Once in a life time

Some opportunities are just so very rare that they cannot be missed! This summer we were presented with an opportunity to participate in Ragbai, a week-long cross-state bike ride. Every year the route is changed to experience different parts of Iowa and visit different cities. This year the route lined up on day five to follow the path of the derecho from last summer that destroyed our home and much of our community. This meant the bikers would be riding down our road and right past our property.

The last time Ragbai riders came this route was in 1978 (from what I've been told)...that was the year before I was born! If they don't send the route this way for that long again...I will be almost 70 years old! So, we took the day off, made some plans and participated!

Ben and the kids set up a table at the house:

And I volunteered with the local non-profits in Garrison:

It was a truly amazing experience and I am so glad we were all able to participate and experience what may be the only time in our lives that 23,000 bikers come riding past our place!