Day 25, Okoboji, IA to Clear Lake, IA

Today I rode 112.97 miles from Okoboji to Clear Lake, IA. 

Iowa is a leading U.S. state in wind power generation with 27.4% of the state's electricity generation coming from wind in 2013. Learn more about it here.

Clumps of either Feather Reed Grass or Japanese Silver Grass near the village of Ventura, IA were a soothing sight to our eyes. We stopped to take a few pictures and the subject of the next picture appeared.

Tom is the proud owner of this now painstakingly restored 1930 Ford Model A tractor. He generously offered a ride to all of us on his shiny tractor. 

And finally, after a long day of riding we entered the City of Clear Lake, IA. Clear Lake is permanently linked with Rock & Roll pioneer Buddy Holly. 

In the early hours of February 3, 1959, a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper, who had been performing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, took off from the local runway in nearby Mason City, on its way to the next show in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The plane crashed soon after takeoff, killing all aboard. This event was later eulogized by folk singer Don McLean in his famous song, "American Pie", in which the death of these '50s icons serves as a metaphor for greater changes within American society as a whole.

In June 1988, around 600 people gathered to witness the dedication of the monument to the deceased rock and roll legends. Clear Lake also replaced street signs officially changing 2nd Place North to Buddy Holly Place in honor of the late singer.

The day was not without its ups and downs. We started the day with birthday wishes for Mrs. Kelli Oaks of Houston, TX. But a little after lunch, Larry Oaks, her husband, also seen in the photograph had a crash and broke his left 5^th and 6^th ribs. The Oaks couple is some of the nicest people I have gotten to know over my many years of participating in expeditions around the globe. I can only wish for Larry to have a speedy recovery from his injury and get back in the saddle so that we may ride together again.

Another worthy organization that could use your help is Lewis County Opportunities. If I succeeded in making you go “Wow” or gave you goose bumps, please consider donating to this organization. Click here for more information on how to contact them.