Saturday, September 29, 2007
FIFTY DAYS FROM HOME!!! Sept 28
DAY FIFTY Lake City to Winona 89 km
Sept 28 Friday D 93.16km M 36.6 A 16.7 PT 5h33 RT 6.5h total 3980.4km
Wind No wind in my ears finally….but slightly from the south… meaning into the wind for another day!
Temp Lovely warm morning with the sun on the tent 12C warmed up to 25C so yes Bruce we are in shirt sleeves!
Road Condition good wide shoulder…. Became a divided hiway with 0 traffic so really nice rolling Could be Kelowna when you look across the Mississippi River and see the hills. Still really LAKE country like homes.
Accommodation Well we didn’t go to the KOA as the Prairie Island Park and CG looked way to good. They are having a Boats and bluegrass festival this weekend. The camp is separated into mostly tents[unserviced] and then caravans [services]so we don’t have to listen to generators, heaters etc turning on and off all night. This is the most people we have seen in a campsite for about 3 weeks… mostly the festival I quess. Food: Breakfast Great new apples HARRISONS
Lunch Stopped in Wabasha for a picnic. The fire hall had some really loud emergency siren go off at 1130 and again at 1200…go figure doesn’t anyone have a watch?
Supper Well every time we get into a bigger city [Winona is 16,000pop] we get better food in the grocery at least…. Good “chicken-like” burgers [Morning Star]. We approached John and Beth [he must be a boy scout] who had a ragging bon fire and cooked our burgers there as it is getting dark early [6:15pm] so no time to make our own fire. Anyways Salad and burgers hit the spot! [22million pounds of beef burgers are being recalled for ecoli!]
Overall: I think this is one of the nicest days for a while… Lots of sun, rolling hills not as big as in Kelowna, good road surface and minimal traffic with really pretty views.[They don’t make cereal in Kellogg] Lots of geese and Pelicans. The train line runs across on the other side of the River and I think there is one every ½ hour! Everyone is really friendly. There is a fellow here in camp who is hitch-hiking and walking all over… he is from the deep south and has more stuff than Ken and I put together… plus a Marmadook Dog….needs a special person to pick him up. He is one of the only dark black skin colored persons we have seen so far in our travels….
There has been a flooding here [area declared a disaster]Federal Emergency Measures Association Relief inacted for Goodview City. Reminders of the fire and the relief in Kelowna a few years ago. They said the creeks flooded and mud slides…. Some areas along the hiway are evacuatied. Sad.
Some music heard this evening, but not too loud… a bongo player in the middle of the night met with yelling from another tent! Not Woodstock by far!
Sept 28 Friday D 93.16km M 36.6 A 16.7 PT 5h33 RT 6.5h total 3980.4km
Wind No wind in my ears finally….but slightly from the south… meaning into the wind for another day!
Temp Lovely warm morning with the sun on the tent 12C warmed up to 25C so yes Bruce we are in shirt sleeves!
Road Condition good wide shoulder…. Became a divided hiway with 0 traffic so really nice rolling Could be Kelowna when you look across the Mississippi River and see the hills. Still really LAKE country like homes.
Accommodation Well we didn’t go to the KOA as the Prairie Island Park and CG looked way to good. They are having a Boats and bluegrass festival this weekend. The camp is separated into mostly tents[unserviced] and then caravans [services]so we don’t have to listen to generators, heaters etc turning on and off all night. This is the most people we have seen in a campsite for about 3 weeks… mostly the festival I quess. Food: Breakfast Great new apples HARRISONS
Lunch Stopped in Wabasha for a picnic. The fire hall had some really loud emergency siren go off at 1130 and again at 1200…go figure doesn’t anyone have a watch?
Supper Well every time we get into a bigger city [Winona is 16,000pop] we get better food in the grocery at least…. Good “chicken-like” burgers [Morning Star]. We approached John and Beth [he must be a boy scout] who had a ragging bon fire and cooked our burgers there as it is getting dark early [6:15pm] so no time to make our own fire. Anyways Salad and burgers hit the spot! [22million pounds of beef burgers are being recalled for ecoli!]
Overall: I think this is one of the nicest days for a while… Lots of sun, rolling hills not as big as in Kelowna, good road surface and minimal traffic with really pretty views.[They don’t make cereal in Kellogg] Lots of geese and Pelicans. The train line runs across on the other side of the River and I think there is one every ½ hour! Everyone is really friendly. There is a fellow here in camp who is hitch-hiking and walking all over… he is from the deep south and has more stuff than Ken and I put together… plus a Marmadook Dog….needs a special person to pick him up. He is one of the only dark black skin colored persons we have seen so far in our travels….
There has been a flooding here [area declared a disaster]Federal Emergency Measures Association Relief inacted for Goodview City. Reminders of the fire and the relief in Kelowna a few years ago. They said the creeks flooded and mud slides…. Some areas along the hiway are evacuatied. Sad.
Some music heard this evening, but not too loud… a bongo player in the middle of the night met with yelling from another tent! Not Woodstock by far!
Sept 27 Minisoda with a touch of Wisconsin
DAY Fourty-Nine Afton State Pk thru Wisconsin to Lake City MN 85 km
Sept 27 Thursday D86.09 km M 44.0 A16.1 PT519 RT total 3887.2 km
Wind slight from the REAR!
Temp Hot…. Awoke to foggy morning over the river….. cleared off and was hot all day.
Road Condition Rolling great ride! Guy at the nursery called it “Coulie” Rd and he is right
Accommodation: Hok-Si-La Municipal Pk and CG Tent camping on the Mississippi.. Lake Pepin Very nice park like setting with no cars allowed in the campsite. They have carts to bring stuff from the parking lot. We are the only campers so very quiet. They stay open until end of October if the weather holds out. +++squirrels
Food: Breakfast usual
Lunch Nesbitts Nursery along the way Great Apple Cider! With our spinach salad!
Supper We went out for a pig out of Nachos and Quesideas
Overall: Great day with nice weather until we started to set up camp and it tried to rain, but went off to a clear sky with a bright moon. I don’t know why we saw more dead deer today than other days… more population, more traffic… they don’t have any deer lights …reflectors or fences along the hiways. We stopped for a break at a apple orchard and picked up apples for breakfast tomorrow. We have been very disappointed to be buying in the stores apples from New Zealand and they are last years so really punky. These ones will be really yummy as she gave us a taste and they were only $1 for 2 huge ones! We also stopped in Prescott at the Strawberry Fields Café which has great veggie choices… to bad it was only 1030 so we didn’t take the bait and eat early. We spent most of the day on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River, but are back in Minnisoda tonight.
Sept 27 Thursday D86.09 km M 44.0 A16.1 PT519 RT total 3887.2 km
Wind slight from the REAR!
Temp Hot…. Awoke to foggy morning over the river….. cleared off and was hot all day.
Road Condition Rolling great ride! Guy at the nursery called it “Coulie” Rd and he is right
Accommodation: Hok-Si-La Municipal Pk and CG Tent camping on the Mississippi.. Lake Pepin Very nice park like setting with no cars allowed in the campsite. They have carts to bring stuff from the parking lot. We are the only campers so very quiet. They stay open until end of October if the weather holds out. +++squirrels
Food: Breakfast usual
Lunch Nesbitts Nursery along the way Great Apple Cider! With our spinach salad!
Supper We went out for a pig out of Nachos and Quesideas
Overall: Great day with nice weather until we started to set up camp and it tried to rain, but went off to a clear sky with a bright moon. I don’t know why we saw more dead deer today than other days… more population, more traffic… they don’t have any deer lights …reflectors or fences along the hiways. We stopped for a break at a apple orchard and picked up apples for breakfast tomorrow. We have been very disappointed to be buying in the stores apples from New Zealand and they are last years so really punky. These ones will be really yummy as she gave us a taste and they were only $1 for 2 huge ones! We also stopped in Prescott at the Strawberry Fields Café which has great veggie choices… to bad it was only 1030 so we didn’t take the bait and eat early. We spent most of the day on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River, but are back in Minnisoda tonight.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Lindstrom MN Day 47 Sept 25 2 days ahead of schedule
DAY Fourty-Seven Springvale CG to Lindstrom 65 km
Sept 25 Tuesday D73.79 km M 41.2A18 PT 4h RT5.5h total3713.5 km
Wind behind us for the most part, then into it for the south portion
Temp cooler 65F
Road Condition good minimal traffic
Accommodation: Well the CG we headed for was gone so we went to the visitors info and found Whispering Bay CG ok… $20 plus for showers which are in need of upgrade. It is a summer resort for permanent summer stays
Food: Breakfast usual
Lunch Another “Beef Lovers Café” Yukky…. I didn’t think there was so much bad food to be had… Ken tried to best the worst grilled cheese sand he has ever had and he did it! White bread with cheese slices…. Yek! I went for the split pea soup… small taste of bacon and a white dinner bun! Not bad for a meat and potatoes restaurant! The banana cream pie was excellent Ken says with real banana slices
Supper Boring sandwiches
Overall: Pretty good day after the events of yesterday. Looked like rain all day.
More PEDAL PEDAL……
Hills – what are these doing here?
Trees- all colors, green, yellow, red, deep red, orange leaves and those falling like rain in the wind
Dead life- lots of skunks, what we think are possums…. No hair on the long tail and the size of a skunk, raccoons
Cows
High clouds-looking like rain all day
Signs for BAIT- fishing bait- live minnows in shops to buy for bait
Turtle- was in the middle of the road- maybe hit- over 1 foot diameter shell and very vicious when we tried to save him
Lots of acreages and lakes… acreage or farm…. Farms have untied dogs!
“Detour signs” - we went anyways as said 2miles and we only needed 2km- reached a piece of new pavement!
Sept 25 Tuesday D73.79 km M 41.2A18 PT 4h RT5.5h total3713.5 km
Wind behind us for the most part, then into it for the south portion
Temp cooler 65F
Road Condition good minimal traffic
Accommodation: Well the CG we headed for was gone so we went to the visitors info and found Whispering Bay CG ok… $20 plus for showers which are in need of upgrade. It is a summer resort for permanent summer stays
Food: Breakfast usual
Lunch Another “Beef Lovers Café” Yukky…. I didn’t think there was so much bad food to be had… Ken tried to best the worst grilled cheese sand he has ever had and he did it! White bread with cheese slices…. Yek! I went for the split pea soup… small taste of bacon and a white dinner bun! Not bad for a meat and potatoes restaurant! The banana cream pie was excellent Ken says with real banana slices
Supper Boring sandwiches
Overall: Pretty good day after the events of yesterday. Looked like rain all day.
More PEDAL PEDAL……
Hills – what are these doing here?
Trees- all colors, green, yellow, red, deep red, orange leaves and those falling like rain in the wind
Dead life- lots of skunks, what we think are possums…. No hair on the long tail and the size of a skunk, raccoons
Cows
High clouds-looking like rain all day
Signs for BAIT- fishing bait- live minnows in shops to buy for bait
Turtle- was in the middle of the road- maybe hit- over 1 foot diameter shell and very vicious when we tried to save him
Lots of acreages and lakes… acreage or farm…. Farms have untied dogs!
“Detour signs” - we went anyways as said 2miles and we only needed 2km- reached a piece of new pavement!
Monday Sept 24 Day 46
DAY Fourty-Six Malmo to Springvale MN 100km
Sept 24 Monday D 100.01 km M 36.9 A 16.1 PT6h10 RT8.5h total 3639.7km
Wind All day none stop headwind as we were going straight south and it was a south wind until last few km
Temp warm when we got up 15C and up to 25 with threat of hail or tornado in pm
Road Condition good
Accommodation: Fabulous… we were getting worried there wouldn’t be a campsite as no signs for same until we saw campers thru the trees. Woman running it is so so nice. It started to absolutely pour once we were under their deck and it continued for about an hour. She said we could sleep in the games room so don’t need to put up the tent! Wonderful and the price is ridiculous for the amenities… $2 per person and usually you get to swim in the pool too! Definitely a spot to tell other cyclists about! They are closing for the season on this weekend so we are a bit concerned that other sites we have planned might be also. She said we are the latest cyclists she has ever had.
Food: Breakfast fruit/bread/cheese for Ken and fruit for me
Lunch We stopped in Isle and Ken had the hugest plate of pancakes…. Stomach ached after those. I was more conservative and had a wrap. Nice Diner…Pat and Kariis Diner with old stuff like “Elvis” memorabilia. Good choice!
Supper used our little “cup-boiler” to make soup and had sands as it still is very wet outside and raining on and off. The boiler is a small weight to carry and we have used it fairly often for hot chocolate etc.
Overall Well it was another….. pedal pedal …. Skunk
Pedal, Pedal…. Look there is a quad road parallel to the road with little road signs just for them!
Pedal, Pedal…. wind
Pedal, pedal….. SNAKE!! Oh gees don’t run over it!
Pedal pedal….. more wind and hills!
Pedal, Pedal… “She’ll be coming round the Mtn” singing to keep myself Pedalling!
Pedal, Pedal….glimpses of Mille Lacs Lake… lots of better camping choices
Pedal, Pedal….Resort, Mobiles, oh oh here comes a yapping DOG….pedal, pedal, pedal faster!
Pedal, Pedal…..Stop for lunch in Isle Yum…. They named some burgers “Popeye spinach burger, but it’s not veggie!
Hard to get the legs Pedal Pedaling after lunch as we only went 28km and have 100 to make the campsite!
Pedal, Pedal….smell……deer… well remains
Pedal, Pedal…. Clouds are forming
Pedal, Pedal…. Trees [wind breaks] thankyou for the planting of the same by someones grandfather
Pedal, Pedal…. More pedaling more pedaling
Pedal, Pedal…. Clouds are getting darker and the wind is stronger!
Pedal, Pedal….. corn fields again
Pedal, Pedal…. 63km Ogilvie finally…2pm…4hr on the road…. thought the school up ahead was an auto reckers….. oops student cars. Stopped to buy some provisions and it started to sprinkle…. Ah pedal on
Pedal, Pedal…. It’s pouring now… who said not to put on the rain gear!
Pedal, Pedal…. Is that thunder?
Pedal, Pedal… oh don’t worry there are telephone poles to protect us….. Lightening……one thousand one, two, three CRACK…… yikes keep pedaling…. More rain is bouncing off the pavement!
Pedal, Pedal…. Should we seek shelter at a farm…. Oh no we are almost out of it and turning right soon
Pedal, Pedal….. still into a feerce head wind
Pedal, Pedal…. Why is there no rainbow….. oh because it’s going to pour again
Pedal, Pedal….oh 85km at last we get to turn left and have a side wind Oh I think the wind would just like to change south west to south east! Wouldn’t you know it!…. Occasional homes with really nice yards, lots of trees uprooted from the storms of the last few days. People out using chain saws and cleaning up the debris, Lots of wood piles and wood for sale
Pedal, Pedal…Km 98 …. We should be at the campsite and no sign of it or a town of Springvale!!
Pedal, Pedal….. its starting to sprinkle again!!! Oh look in the trees are some caravans! Where is the gate it’s going to pour once more!…. Ah no more pedaling km 100…6h of pedaling… just a wonderful hot shower and good food and new friends!
Another day done!
Sept 24 Monday D 100.01 km M 36.9 A 16.1 PT6h10 RT8.5h total 3639.7km
Wind All day none stop headwind as we were going straight south and it was a south wind until last few km
Temp warm when we got up 15C and up to 25 with threat of hail or tornado in pm
Road Condition good
Accommodation: Fabulous… we were getting worried there wouldn’t be a campsite as no signs for same until we saw campers thru the trees. Woman running it is so so nice. It started to absolutely pour once we were under their deck and it continued for about an hour. She said we could sleep in the games room so don’t need to put up the tent! Wonderful and the price is ridiculous for the amenities… $2 per person and usually you get to swim in the pool too! Definitely a spot to tell other cyclists about! They are closing for the season on this weekend so we are a bit concerned that other sites we have planned might be also. She said we are the latest cyclists she has ever had.
Food: Breakfast fruit/bread/cheese for Ken and fruit for me
Lunch We stopped in Isle and Ken had the hugest plate of pancakes…. Stomach ached after those. I was more conservative and had a wrap. Nice Diner…Pat and Kariis Diner with old stuff like “Elvis” memorabilia. Good choice!
Supper used our little “cup-boiler” to make soup and had sands as it still is very wet outside and raining on and off. The boiler is a small weight to carry and we have used it fairly often for hot chocolate etc.
Overall Well it was another….. pedal pedal …. Skunk
Pedal, Pedal…. Look there is a quad road parallel to the road with little road signs just for them!
Pedal, Pedal…. wind
Pedal, pedal….. SNAKE!! Oh gees don’t run over it!
Pedal pedal….. more wind and hills!
Pedal, Pedal… “She’ll be coming round the Mtn” singing to keep myself Pedalling!
Pedal, Pedal….glimpses of Mille Lacs Lake… lots of better camping choices
Pedal, Pedal….Resort, Mobiles, oh oh here comes a yapping DOG….pedal, pedal, pedal faster!
Pedal, Pedal…..Stop for lunch in Isle Yum…. They named some burgers “Popeye spinach burger, but it’s not veggie!
Hard to get the legs Pedal Pedaling after lunch as we only went 28km and have 100 to make the campsite!
Pedal, Pedal….smell……deer… well remains
Pedal, Pedal…. Clouds are forming
Pedal, Pedal…. Trees [wind breaks] thankyou for the planting of the same by someones grandfather
Pedal, Pedal…. More pedaling more pedaling
Pedal, Pedal…. Clouds are getting darker and the wind is stronger!
Pedal, Pedal….. corn fields again
Pedal, Pedal…. 63km Ogilvie finally…2pm…4hr on the road…. thought the school up ahead was an auto reckers….. oops student cars. Stopped to buy some provisions and it started to sprinkle…. Ah pedal on
Pedal, Pedal…. It’s pouring now… who said not to put on the rain gear!
Pedal, Pedal…. Is that thunder?
Pedal, Pedal… oh don’t worry there are telephone poles to protect us….. Lightening……one thousand one, two, three CRACK…… yikes keep pedaling…. More rain is bouncing off the pavement!
Pedal, Pedal…. Should we seek shelter at a farm…. Oh no we are almost out of it and turning right soon
Pedal, Pedal….. still into a feerce head wind
Pedal, Pedal…. Why is there no rainbow….. oh because it’s going to pour again
Pedal, Pedal….oh 85km at last we get to turn left and have a side wind Oh I think the wind would just like to change south west to south east! Wouldn’t you know it!…. Occasional homes with really nice yards, lots of trees uprooted from the storms of the last few days. People out using chain saws and cleaning up the debris, Lots of wood piles and wood for sale
Pedal, Pedal…Km 98 …. We should be at the campsite and no sign of it or a town of Springvale!!
Pedal, Pedal….. its starting to sprinkle again!!! Oh look in the trees are some caravans! Where is the gate it’s going to pour once more!…. Ah no more pedaling km 100…6h of pedaling… just a wonderful hot shower and good food and new friends!
Another day done!
Sept 23 Day 45
DAY Fourty-Five Crosslake to Maimo 86 km
Sept 23 Sunday D 89.09 km M 30.5 A 15.3 PT 5h48 RT8h total 3539.7 km
Wind Terrible wind all day from the south and that’s the way we went! George and Maxine road with us out of town
Temp great back up to 25C most of the day which was shirt sleeve weather once again!
Road Condition mostly good roads with new pavement except for frost heaves on CR30 &32
Accommodation: Interesting spot… it is no longer the Why-Not-Café… it is a games room now… have permanent trailers and lots of grass for tenters. [$15.] Laundry, nice showers which are $2 but include a towel, shampoo and creams. Nice touch. Lots of other camping so could have gone on farther. A few too many dogs in the park… barking ++.
Food: Breakfast Maxine spoiled us with lots of variety of fruit and toast
Lunch bought groceries at Aitkins and had another picnic…. Oh oh Ken got a flat tire so lunch was extended
Supper Mashed potatoes and veggie burgers cooked over Kelly Kettle… worked well Then beer at the games room…. Then she told us she has no liquor license! We sat inside and used the computer and had 3 drinks for $5.
Overall Both very tired due to the windy day… George and Maxine road out with us a ways and then were going to ride around the lake to home. They are both looking fit. George had 3stints installed this summer , so has purposely lost 14lbs…. We won’t be able to keep up to him on the ski hill this winter. Nice to see their “real” home.
Sept 23 Sunday D 89.09 km M 30.5 A 15.3 PT 5h48 RT8h total 3539.7 km
Wind Terrible wind all day from the south and that’s the way we went! George and Maxine road with us out of town
Temp great back up to 25C most of the day which was shirt sleeve weather once again!
Road Condition mostly good roads with new pavement except for frost heaves on CR30 &32
Accommodation: Interesting spot… it is no longer the Why-Not-Café… it is a games room now… have permanent trailers and lots of grass for tenters. [$15.] Laundry, nice showers which are $2 but include a towel, shampoo and creams. Nice touch. Lots of other camping so could have gone on farther. A few too many dogs in the park… barking ++.
Food: Breakfast Maxine spoiled us with lots of variety of fruit and toast
Lunch bought groceries at Aitkins and had another picnic…. Oh oh Ken got a flat tire so lunch was extended
Supper Mashed potatoes and veggie burgers cooked over Kelly Kettle… worked well Then beer at the games room…. Then she told us she has no liquor license! We sat inside and used the computer and had 3 drinks for $5.
Overall Both very tired due to the windy day… George and Maxine road out with us a ways and then were going to ride around the lake to home. They are both looking fit. George had 3stints installed this summer , so has purposely lost 14lbs…. We won’t be able to keep up to him on the ski hill this winter. Nice to see their “real” home.
Day 42-43-44
DAY Fourty-Two Park Rapids 0km REST DAY
Sept 20 Thursday D11.82 km M 25.3 A 15.3 PT46min RT 3h total 3347.7 km
Overall: Well it poured rain all night and into the day. We spent until noon in the tent…. Reading and sleeping! [Ken] Now that’s a true day off!
We cycled back into town and spend the afternoon at a internet café. The best lunch we have had so far! Great paninis @ the Bella caffe’ in Park Rapids! For sure a spot if you come here! They had to shut the place down with us still in it at 6pm!
DAY Fourty-Three Park Rapids to Pine River 75 km
Sept 21 Friday D 75km M 40.5 A 20.0 PT3.5h RT5 h total 3422.2km
Wind started off from the south, so we were into a head wind and side wind and by end of the day more west so it pushed us the final bit to Pine River
Temp nice and warm overnight [after a horrific thunder and lightening and hail storm =dime size]15C to 22C
Road Condition all good except SR 64 little shoulder, 87 new pavement no shoulder, no traffic. Hwy 2 ok shoulder
Accommodation: well after carrying a soaking wet tent all day we thought a motel would be in order but the information fellow said it was not to rain tonight and city park is free to cyclists. So here we are all by ourselves in a nice park with running water/flush toilets, small shelter, raised fire barbeques… with lake view!
Food: Breakfast ate in a ray of sunshine avoiding the new black flies that hatched due to the storm
Lunch Stopped at Betty’s Bloomers Greenhouse corner of SR64 and CR2 They were batting down the hatches before the storm hits today. Wind very strong at the moment. Had our picnic in their yard… they supplied Ken coffee! And we left with a home made jam….. nice people. Betty and her husband will take cyclists in as campers too!
Supper Kelly Kettle soup and sands in the park.
Overall What can I say it was a really easy ride compared to other days.
Pedal Pedal….lizard
Pedal Pedal…. Skunk parts
Pedal Pedal…. Car
Pedal Pedal….. pine trees, gorgeous fall colors [leaves changing with this cool weather]
UPDATE: We did see a strange site in North Dakota… even stopped to look at why a farmer had tall lights like a baseball field made in his pasture!…. we thought later that is where the movie Field of Dreams was shot!
We checked to see if our friend Don made it back to Quebec… saw his bike there but his email comes back not home..where oh where are you Don Forbes
Walked all over the town of Pine River… just under 1000 in pop. Not near the town that Park Rapids is, but does have an internet café…. Closes at 4pm on Friday night! Nothing open later than 5
DAY Fourty-Four Pine River to Crosslake 28 km
Sept 22 Saturday D 28.2 km M 35.7 A 18.8 PT1h3 h RT2 h total 3450.6km
Wind out of the south…. So side wind most of the day
Temp warm overnight and all day blue sky no clouds
Road Condition good shoulder no traffic
Accommodation: Fabulous visiting with ski friends
Food: Breakfast usual
Lunch Boat picnic as they took us on a long boat ride thru at least 3 lakes… there are channels connecting the lakes.
Supper Scrumcious veggie lasengna …home made!
Overall Very shot cycle day along lakes and resort areas. Had one DOG chase, but otherwise uneventful ride. I really must get one of those Dog Taser Whistles.
George and Maxine were home when we arrived so had a great visit, washed our really smelly clothes, got in a boat ride and then a tour of the “town”. Some really large homes around the lakes… summer cottages! Lots of pontoon boats and fishing boats. Must have been a fishing competition as they were all going in to the marina at the same time. Couldn’t ask for a better relaxing day…. Like a day off! And indoor night! The leaves seem to be changing and then just falling off… maybe because it was so dry. Definitely a little piece of Paradise… they planned their own home and it is really gorgeous with a stream thru the yard and all natural with no lawn to mow! They have a electric fence to keep the deer out as they eat everything!
Sept 20 Thursday D11.82 km M 25.3 A 15.3 PT46min RT 3h total 3347.7 km
Overall: Well it poured rain all night and into the day. We spent until noon in the tent…. Reading and sleeping! [Ken] Now that’s a true day off!
We cycled back into town and spend the afternoon at a internet café. The best lunch we have had so far! Great paninis @ the Bella caffe’ in Park Rapids! For sure a spot if you come here! They had to shut the place down with us still in it at 6pm!
DAY Fourty-Three Park Rapids to Pine River 75 km
Sept 21 Friday D 75km M 40.5 A 20.0 PT3.5h RT5 h total 3422.2km
Wind started off from the south, so we were into a head wind and side wind and by end of the day more west so it pushed us the final bit to Pine River
Temp nice and warm overnight [after a horrific thunder and lightening and hail storm =dime size]15C to 22C
Road Condition all good except SR 64 little shoulder, 87 new pavement no shoulder, no traffic. Hwy 2 ok shoulder
Accommodation: well after carrying a soaking wet tent all day we thought a motel would be in order but the information fellow said it was not to rain tonight and city park is free to cyclists. So here we are all by ourselves in a nice park with running water/flush toilets, small shelter, raised fire barbeques… with lake view!
Food: Breakfast ate in a ray of sunshine avoiding the new black flies that hatched due to the storm
Lunch Stopped at Betty’s Bloomers Greenhouse corner of SR64 and CR2 They were batting down the hatches before the storm hits today. Wind very strong at the moment. Had our picnic in their yard… they supplied Ken coffee! And we left with a home made jam….. nice people. Betty and her husband will take cyclists in as campers too!
Supper Kelly Kettle soup and sands in the park.
Overall What can I say it was a really easy ride compared to other days.
Pedal Pedal….lizard
Pedal Pedal…. Skunk parts
Pedal Pedal…. Car
Pedal Pedal….. pine trees, gorgeous fall colors [leaves changing with this cool weather]
UPDATE: We did see a strange site in North Dakota… even stopped to look at why a farmer had tall lights like a baseball field made in his pasture!…. we thought later that is where the movie Field of Dreams was shot!
We checked to see if our friend Don made it back to Quebec… saw his bike there but his email comes back not home..where oh where are you Don Forbes
Walked all over the town of Pine River… just under 1000 in pop. Not near the town that Park Rapids is, but does have an internet café…. Closes at 4pm on Friday night! Nothing open later than 5
DAY Fourty-Four Pine River to Crosslake 28 km
Sept 22 Saturday D 28.2 km M 35.7 A 18.8 PT1h3 h RT2 h total 3450.6km
Wind out of the south…. So side wind most of the day
Temp warm overnight and all day blue sky no clouds
Road Condition good shoulder no traffic
Accommodation: Fabulous visiting with ski friends
Food: Breakfast usual
Lunch Boat picnic as they took us on a long boat ride thru at least 3 lakes… there are channels connecting the lakes.
Supper Scrumcious veggie lasengna …home made!
Overall Very shot cycle day along lakes and resort areas. Had one DOG chase, but otherwise uneventful ride. I really must get one of those Dog Taser Whistles.
George and Maxine were home when we arrived so had a great visit, washed our really smelly clothes, got in a boat ride and then a tour of the “town”. Some really large homes around the lakes… summer cottages! Lots of pontoon boats and fishing boats. Must have been a fishing competition as they were all going in to the marina at the same time. Couldn’t ask for a better relaxing day…. Like a day off! And indoor night! The leaves seem to be changing and then just falling off… maybe because it was so dry. Definitely a little piece of Paradise… they planned their own home and it is really gorgeous with a stream thru the yard and all natural with no lawn to mow! They have a electric fence to keep the deer out as they eat everything!
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