As I plunk away on the keyboard this morning, the temperature on this bend of the Mississippi River is 1 degree and the forecast calls for it to get steadily colder.
Holy North Dakota. It’s the sort of forecast that excites Al Roker but depresses nearly everyone else — especially if you think about it too much. But it’s warm inside and I’ve decided to dwell on things to which I am looking forward.
The first is the Iowa Bike Expo, which will be held Jan. 24 in Des Moines. This is exciting because the route for RAGBRAI XLIII will be announced that evening. I’m planning to make an overnight trip with some friends to attend the expo and route-announcement party. We’ll be representing Team MCSA, the group that rode with me last year on RAGBRAI XLII to raise awareness for the homeless in Iowa and to raise some money for MCSA, the nonprofit organization that runs the homeless and domestic violence shelters in Muscatine, Iowa..
So while it may be cold this morning, this is a sure sign of better days ahead. (RAGBRAI is only 192 days away.)
I am also looking forward to a visit to Muscatine by Scott Siepker, the Iowa Nice Guy. He will speak during the Business After Hours event that will be held by the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Muscatine History and Industry Center. The Chamber is billing this as “A Taste of Muscatine” and local eateries that are chamber members will be there to show what they can do.
The food alone made this a worthwhile event the first time the Chamber tried it last year. But Siepker will be an entertaining addition — especially if you’re familiar with his work on YouTube or ESPN.
See? Even though it may be 14 below by tonight, it’s not going to be that bad. You might even say it’s going to be nice.
Brome Hill 