Moosely (Mostly) Minnesota

6-18 – Ride like the wind: Today we awoke to a steady 30 MPH SW wind with gusts over 40 MPH. As we stair stepped south and west out of ND the ride was quite variable. Going south we tended to travel in single digits and low teens as far as MPH. When we traveled west the ride was literally a breeze going in the mid 20’s and pushing 30 MPH on occasion. As we crossed into Minnesota the feel was definitely going from the American west into the mid-west. I’m not sure where that line is officially, perhaps the Missouri River, but the topography does change in quite a hurry as one enters Minnesota.

PS: Our weather cleared up late yesterday afternoon. We were able to do an evening ride covering 35 miles. That gave us a little bit of a jump on today’s activities.

Our Good Fortune, and Others Less Fortuneate: We stayed in Cooperstown the last two evenings largely because of the inclement weather in the area. Over 30 tornados touched down all around Cooperstown playing havoc with the folks in eastern ND and northwest MN. Our hearts and prayers go to those who have been victims of the violent weather.

Buffalo River State Park: Our day ended at Buffalo River State Park just west of Hawley, Minnesota. It is a beautiful little park and we were thankful to be put into the overflow tent section. This was our first night in tents so that was a bit of a change. There is lots more work to setting up and breaking down and for the first time supper wasn’t ready right when we stopped. The crew at BRSP was very helpful. Nick and his crew brought us a picnic table on a fork lift and even transported a big jug of water to our campsite. A state park with showers was a nice touch as well.

Did you know…that if you arrive in a Minnesota state park on a bicycle they have to find a place for you to camp? We didn’t know that. Having a support vehicle caused the ranger to make a phone call regarding our status as the campground was officially full. But if you are ever in Minnesota riding a bike you always have a place to stay.

6-19 – Oh Canada: Today was a really great ride through the north woods of Minnesota. The temperatures remained cool and there was a mild northwest wind which was a blessing for most of the day. This part of Minnesota has more hills than I would have imagined. All the lakes, some rally big, and the dense foliage made for great scenery all day. Early in the ride we were blessed with the aroma of freshly cut hay. I’ve always liked that fragrance. I think because the weather has been so cool we have yet to have any problems with mosquitoes, the Minnesota state bird. Hopefully that will be the case for some time.

The International Friendship Festival…was taking place when we rolled through Pelican Rapids, MN. We were able to listen to a Blue Grass band for a while and the local community orchestra regaled the participants with national anthems form a variety of countries. Katie and I, to either the amazement or amusement of some passers by, sang the entire Canadian national anthem along with the orchestra. I think we’re ready for a Stanley Cup Finals game.

Glendalough State Park: We are staying in DSP just outside of Battle Lake, MN. Again we are in the overflow camping. Lisa does such a great job of just sticking with it until the ranger says, “we’ll, OK.” This is a very different campground. Rather than driving up to your site you have to park in a central parking lot and take all your gear to the site in what amounts to a large wheel barrel. I have never seen that before.

Sunset at Sunset: Being placed in the overflow camping has been a real blessing this evening. We are watching the sunset over Sunset Lake. There are many different birds that are doing their evening feeding. I wish I knew more about these birds, but I don’t. The most striking are the large, white Egrets that are very much like Great Blue Herons which I am more familiar with. They are so graceful in flight, a real joy/wonder to watch. Lisa is getting some pictures with our new camera. We hope to post some pictures in the next few days.

Midnight Loons: Sometime in the middle of the night the loons on Sunset Lake and an adjacent lake began calling to each other. There is probably no more quintessential sound to the Minnesota outdoors than the haunting call of the Loon.

A Divide of Sorts: At the top of a short climb was a sign indicating that everything north of this ridge drained into Hudson’s Bay and everything south into the Mississippi. I guess that is a continental divide of sorts. I thought that was interesting.

Did you know…that Pelican Falls, MN. Has the biggest pelican in the world. Pete the Pelican sits on the bank of the river overlooking the rapids. Pete was created in 1957 out of Iron and Plaster. Pete is 15 feet (I think) tall.

One regret: Today my nephew Ryan was married in Buffalo, NY. One small regret about this ride is that we were not able to be there. Ryan is a great guy and I know he understands. Three cheers for Ryan and Beth on a long and happy life together.

Closing In: Having had two delays so far on the trip we are thankfully only about 30 miles behind where we’d hoped to be tonight. I give the lion’s share of the credit to Gary, Lisa and Katie for pressing us forward.

6-20 – The Spirit of St. Louis: The plane that Charles Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris is probably what he is best known for. Charles Lindbergh was also a successful lawyer, a strong anti-war advocate and the kidnapping of his child is one of America’s unsolved mysteries. Tonight we stay the Minnesota state park that is named after him and the 100 acre park was donated by the Lindbergh family to the state. It is a beautiful location right along the Mississippi River in Little Falls, MN.

Agricultural Change: It is obvious that the focus of agriculture has changed from almost exclusively wheat in Montana and ND to much more corn and other crops here in MN.

The Cozy Cup Café: The CCC is located in Parker’s MN. We had a great lunch there. How many places can you get an all you can eat buffet for $6.95? The owner had a write in and sign a log she is keeping of all the cyclists who venture into her establishment. It was interesting to see how many folks, doing essentially the same ride we are, stopped in the CCC. It was neat to become a part of her record. (My apologies, I can’t remember her name – She was a wonderful lady). If you get a chance we strongly recommend the CCC in Parker’s Prairie, MN.

Happy Father’s Day: I awoke to cards that Mackey and nary had written for me and sent with Lisa. Reading the cards made me weep with joy. I am a very lucky man with three great kids and my wife Lisa who is the glue and the strength of us all. The day ended by when Lisa and Katie took me out for a Father’s Day dinner at the Cabin Fever Saloon and Eatery. I had just what I wanted in central MN., the biggest Walleye fish sandwich known to man. They said it was 12 ounces, I think it was bigger. For my money Walleye is easily the best eating fish anywhere. The folks at Cabin Fever know how to do it right. Happy Father’s day to everyone who has the privilege and taken the responsibility to be a father.

6-21 – In the Early Mornin’ Rain…: This opening line from a Gordon Lightfoot song describes how our day started. Because of the rain we got a bit of a late start but still made 80 miles to Princeton, MN.

Constant Companions: Our constant companions on the trip have been the birds that have shared their songs with us. Robins, red tail hawks and red wing blackbirds seem to be everywhere. The Meadowlark took us across eastern Montana and western ND. There is never a reason to be bored on a bike as there are almost always birds to watch and listen to.

Crossing the Mississippi: Today we crossed the Mississippi on a county road that did not have a sign indicating the river. I found that odd. Nevertheless the scene was beautiful and it felt good to cross another major continental drainage.

Katie’s Friends: Tonight three of Katie’s buddies picked her up to take her for a homemade dinner in North Branch. We are really happy that Katie has such good and wonderful friends. Mary Elmstrand brought us some fresh picked strawberries that were the best I’ve ever had.

Changing of the Guard and Gratitude for our Guardians: Tomorrow morning we pick Tom up at the MPLS airport and tomorrow night we drop Lisa off at the St. Paul train station. This is our last changing of the guard. Without Tom, Lisa and Gary to shepherd us along we would never be able to make this ride. They all have made a big sacrifice to be with us and we are forever indebted for their generosity and help. We will miss Lisa greatly but are grateful to have Tom back on board for the remainder of the trip.

On Wisconsin: Tomorrow, if all holds well, we should be crossing into Wisconsin sometime around noon. We have had a great time in Minnesota but are looking forward to families and friends in Wisconsin.