Thursday, July 24, 2008
Minneapolis
We can say that the eastern part of North Dakota redeemed the rest of the state due to the hospitality of the folks there and a slight downhill. Minnesota started off a little iffy. It may have been because of the continued presence of the wind, or maybe because of the trains that insisted on following us and waking us at 3 in the morning (the town of Staples had 75 trains pass through a day) or maybe it was the felon who we camped with in the local park. Yes, you read that correctly, we spent an interesting night in a town park outside of Hawley, MN with a guy who was biking 90 miles to Fargo to turn himself in because he was wanted. He said that since he had lost his job, he had nothing better to do, he may as well turn himself in, get sent to Bismark for 4 months, and play frisbee golf. Needless to say, we kept a close eye on our gear and bikes that night. We have added a few new items to the "what wakes up Jeff and Matt early in the morning" list: roofing workers, dumpster truck, and local police wondering why there are tents in an area where they never see campers. Good thing we were camped out behind a huge rock on which was written "We Support Our Troops" and Jeff had his military id that night. We have battled the winds for a few days more and are in the comforts of Minneapolis. Our friend Dan Mullarkey's cousin Patti and her husband Rob took us in, let us get totally clean, took us out for some good Minnesota seafood, and are even loaning us their car. Don't think we're cheating, we are just using the car to run some errands, not drive back to DC. Jeff broke a tent pole which has to be replaced and Matt needs the latest issue of People to keep up with Angelina and Brad's twins. On to Chicago for some brats and baseball.
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3 comments:
Did you notice how the folks in West Dakota beeped and waved when they passed you on the road? I found that whether in car or on bike and at first thought they mistook me for somebody they knew. After a while it became problematic to try to wave and control a loaded bike; maybe they wanted to see me tip over in their rear-view mirrors?? They meant well.
Speaking of old news, and how could we forget, this is the time of year for church festivals and covered-dish dinners (you are still in that territory), and county and state fair season. Watch for signs, ask the locals, make sure you have your share of Midwest grease in your arteries. Did you give your new friend your addresses? He'll probably want to do some touring of his own after the novelty of state-sponsored disc golf wears off. I was cycling the other day, faced impressive headwinds too, so can empathize with you; one shouldn't need to pedal while going downhill. Thanks for the photos, especially the Dakota sign; The Man is everywhere. If you want a nice diversion, cut across Wisc'n and catch the ferry from Manitowoc to Ludington, Mich, (home of the Luddites?)a delightful 4 hour cruise on the last coal-fired boat on the lakes that allows you to avoid the chaos of Chicagoland. Of course you'll be middle of nowhere when you land but that's part of the adventure, isn't it?
Use a napkin or tissue, not your sleeves. ~ TeamNo-See-Ums
Damn guys, I was just in chicago this weekend! I caught a cubs game Thursday night. Wish I would've known you were going to be in the area and we could've linked up at some point if our schedules overlapped. Keep it up. Looking forward to hearing your stories.
-- Watts
Greetings, fellows! Watching the weather from here it looks like you are in a storm front but we hope you are following it instead, riding the cooler air we are sure is out there. Somewhere.
If we stay true to form we should be giving you travel info about 1/2day after it's useful...but east of Chicago is the nice little Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a free NPS site at the south end of Lake Michigan and a lovely slice of Great Lakes nature with footpaths and a nature/visitor ctr; ask about Junior Ranger opportunities so you receive your JR badge (get one @ Glacier?). If passing near South Bend you might ask about a dorm for the night at Notre Dame or across the road at the all-women's college - nah, maybe not there. But if you avoid NDU and stay north of the interstate ask about restaurant called Bill Knapps for their double fudge cake, a meal even if you just buy the small one. You're probably paralleling the North Country Nat'l Scenic Trail so if you wanted some exercise you might try that with many trailhead access between where you are and Crown Point, NY. As you cross Ohio there are lots of nice state parks with camping and a couple schools like UToledo and Bowling GreenUright now as a nice diversion you might want to scoot up north to the Straits of Mackinac bridge, which is fun enuff to cross in a car so has to be a rip on a bike; see, if you'd taken the ferry you'd be 1/2 way there already.
Anyhow, as you move east across the flats of northern Ohio we'll see what arrangements, if any, we can make for you two. Don't forget you'll be passing Cedar Point Park, if you like cheap thrills at high prices, and there are no postings against using soap while riding their "lazy river" or water slide rides. We love that "smile" photo, look at it often. Carry clean underwear. TeamCarbo-Load
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