Holy mother of all summer weekends.  This was a good’n!   I had a freaking blast and am sad to see it go, but I can guarantee my wallet and liver are totally cool with it being Monday.

Country on the River in Council Bluffs, IA Thursday night was how I started the weekend off.

Tyree and I had tickets for all three days of the music festival, and regardless of the fact we weren’t die hard fans of Thursday nights headliners, we still had a great time and enjoyed singing along to the tunes we did know.

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The beers were cold, the weather warm and the company was great!  We even ran into Regeana!

❤

Can’t beat a good summer night like this!

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We chose to park on the Nebraska side which allowed us to cross the Bob Kerry pedestrian bridge.   Had to pay respect to our states, ya know.

Go Hawks!

Perfect ending to Day One!

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Friday

Up early, 2 mile run, errands, spa appointment at noon and then it was on to Day 2 shenanigans with Tyree.

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Each year I try to do a partial dry run of the Biker B!tch ride to ensure the roads are good and the mileage is decent.  Tyree and I also do one day each summer where just the two of us go ride, so we combined the two and set out!

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Stop 1 Selfie!  Pacific Junction, IA, where the locals are bellied up to the bar by 1pm on a Friday, drinks are cheap and the bartender is the cutest gentleman you could meet.  Thanks, PJ, for a great start to our stellar day.

Next up: The Wild’s for some lunch!   This stop was the one I was most concerned about.  There is a smaller, winding (and fun) connecting road that runs adjacent to the interstate.   Sadly, a long section of it was turned to gravel last year.  SUPER LAME!    Keeping this location as a stop completely depended on whether or not the road was still gravel and lucky for us, the gravel is gone!  I wouldn’t say the ride is a super smooth one, but that could also just be my bike talking.  We lowered it last year so there is minimal suspension.   Unless you’ve ridden a rigid, you have no idea the toll it takes on your back.  Mine luckily isn’t that rough, but it isn’t a smooth ride like everyone else’s.

The things we do for vanity.  It doesn’t just stop with high heels for this girl.

😉

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After The Wild’s, we adjusted our course since we needed to be back in CB for the evening concerts, so we made a quick stop into Tabor for fuel and then hit up Emerald Isle in Imogene, IA for little beer shots.  If you have never had one of these, you are missing OUT my friends.   So gosh darn delicious. 🙂

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And what bar would be complete without children’s books and fun toys?

                   Ummm…. these were totally for big kids, right?

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Next… Emerson, IA to see Sara, Troy and kiddos!

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We pulled the bikes up to Sara’s dads shop, which is also the NEW home of SW Iowa Primitives, Antiques and Furniture.  <- Linked.  Check it out!

Emerson will always hold a special place in my heart.  ❤   It is where I started riding, really.   I have met some of the GREATEST people in Emerson.  From my BBB, Sara, to countless other people thanks to the many poker runs and camp-overs taken place in this quaint little town.  This shop in-particular held many  “shine nights” before poker runs, lots of beer drinking has been done inside those walls and memory after memory has been made.   It’s fun to see the shop transform into Sara and Troy’s newest business.  Couldn’t be more excited for her.

And of course, stopping in Emerson brings NEW love to my heart with Sara’s little cutie pie’s.

Lil’ Miss Ady

❤

Farm girl, Kaeleen.

Taught by the one and only Farmer Tyree.

❤

We stopped into Harley’s Bar and Grill for a quick drink before we had to bounce back to Council Bluffs.  It was time for some live music!

And then Mother Nature decided to make a random appearance.

Rain.   Cold Rain.

Can you see our handlebars peeking out over the top of the wall?  Weren’t they just so cute tucked away nice and safe while semi’s blew on by?

Sarcasm.

Really thought they might get pushed over at one point.  Slow it down, people!

Camping out under the interstate overpass killed any possibility of us making it to see Casey Donahew Band, but to stay dry and somewhat warm was far more important.   No interest in remaining a wet soggy dog all night.

And, people.  Safety First.  Wear your helmets when not on bike.  It makes an adorable fashion statement, don’t ya say?

😀

The rain went through as quickly as it came in and we were back on our way.  Sun shining bright in Council Bluffs.  I guess they only got a sprinking.

Best part of rolling in late?  Getting to see this killer scooter gang.   Freaking hilarious!  There had to be at least 20 of them.  I all of a sudden now want a scooter to pimp out.  Anyone up for it?

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FINALLY – we made it to the concert!

Poor Carrie was stuck for an hour by herself.   Cold beer kept her company though, so she was cool.

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And, apparently my riding boots that I have had for at least 6 years are donezo.  I had some KILLER blisters by the end of the night.   No worries though.  Tyree pulled through with a pair of clean socks.

Don’t ask.

I can’t tell.

😉

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Cheers to a fab Friday!!  Stay tuned for Part 2, including Saturday’s Bikers for Boobies run, a bum back tire experience and Sunday recovery!

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