Today was a good one. I rolled out of Oelwein early and made my way east through classic Iowa scenery. It was easy pedaling all morning, with cornfield after cornfield stretching out on either side. As I got closer to the Mississippi, the terrain began to dip and the air grew heavier. Cornfields gave way to forest and valleys. You could feel the river coming before you ever saw it. I had been looking forward to a ferry crossing I’d read about. This one has been operating since 1833, the oldest in Wisconsin. When I reached the landing, it was just a dirt road that faded right into the water. A few minutes later, the ferry showed up. I rolled my bike aboard next to a couple of cars and we chugged across the big river to Cassville, Wisconsin. After grabbing a bite to eat in town, I climbed a steep winding road up to Dewey Heights Campground. The view from my site was incredible, perched high on a bluff above the river. The only downside? The mosquitoes. There were so many, I’m still half convinced they could’ve flown off with me and the tent if they had tried. Thankfully, my bug net kept them at bay while I watched the sun dip behind the bluffs. Eventually the heat broke and the cool night air settled in. I’m excited to explore Wisconsin’s roads and landscapes in the days ahead.