Historical Refuse

Pella is getting some sewer (storm variety I think?) upgrade work under way and we happened to notice that the stuff being replaced is extremely old looking. It's made from three layers of red bricks similar to what was used on the streets. Then there appears to be a mortar skim coat over the outside. The parts we could see looked like they were still structurally sound, except the spot where an excavator bucket opened it up. Looking at what's going in instead, there will be quite a flow capacity increase.

Sunday

Near perfect weather this morning and a walk on the beach. I'm not sure if the lake pool is a little low but there's a nice chunk of clean sandy shoreline west of the north-overlook beach.

It makes me a little anxious for a draw-down when the hydroelectric plant construction is in process. Then there will be miles of shore like this, and much much wider sections too.

In the afternoon we got out for a mountain-bike ride at Elk-Rock park. It was such a nice day that herds of horses were out. As is typical, half were pretty skittish even with us standing well of the side of the trial. 

Saw some nearly tame deer which were content to just watch a group of 5-6 horse riders go by and then just watch us as well.

Mushroom!

Some great clouds out today, they were stacking up really high.

August Fat-Tire Ride

Only a couple Fat-Tire rides to go this season, we'll see if we can hit a couple more yet.

Arriving in downtown Des Moines.

We arrived at El Baitshop a few minutes before the group was to leave so we sampled a couple things. I got a Rouge Brutal IPA and Corrine got a TommyKnocker Maple Nut.

Scott's beard got bigger.

Rolling out to the trail.

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Inside Rock Bottom Brewing. We filled up the bar/self-seat part of it pretty good.

I got a Evergreen IPA (noted that it used fresh spruce tips) and Corrine got an Ice-Pick?

This was supposed to be an appetizer...it was huge.

After Rock Bottom, we went over to Active Endeavors for a little shopping.

Saw this sweet wooden kayak outside.

Also noted that Pete picked up a new S4 recently and has already neglected wiping the soot off his exhaust tips.

Back to downtown.

Rode a little singletrack on the way back using our road bikes.

"Nothing Compares"

At least that's what my ticket said. We went with friends to the Iowa State Fair this evening. Crowd size was the absolute polar opposite of the last time Corrine and I were here. It was a sea of people in nearly every direction. Notable finds were the Iowa Craft Beer Tent and the Double Bacon Corn Dog (contained plastic chunks, thanks Cody).

Foot-long corn dog was legitimate.

Raise your hand if you can say: "I sprained my pinky toe at the Iowa State Fair." It's turning black and blue right now.