on a bicycle
Well, I really hadn't planned to send out an email at this point but since I am now holed up in the Cherokee Library sitting out a lightening storm I figured I might as well.
I flew to Minneapolis EARLY on July 5th. Get this, there is NO way out of the airport without traveling on a major kick ass freeway. I had planned on taking a bus (fitted with a bike rack) to get out of town and then jump on my bike. No such luck. The one bus that went the direction I wanted to go didn't have a rack. And their metro system is not very user friendly. There were limited schedules and maps available to even try to figure out where to go. I was a bit bummed and really didn't want to ride on a freeway. So, I hitched a ride from a police officer. She was very nice and drove me a couple miles away from the airport to a side street so I could find my way.
I was straddling my bike looking at the sorry map I picked up at the airport, trying to make sure I was going in the right direction. I guy rode by on his bike and asked if he could help. I kind of waved him off figuring that I really didn't have a specific destination in mind and didn't want to explain everything AGAIN. Well, he came right back around and offered to help. When he heard my plan he gave directions and then said heck, I'll just take you to the bike route. Then he ended up riding with me all the way through town on these great bike paths that go around all the different lakes. He even escorted me out of the city to a town called Hopkins, about 10 miles away. He was going to go further, but I finally convinced him I was okay, and it was getting late, and he had just been out for a little ride home from work. Patrick, the guy, helped me find a better map from the bike trail association, and off I went. On roads this time because they are just country highways and really had nice bike shoulders. I finally got to my friends house at 10:30pm. All that time wasted at the airport. I should have been here around 7:00pm. All was okay though, just in time to catch their 4th of July fireworks on the 5th and sit back and enjoy the night. Had a great time visiting with Sandy and Rodger and the kids Sonia and Carl. I learned how Power Rangers got their start, played on one of the many lakes, and slapped a lot of bugs. Vickie and Rod (friends via Sandy and Rodger) held a great goodbye dinner for me and the next morning I was off for southern Iowa.
Day 1 July 12th Delano, MN to New Ulm, MN
Fun filled if not a bit anxiety filled. Started off great heading southwest on back roads. At about the three hour mark I happened to look behind me. Oh no. The clouds were big and black and scary looking. Knowing nothing about the weather in these parts other than there are tornados and lightning that can kill you, I started pedaling faster. I out ran the storm for about an hour, then finally got nailed. I really appreciated the gentleman on the side of the road who flagged me down to tell me, "Looks like there is some rain over there." I think that's what slowed me down, or the fact that I was misplaced for a bit, not lost, just misplaced. So twice that day I got a bit wet, but all my stuff stayed dry. With a lovely tail wind and the end of the day was able to cover 19 miles in 62 minutes! and it was nice that evening. Stayed in New Ulm.
Day 2 July 13th New Ulm to Loon Lake, MN(on the Iowa border)
Great day, weather was nice the entire day not too hot, not too windy. New Ulm was a beautiful town, just west of Mankato,north of Sleepy Eye. wow all these names from the Laura Ingalls Wilder books are real places, get that. Staarted out the day surrounded by low lying clouds, just me and the few people up at 6:00am on a Saturday. Get an early start and hopefully avoid the wind and the heat. One thing I have noticed. Small towns in Washington tend to be a bit scuzzy. Houses are not always painted, yards are often not kept up, but in MN you better watch out. All the towns I went through were neat, tidy and beautifully maintained. I would say the same about Iowa now too. Had a few bike repairs in St. James. Kind of broke a chain, half a link. It held together and got me to town. The bike guy was on duty and jumped on it to make it better! So, two hours later on the road, he fixed some other stuff too. It is interesting too looking at all the fields of corn, soybean, and wheat. There is no irrigation. HS kids around here don't get to earn extra cash by moving pipe each evening. I guess It just rains, because everything is green! The bugs haven't been too bad. Just mosquitoes and spray will keep them at bay.
Day3 July 14th Loon Lake, MN to Peterson, IA.
Ya know when you travel at 12-14 miles an hour a head wind of 5-10 miles an hour can really make a dent in your day. The wind is consistently out of the south so I am forced to struggle against it the entire day. Oh well, shift down and enjoy the ride, embrace the wind it will make me stronger. ya. It got pretty hot (found out it was 102 w/the heat index), and there is really no shade, and working against the wind. I was sloooooow. I even stopped in the little town of Everly to catch a cat nap under a tree in the park. I would have really liked a beer, and maybe something to eat, but nothing is open on Sunday! Did meet a fellow RAGBRAIer in town though. Got to Peterson at 7:30pm with a big hill to drop into town, what fun! No people. Finally found some gentlemen at the corn harvester place who could tell me where the state park was, and that it had no facilities and would be loaded with bugs. All I really wanted was a shower! Stopped in at the quikymart place for some drink and food, talked to the owners for a while and then a gentleman, Richard, offered to take me to a park up the road, showers, beautifully maintained the whole bit. Before I could say okay twice, he had my bike in the back of his truck and I was on my way. Ohh nothing quite like a nice shower after three days on the road.
Day4 July 15th Peterson, IA to Cherokee (lightening storm break) to Smithland, IA
Day started out great, a bit of hazy clouds off in the distance. I don't know how to read the weather around here so no idea if it is going to go away or gang up. Got to Cherokee, had some breaky and a cup of coffee, took off down the road and what before my eyes should apear but lightning. hmmm. I need information, and there is a library, they have all the answers. Yes, I should fear the lightning. Yes, there are expecting storms for most of the day. hmmmm. A lady came in to drop off some books, heard my plight and offered to take me home with her. She also offered for me to stay and they would take me to Glenwood, the beginning of RAGBRAI on Friday. Her and hubby ride a tandem. So, if the weather doesn't change, I have a place to spend the night in town. and still plenty of time to make it to Glenwood and the beginning of RAGBRAI. Ya know, there is so much more to tell, how the bike seat is paining my seat, I finally solved the problem of hot foot (felt like a voodoo doll with burning feet), despair when the battery on the minidisc player runs out of juice, and then meeting all the people that will also be on their way to RAGBRAI at the end of the week. I already have tons of friends to meet there! Not to forget NY Dave, who I met in Nepal, and buds.
The storm blew over and I continued on. I now was traveling on Hwy 31, part of the Loess Hills Senic Byway System. I stopped in the town of Quimby to fill up on water, and lemonade (diluted lemonade is the business). An older gentleman, say 65 (get that) was holding court in the Texaco minimart. I asked the group if they knew the geology of the Loess Hills Area. Apparently that was the reason for today's meeting and they explained that all the top soil from Nebraska was eventually blown off and depositied in this area. The hills reach a total height of 200ft. The only other place in the world where this phenom occurs is somewhere in China. 200ft. and to think I was a bit intimidated by the name Loess HILLS. When I got to the next town,Washta I discovered an identical group of gentlemen congregated in that Texaco. I asked them if they were aware of the meeting taking place up the road. They said their's was better. They directed me to the city park where I pulled out my Therma rest and took a nap. Way too hot to keep riding! Two hours later I continued on. Made it to Smithland and a Campground just outside of town. Actually the camp ground was up a big-hill-gravel-road. I couldn't do it. Had to push. When I got to the top of the hill I discovered the campground was down the other side. Well, NO. Took a little side dirt road and set up my tent in the tall grass. Packed down the grass like a deer and had the most wonderful sleep all night. The cushiest bed. Woke up in the morning bright and early 5:30. Watched the sun come up while I packed, and hit the road.
Day 5 July,16th Smithland, IA to Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge.
Had a great breaky in Onawa, IA. Stopped at the McDonalds for the usual #6 breakfast. Everybody it seemed wanted to talk to me. Where have I been where am I going, and then tell me their stories of when RAGBRAI came through town and how WILD everyone was. It was a wonderful morning. Continued on hwyK45. The next town I got to I stopped to refuel the Lemonade and met a wonderful lady. She invited me to stay at her house anytime I happen to be in the area. I gave her my webpage address so I hope she gets in touch. ****I have learned to always stop and pick up water, lemonade, or food whenever I can. I have twice planned on getting something in a town only to find there really is no town and then had to travel 10 more miles to fill up on water, One time it was the end of the day 8:00pm 10miles to go to the campground and no town. Bummer, no dinner either.**** Oh what a day this was. That 5-10mph wind was at my back the whole day. I didn't have very far to ride today I am a bit ahead of schedule. Riding with the wind at your back is such a graceful thing. Like running without your feet touching the groung, or skiing pow, no skiing pow is so much better, bad example. Spent the night at the Campground connected with the Wildlife Refuge. Again the one thing I really wanted was a shower. NO the showers were shut down, some plumbing problem. So I tucked myself away in a group camping spot, the place was empty, used my camel back as a shower, and freeloaded the night.