We headed west for Morrison-Rockwood State park near the Mississippi (only 100 miles from home) to set up the tent and ride the rest of the day. The ride there was smooth sailing all the way. However, the GPS had other plans for getting us into the park.
Several miles of single lane dirt including steep hills, yelping, bike chasing dogs and some tight turns, left us asking directions from a college kid home for the summer driving the family tractor. Sure I understood the directions, somehow, we wound up doing the same loop with the same yelping dogs and the same kid on the tractor! What? An episode from the Twilight Zone, we at least got see how able a dirt rider that fat cruiser is. Actually the road was as gentle as could be, but the boy was starting to lose it getting lost the same way over and over. The only change was that each time, a different yelping dog (of the three) made a run at the bike. Ahhhh!
Crazy. So I set the gps for an intersection on the other side of the park, purposely turned the wrong way at an intersection and we finally got out of that vortex.
Nice park. Set up tent and decided to cross the Mississippi at Clinton, IA and head north. The only goal was to cross back over to a highly rated restaurant in Savannah, IL named Dominic and Marie’s in time for dinner.
Morrison has a modern covered bridge that replaced an old pony bridge. Unfortunately, the old bridge is completely gone, but they certainly put a nice one in its place.
The Iowa side was smooth riding. We went up to Sabula, which is an island town on the Mississippi and stopped off on their fishing point. Snubbed. Nothing, not even a bite. Still, better than not fishing.
Back on, we crossed into IL at Savannah, two hungry dudes and ready for some good Italian. What!? Dominic and Marie’s closed! For sale! Not cool. After riding around past biker bar after biker bar, we finally settled on Manny’s Taco Bar and Pizza – something like that. How can you go wrong with Tacos and Pizza in the same place? Number two son feeling adventurous ordered Hawaiian rather than his usual cheese only. After some wings, the pizza and a pitcher of ice water were perfect.
With the sun turning golden, we hustled back to the state park to get as much fishing in as possible. I’d say we got a good hour and a half. Limited on lures by packing light for the bike, we couldn’t make a legitimate play for the big ole Northern, so we went hard for bass. Not too bad. Couple of nice ones in the 2 – 3 pound range each.
Back at the tent, quick trip to the shower house, a few hours of cards, and we called it a night. Not too bad a day. Good night mom.
I slept (or didn’t sleep) like crap. Let’s go Stefano, let’s get up. Poor kid. 15 years old, a late sleeper and you’ve got your old man waking you up at 5 am. Luckily for me he was still up for a detour on the way home to check out the Lyndon Bridge. Sunrise and mist over the water as we departed Lake Morrison.
I promised him a real breakfast on the way home. For now, we took some gas station chocolate milk and pastries to the bridge for an early morning snack.
The bridge is awesome. Thanks to Rhino on the ADV Forum and his bridge search to get me started on this. My wife and I checked out the Millbrook Bridge closer to home a few weekends ago and now this. These beautiful old bridges have proven to be excellent destinations or side trips on our rides, and I look forward to many more.
Lyndon Bridge is a Pratt through truss bridge that was erected in 1894. It was scheduled for demolition in 1995 when the town of Lyndon formed a foundation to save the bridge. It is rare in my little experience to see a town not only save a bridge, but celebrate it. Here, the town has built a park around the entrance. We met a man riding it on his morning bike ride and he said the park gets used for cookouts and parties.
Sun rising over the Rock River, just behind the truss.
Long bridge! It is comprised of three 200 foot spans. 600 feet. Two football fields.
Beautiful and noble structure.
There are a lot of emotions walking one of these structures. I think about the time that has past, the river that has flowed, the jobs that were done, the scope of the size. Rhino said it best:
“One of the biggest thrills is finding a way to cross the old closed bridges , stop in the middle and try to picture the farmer taking his crops to town with a horse and wagon, the Model-A with family going to church on Sunday morning, a soldier coming home from WW2 on his Indian Scout, the two brothers taking a break from farm chores and fishing off the bridge, Richie driving his 55 Chevy way too fast trying to get Mary home before she is late. The school bus dropping kids off after school, the mail man delivering mail in the snow, ...”
The bridge and the bike.
So, here is how the bridge foundation works. Sponsor a plank for $75 and you get a plaque.
Many different memorials, sponsorships, etc. This is one of my faves.
We ate our gas station snack at the middle, watching the water go by.
After that, the ride was pretty much done. About two hours to home and nothing to do but ride and, of course, a stop for a real breakfast.
All told, we only rode somewhere between 300 and 400 miles in two days. But, it was a rare opportunity to get a 15 year old away from friends, the rink, and who knows what else for a few days. I feel fortunate that this ride all came together, and I think he enjoyed it too. The rolling roads along the Mississippi, a nice dinner, some bass, a fire, old bridge, breakfast, and beautiful weather. I’ll take that any day.
