatization rides. I took some pictures too. Get ready, here they come.

My first destination was the high school I attended many years ago. Sometime between 1976 and now, they erected this Oelwein Husky monument. Go Huskies!

My second destination was beautiful, but frozen, Lake Oelwein. I rode onto this peninsula until I could ride no further.

On the south side of the lake, I spotted a bald eagle. Minnesota does not have a monopoly on those magnificent birds. Iowa has them too.

That's me and my bike under a man-made bird. I'm not going to claim this as my 5th bird sighting though. I have SOME scruples.

The good news is that I did find a legitimate 5th bird sighting. Can you tell they are a pair of redtail hawks?

No rural midwestern bike ride is complete without a cow picture.

Gravel is an important road surface in Iowa.

Back in town, I took a picture of my favorite Iowa mural of all time.

Last night, the weather took a turn for the better. Iowa's first major snowstorm moved in. When I woke up, there was about 4 inches of snow on the ground and it was still coming down. After my brother and I shoveled the front and back porches, the sidewalks and the driveway, and when I saw the main roads had been plowed, I went for an acclimatization bike ride. It was fantastic.

Just as fantastic is that this storm missed my home state. Iowa officially has more snow than Minnesota. I'm glad to be here instead of there.

I know you are riveted to hear the rest of my narrative, but I think this would be a good time for a commercial break. Please pay attention to the following P.S.A. I starred in it out of the goodness of my heart and for the $20 paycheck.

Oelwein, Iowa has managed to keep a small town movie theater alive.

Do I have to stop if the sign is partially hidden? It doesn't really matter because I rarely stop even when such signs aren't covered by snow.

I stopped at the local grocery store for a few food supplies. I plan to stir fry chicken and vegetables for dinner.

Before cooking, however, I found a rag in my dad's garage and wiped down my bike. One has to keep the rust off you know.

Today's ride: 17 miles (27 km)
Total: 72 miles (116 km)

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Bill ShaneyfeltCurrently upper 40s and drizzly all day, here in Dayton, OH, soon to start dropping with a promise of near zero by the end of the week... but little fluffy precipitation. I am not a fan. But, ride, I shall, barring some catastrophic interference.
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4 months ago

Mike AylingSorry to hear about your Mother in Law Greg. Please give my sympathies to her and hoping your Dad settles in at his new place.
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4 months ago

Andrea BrownCondolences to the Feeshko and you. May your pa flourish in his new digs. It can be a long goodbye, as others here can attest. Bike riding in the snow is excellent therapy but please stay upright because he needs you unbroken.
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4 months ago

Bruce LellmanGreg,
So sorry about your mother-in-law as well as your Dad. I'm glad your father has you to keep some light-hearted humor going in his life. I'm sure he appreciates all you do for him.
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4 months ago

Suzanne GibsonSorry to hear that the Feeshko's mother passed away. My Condolences to you both. Glad to hear you found a good place for your dad.

Enjoy the snow!
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4 months ago

Bob DistelbergCondolences to the Feeshko and to you Greg. Hopefully your Dad settles into assisted living life, and hopefully that will ease the burden on you a bit. Enjoy the winter riding. And if you don’t get to do that tour in January, I suspect February might provide some good challenging opportunities as well.
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4 months ago

Gregory GarceauTo Mike AylingThank you, Mike. I will tell the Feeshko about ALL of the condolences from my Cycleblaze friends.
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4 months ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesSteve and I send both you and the Feeshko our condolences on the loss of her mother, and the declining health of your Dad. This an inevitable, but still very sad and difficult, stage in all our lives as we get older.
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4 months ago

Emily SharpSending my condolences to The Feeshko and you on all the hard things. They always seem to cluster together. The bike is such a good healer though, and it will be there when the time is right. I am glad for you that you've had so much time in life with your dad when he was healthy and well, before his care needs have escalated. I know plenty of people my age already dealing with all of that, and it's looking increasingly likely my brother and I will be faced with it sooner rather than later... the price to pay for love and a good relationship with family, I guess. Sending good thoughts to you and The Feeshko.
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4 months ago

Gregory GarceauThanks Emily, and yes, Chef G. has been a little too busy to post any of his famously delicious recipes and informative food articles. The good news is that he's got a few cooking ideas running through his amazing culinary brain and hopes to get back on the air in the near future.

Indeed, the bike is a great healer. I've been using mine as medicine for the mind and the body for many years.
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4 months ago