We awoke to a light rain, and we were all happy to sleep in and stay inside. It wasn't long before the rain stopped, and the sun came out. I cleaned my bike, and took advantage of the plan to go to Harper's Cycle Shop in the downtown area. It was really fun to see Greg and Charlie Hopper, the owners of Harper's. I have gone on 15 Ragbrai rides (the bike ride across Iowa), and for many of them we were able to get the repair guys to drive our vehicle to each town on the ride. In exchange for doing that, the guys were able to ride in an air conditioned Tahoe and have lunch on us. That way, all of us were able to ride every day. In all that time, however, I have never been to their shop in Muscatine, so it was a real treat for me.
Then Denise took us into downtown Muscutine and dropped us off.
We went into the Muscutine Historical Museum to learn about the Pearl Button Capital. They used to make pearl buttons out of the oyster shells in the Mississippi River here, and for 70 years over half of the population of Muscutine was employed in one way or another in the button industry.
Just for fun we decided to stop and check out an antique store.
Tomorrow the destination is Kewanee, Illinois for a 78 mile ride. Hopefully with a left turn, the wind will be more at our backs. I will be the sag driver tomorrow.
