Sept 28 day 15

It was a fast day today we covered 57 miles in just over 5 hours and had an average of over 11 miles per hour.  Given that I many WAHOO moments so there were also a lot of "Oh GOD another Hill" shouts out too.
The ride was along state Hyway 35 most of the way.  This put the WI limestone bluffs on our left and Mississippi River lapping the road on the right. 
Here is a picture of the lock and Dam 8.

Note how the dam in the center of the picture looks pretty much level even though there is suppose to be a 11 foot drop.  We watched a whole tree pass though the dam. 
Just here David saw his first barge up close.  Here is a picture of it.

Notice the pile of coal, I would assume the coal is going to one of the power plants up the river. 
Here is a bonus picture looking north at the upper Mississippi refuge.

Wildlife is picking up considerably, yesterday we raced a deer down the road as the area next to the road was flooded.  Today we saw a flock of pelicans, Canada Geese and plenty of ducks.  But what was really cool was the bald eagle landing right next to the road.  David tried to take a picture of it but it took off before and the picture looked like clouds with little black points.

Talking about the photography Dave does has a problem.  We currently have two pictures of his feet, two pictures of his packs, three pictures of the ground and several of his fingers.

One truck passed within 1.5 feet of me and made me a little nervous but Dave said I was OK.  The shoulder on the road was great but at times a little rough and narrow.  On the narrow shoulders when a truck passes you the suction from behind the truck speeds the bike up 1-1.5 miles per hours.

Thankful for Today
Today with the river next us all day and lots of history plagues next to the road it was beautiful ride.  The Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge created in 1934 was easy to appreciate.  I am therefore grateful for the foresight of the people who passed the laws needed to protect this resource.
Love and kisses to all.
Allan

PS Dianne I still appreciate you too! 

Sept 27 Day 14

Well yesterday I finally found a hotel that I could post all the updates from the last few days, so better get reading guys.

Today it was chilly in the morning and David and rode into town for a Kwik Stop breakfast of coffee, breakfast sandwich, and donuts.   It was cheap but not a sit down quality.

After breakfast we started down the road but David had to stop at the Frank LLoyd Wright home in Fountain City, so he could take pictures of it.  This small town in WI is an interesting place to find a design home from the turn of the century, it shows how important this town one was.

The ride was simple with good shoulders in the early part of the morning.  We found the start of the pay for use bike trail and started off on it.  When we reach a stop the trail is closed for all public use we had to stop and discuss what we were going to do.  Due to all the flooding we decided that the best route would be to follow St. Hwy 35 to the next crossing.  After 3 miles we reached a road that looked that might reach the trail so we started down.  A woman was getting her mail and we asked if we get to the trail.  She said, "maybe the fields were flooded yesterday, But today it might be possible."  So down the road David and I went after about mile of walking we gave up and went back to highway 35.  We then followed the road all the way into Onalaska an stopped at bike shop for direction.  The owner said the trails though La Cross were flooded so our best bet was too follow 35 all the way though La Cross and stop in town for the day as the campsite would be flooded.  So we are currently in a La Cross hotel (Welsh Hotel) and thankful for being close to the route again.  We had selected the WI side only for the bike trail and they are all flooded and closed.  So we spent the whole day with large trucks right next to us.  One driver beeped his horn at us so I gave him the one finger salute, he did not stop to discuss his opinion with me.

Here is a  picture of the flooding next to Highway 35. 

I am most upset today, as reported earlier my camel back hydration system (water bag) broke yesterday and I can not find a replacement bag.  So today I at I found a $25 bag and bought it.  So with great regret I thought out the Camelback.  This bag made it across the country with me but I can't find the bag to fit it so away it goes.  The new one is easier to put on has more pouches and more modern but I will the old bag.  Please send your notes and flowers to the landfill for La Cross I will miss the burial so only those close to old bag need send flowers.

Here is a picture of the river from LaCross.

Weird stuff on the Road
Broken scissors
Arrow Carbon fiber shaft
Dresser
A pair of Pliers (buried in asphalt)
One rattle snake (not moving fast)

Thankful for today
Yesterday while David and I were recovering for a short period of time, a man on bicycle stopped to talk and visit.  It turn out he was a 75 mile loop as it was his 75th birthday.  It is people like him that make me glad to be alive he is a guy that is still going it just makes me happy to, shake his hand and wish him a happy birthday.

Sept 26 Day 14

Sept 26 Day 14

Last night we invited to a tent site next to us to have some Smore and how can a person say no to that.  We were camped at State park overlooking Lake Pipen and here is Dave overlooking the Lake.

Woke up to chilly morning and started with a shower to try to warm up some.  Then I cooked some pancakes and coffee.  The coffee was so good we brewed a second pot afterwards.  The down hill out of the camp could have gone to 40 miles per hours but there was a stop at the bottom kept me riding the brakes all the way down keeping the bike speed to only a double WAHOO, but as it early I did not want to wake anyone so I only whispered them.

The ride today took us to Wabasha all the way on US 61.  There was plenty of shoulder but a few of the RV on the road seemed to crowd me a little for comfort.  We crossed over to Nelson from Wabasha, it was a long bridge that was under repain and therefore the shoulder was a lot more narrow than I would have liked.  I had forgetten how big the limestone bluffs were on Wisconson side of the river.  The small towns are fun to ride though see all the old buildings. 

Today the weather was sunny and chilly.  The sun seemed to bring out all the motorcycles for a last ride or something like that.  There must have been at least 10 major rides that passed us and an uncountable number of single riders.  For some reason they did not often wave maybe it was too cold to see us or the hand up would have frozen their fingers.  Water was visible in all the fields close to the river.  The river is to rise another 7 feet in next week and end up 2 feet above the flood level.  I am not sure what this will mean to the ride but I thing the mashland ride scheduled for tomorrow will not be happening. 

Here is a picture of the Mississippi as it leaves the lake.

 

Weird stuff on the Road

Tennis Ball

Paint brush

Lots of Banana peel. (more than normal trash amounts)

Thankful for Today

The smores were great last night and they deserve a call out for their kindness.  But all people have been kind to us and the kindness of the world to me needs to be grateful for.  When you review how people have provided support I must admit that my wife Dianne gets an extra loud call out.  She is home watching my dog, picking up medications, taking care of the family stuff and paying my bills.  So here it Dianne I am grateful for you and promise to think of you tomorrow.  Love you Allan

Love and Kisses to all

Allan and David in Fountain City.

Sept 25

Sept. 25
Day 13
Woke up to a cold cloudy day, slept to the grand old hour of 6:30 hardly and then started the morning routine of washing up and packing the hotel did not have coffee early so I started out low of caffeine and therefore slow on packing. When Dave was finally ready we walked to the local Perkins for breakfast and coffee, after the coffee I was feeling much more lively.
The Bike shop in Hastenings is closed and the replacement repair place is in a fishing store and works only part time. Today was not part of his part time working so David and I decided to bike to Red Wing to repair his bike. A change of plan but that was the closest spot. It was raining when we left Hastenings and Dave made fun of the fact that old shell absorbed water while his coat beaded the water.

At the bike repair place I found a new shell designed specifically for biking as it fitted well I bought it for 30 dollars. Dave bought a new wheel and should stop the spokes breaking. After the repair we had pizza at an “all you can eat buffet” and started off for a Frontenac State park. It had a huge hill to climb that I again proved I could walk up.

Filling the Camel Back with water this morning I blew it. Putting more water into the carrier than into the water holding bag. This resulted in water leaking down my back all morning until I figured out that the rain had stopped and I was still getting wet. I explained to Dave I was just demonstrating a new water based cooling system. He noticed that the outside temperature was only 45F and asked if I was really that warm. I just hope that the new bike coat will keep me dry when I make this mistake again.

The ride was great today with limestone bluffs on both sides of the river clearly visable. This provided some great views. But the climb up to some of the rigdes were so steep I gave up and walked. The roads were generally good but there was one streach where they provide a wide shoulder with rumbble strips places so we had only 8-10 inches of space. This was impossible to keep straight in and a couple of times I shook the bike up pretty hard. Once when I was trying to read the map I drifted over to them and the bike shaking really woke me up and made me give up reading for a while. We had a couple of WAHOO down hills reaching 30 miles per hour.

Weird stuff on the road.
Our second tooth bush
A spoon
A broken builder's level

Thankful for Today
The rain stopped early and that was something to celbrate and say thanks to the powers that be. But the veiws that the careful routing of the roads so we can enjoy them is really something to be thankful for, all this beauty around and people speed down the so fast that the never seem to notice how beautiful everything is.

Love and Kisses to all and to all a good night.
I am sleeping outside let us hope it will slightly warmer than the last couple of days has been.

Sept 24 Day 12

Sept. 24
Day 12
Dinner was Mexican food right next door which was good a thing as it was raining when we walked over. The restaurant was having free salsa dancing night and they spent sometime trying to recruit David and me to try. We did not and went back to the motel Dave was dosing off while the TV was on. The rain finally stopped while we slept, the total acculation of rain was more than 7 inches in some parts of the state.

City and river veiw of St Paul

I fell asleep quickly even though a little sore from the fall. In the morning my legs were not greatly swollen. But I must be grumpy as my shorts were wet and pantyhose were still more than damp but less than sopping wet. I wore the wettest stuff today so they would dry while I wore them and they would not get the other stuff wet.

With great reluctance we agreed to stop at a McDonalds for breakfast. I therefore did not my Caffeine fix with breakfast and therefore was grumpy all morning. At lunch we stopped and had more coffee and as the saying goes, “Cheer up thing could be worse, so I was more cheerful and things got worse.” We hit road construction and that required that we hike beside the road for almost a mile. I was not happy again and I taken a right to be just pissy tomorrow until I have decided that it makes up for the problems I have had for the last couple of days.

We biked to Hastings MN today and covered a distance of 44 miles, we would have done more except that Dave is good at figuring out where we were when we left the hotel. We would have done even less if I had of listened to him, but instead we followed the route and did some extra PUDs (for those of you who do hike this translates to Pointless Up and Downs) Dave pointed this out to me after we completed the last PUD while I was trying to breath and he smiled while he was resting waiting for me. I hope my breathing will become more deep as I progress.

David broke a spoke again late in the day so tomorrow we hope to have it fixed at the fishing store that does bike repair on the side.

Weird stuff on the road

Circular saw straight cut angle
BBQ grill warming rack
more than 12 electrical connectors
4 to 8 deers on one side of the road
A tree across the road (dead fall)

Thankful for Today
The temperature did not rise above 59F during the ride all day and the wind was gusting to 30 miles per hours. The good news was the wind was only into our face for about 1/3 of the ride so I am grateful for having a tail wind during the rest of the ride. It was such a good tail wind at time that we topping hills doing 10-12 miles per hours. Then on several downhills we peaked at over 25 miles per hours once I even saw 33 miles per hours. That what I call a triple a Wahoo call out.
Love and Kiisses to all

Sept 23 day 11

Day 11

The worse of the storm that was coming was to pass over last night, this morning it was a steady drizzle which turn into a steady rain and then became a heavy rain, finally deciding to become a down pour, just when we thought it was over. Overall for the day it was wet varying to very wet. There were two reasons for moving, one was cost and the second was fear of arguing over Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil.

Here is a picture of the Minniaplois skyline showing how wet it was.

Just after crossing the river we found ourselves on a bike path with a wooden bridge that had a turn at the end. Just as I started the turn my front wheel went left, my rear wheel went right and I went down. Some minor road rash on my elbow, hip and knee. I noticed Dave seem very concerned about the bike and picked it up before lending me a hand, maybe he is still mad about the ribbing for paying so little for his bike repair.

We found a hotel in St. Paul after riding only 20 miles. The room looks like a laundry with all our clothes out dring. Arriving at hotel the owner knew we wanted a room and would not budge on the price so althought we are a lot cheaper than yesterday, I still believe we over paid for the room. I believe that all the packs are empty and we are hoping to have most of it dry tomorrow.
The hotel does not have a breakfast so packing without caffine might become a problem, I am reserving the right to be gumpy. If my bike pants and pantyhose are not dry I will be grumpy.

Dave's rain clothes look better than mine as my coat let all the rain right though slowly but his appeared to keep dry from the waist up.

In all honesty the views today were assume. The Twin Cities have done a great job of creating a bike paths with plenty of views of the river, lots of small parts and tonnes of history in town. So even with fall I have admit the ride was worth the fall.

Thankful for Today
I am really thankful for humor today, even through the lousy weather today Dave and I joked and laughed about it all day. Even tonight in the hotel room with the wet clothes everywhere we are still laughing about the problems we after faces. So thankyou god for creating laughter and jokes.

Love and Kisses
Allan and David

Sept 22 Day 10

Sept. 22 Day 10
Dave and I sat around a fire last night trying to stay warm while finishing the last of the of our whiskey.  While doing this we watched the people fishing and they pulled out 4 nice bow fin or dog fish from the river.  We then climbed into a the tent and tried our hardest to stay warm all night. 

In the morning it was cold and we climbed  out of the tent and hit the showers.  As I do not have a towel I decided to use my pants and then wore them dry.  It worked well until I had to pack them damp.  The sun was shining when I left the campsite so hoped they dry this afternoon.  After breakfast I decide it was warm enough to put away my shell, at lunch I decided to it cool enough to take it out again.  I needed it as later it started to rain.  At the end of the ride at Coon Rapids dam we started to look for a hotel.  With the rain it was cold we selected the Holiday Inn Express which is a considerable step up from normal level of accommodations and impossible to think see from a tent.  The bed is even soft and Dave is not muttering about falling into the middle like he did at the last hotel.  The sheets are even white and very clean, I think Donna would approve of the room. 

A funny note on the way to the breakfast.  At the stop light in the center of town we stopped to wait for a green light.  When the light changed I jumped up to the seat and caught my bike pants on the front of the seat.  This resulted in me mooning all the traffic behind me.  Dave is suggested that they may never let me back into town and many breakfasts were ruined as a result of the incident.

Dave broke a spoke on his bike this created a wobble in his riding and slowed him down.  When we checked the book for the bike shops they were quite a ways down so we stopped and asked for direction.  The first place we stopped they gave a direction right to the spot.  Trailhead Cycling and Fitness fixed the bike right then.  They charged Dave a very small charge, Dave so shocked at how cheap the repair was he couldn't even think of leaving a tip.  The cheapskate is now feeling guilty about it and I am ribbing him without mercy about his tight wallet.  But they did a great job and would be a recommended spot for repair in the Champlin MN area.

Pictures of Coon Rapids Dam

Thankful for Today
Today we stopped for directions and they provided perfect information.  This is very uncommon and one must be thankful such good information.  But I am most thankful for the Trailhead Cycling and Fitness for doing a great job at great price.  We have to depend on the people like these to maintain our bikes to finish this ride and with great shops like Dave and I have experienced so far I am most grateful.

Love and Kisses to all
Allan and Dave.

Sept 21 Day 9

Sept. 21
Day 8

I must really be thankful to Rod's Bike Shop he did a great job on the shifter and rack last night. Then while trying to adjust the seat we found the post broken allowing the seat to rotate a little. So this morning after breakfast at the Copper Lantern (rise sausage is a must have there) we stopped back at the shop and Rod replaced the post. Rod's is the place to go for bike repair in St. Cloud. Now I find that I have gears I forgotten I had and bike so smooth on the butt, it is easier to ride and more comfortable when the seat is not wriggling all over place. Dave even suggested that I was changing gears just for the joy of it today. Dave is still giving me the gears about the gears. Rod you did a good job.

 Above is the falls leaving St. Cloud.

We did a short ride into Monticello only 36 miles in record time of 3.5 hours. We then stopped at an antique mall as Dave could not pass it up (my thought) or for directions which is Dave's position. Lunch came next at the corner cafe as suggested by the antique dealer. This was a local spot which served good food, with friendly staff but did require a tie, a suit coat or dress shoes.

We then we found the local RV camp and set up camp and modified the front rack on Dave's bike. The other RV people stopped by and visited all really nice people. One working up here from Texas and the other a local working at the nuclear power plant near by. They asked if we had a heater for the tent and we just laughed. Saw a Great Danae called chief and that made thing of Annie Dog and I miss her but we did not see any cows to yell at for her today.

 Our tent in the RV park.

With the gears working I actually had the bike over 28MPH so without cow I just yelled WAHOOOO, Dave thinks I am nuts but I know I am nuts so it is OK. Yesterday was a little strange as most of the cars passing us were pick up trucks today they were more regular cars. I just hoping they did not a let your 12 drive a pickup day, just like the hunting last weekend.

Road was clean and there was no weird stuff on the side of the road. A little gravel but Dave insists I was so surprised to learn about gears on the bike I did not swear very much.

Thankful for today
Rod great job should get another call out but I promised to think of new stuff each day. Talked to folks and they are doing well so I glad about that too as with all family members. But most of all I feel I should be grateful for a sunny day with no head winds and temperatures above 60F a small thing but thanks god it had to happen some time.

Love and Kisses to all and to all a good night. Lets hope it stays warm.
Allan and Dave.

Sept 20 Day 8

Woke up to a cloudy cold day.  The Super 8 Motel in Little Falls had a pretty poor selection of stuff to eat for breakfast so after I ate one Donut and Dave tried some cereal we agreed to try the supermarket across the street and they had a great sandwich.
When we left Little Falls we stooped at the mansions the lumber barons build in 1890s.  They lived in them until 1989 and then gave them to the city, what was neat was seeing the homes as time capsules of the early 1900-70s as the homes grow and were modified to keep them modern.

We stayed and visited with one of the volunteers of the site and that was interesting as he told us more of the history.  The two homes are on the same site called Linden Hills and over looks the Mississippi.  The white home was build and owned by the financial partner of the lumber side and the green home was owned by the technical owner.  The technical guy spent most of his time in the woods looking for lumber and solving problems, he then gave his home to the partner and moved to his partner and both homes stayed in the family until 1989.  Interesting thing is although these guys had lots of money they tutored students, taught dance and adopted kids from the area.  One of the interesting pictures in the homes was the Dionne quints from Canada. 
Here is the dam that made Little Falls a center in 1900s.  Note even in 1903 they had power in both homes due to this dam.

We finally started riding at 11:30 so we only covered 35 miles due to the head winds and rain we were slow.  David watched the weather yesterday and said it would be 70F today and partly cloudy but it was just wet and cold with no temperature above 50F.  Clearly David needs to be replaced as a weather man for this ride.  There were plenty of other big newer homes on the side of the River during the whole ride.  I just have to wonder how so many people can afford such big homes on the river.  It seems to me the shore of the river and some boundary land should be public as it is national treasure. 
The hotel we choose for the night which is OK for the room and Internet connection but the neighbors are a little shaky.  One of them offered to buy some grass and then offered to sell me some grass.  The problem I have with this is not the use, but the fact somethings I look like a dope head.
Weird stuff on the road
A deer that only ran when the bikes went by after 4 cars we watched go by.
A curtain rod.  (How does someone loose a curtain rod in the country.

Thankful for Today
All day I wimped out and wore my wool hat keeping my ears and head warm.  I was going to name warm hats something to be thankful for.  On the way to dinner (Cod which was great), we saw a bike shop and stopped just see if they were open.  They were open and Rod came out and asked us what we wanted.  I explained the problem I have been having shifting he said he could fix it.  I assumed he would do it tomorrow but he did right then.  During the repair the back rack was broken and again it was replaced right there.  So here is to Rod Bike shop in St. Cloud Minnesota a great guy and excellent mechanic.  My thoughts are with you and your wife.

Allan and David

Sept 19 Day 7

I do not care what people think it was only chilly last night but I want a hotel tonight I am tried of the cold.  Beside I am thinking that another day without a shower could be a little anti-social.  There was a little rain last night so this morning it was warm enough that we actually packed the gear before riding to town for a hot breakfast.  On the way past we saw the local Loc Nest Monster here is the picture of it.

Yesterday Dave wore his coat and gloves all day and I just kept my kept my coat on with just my normal bike gloves.  By the end of the day my hands were just numb.  Today Dave started with the same stuff as did I, about 30 miles into the 52 we did I took my coat off.  Dave was a wimp all day with both his coat and glove on.  Me I am tough just like my son. 

Along the way we passed a historic maker for Fort Riddley a fort build in 1830s to keep the peace with and between the Indians in the area.  Then 5 miles on the current fort where we stopped and visited the fort's museum.  It was great rest and the display was great showing how Minnesota armed forces contributed to the all the wars the US was involved with. Here is a picture of what I think I should be riding in as I believe the I would gain more respect from the drivers.

The ride today was one of contract.  First was a ride down to Brainerd that was 13.8 miles.  I am glad we did that today and did attempt to complete the ride yesterday it would have killed me.  Then a ride through town on bike paths and quiet city roads.  Then we crossed the Mississippi river and ride beside a divided road.  As there was no wind we sailed along occasionally being dragged by trucks that got us to 17 miles per hour.  These 18 miles had the highest average David and I had so far.
The high today was only 52F when we stopped to warm up with a hot coffee we discussed the weather with the quickie store operator.  I said the book indicated that the average temperature was suppose to be 70F and it was cold today.  The operator said my first mistake was believing the book and it was always this cold and hoped it would colder soon so hunting would be better.  So I better be out of the state before the his wish comes true as I believe it is.

Thankful for Today
I should be thankful for the lack of wind that allowed such a simple fast ride but I feel I should be thankful for what others did for us. We should all be thankful for all the veterans have done for and are doing for us.  So lets all say thank you to our vets today.
Love and kisses to all
Allan

Sept 18 Day 6

Woke up to a really cold morning although there was no frost on the tent or on the ground but there was a mysterious white material on the picnic table. David and then voted to go for breakfast at the dinner where Dianne and I had breakfast and talked to the locals about the Blue Healers. Lots and lots of coffee and stuffed hash browns were to delicious. Back at the camp the RV across from us asked if we had a cold night. Yes it was cold we informed them and the woman seemed to laugh at the thought of the two old guy without the brains to get out of the cold.

It was the day to see wild life here is David picture of the quails yesterday.

 On the road there was a deer that jumped up and started running right beside me.  I hope I instilled a fear as much as he scared me as today was the start of bow season, so things will only get worse for him as the season progresses.  Then there was a very lively skunk that showed his butt to Dave as he passed but faced me as I passed.  I guess we did not scare him too badly as he did not spray, thank god.
Talking about hunting, at sunrise we heard a lot of gunshots.  I figured I had gotten the information about bow season wrong.  Late in the day while visiting with people I found it was take a child out duck hunting day.  A one day season for under 12 year old kids.  Note sure how I feel about that I hunted when I was young so I guess it is OK but it does show we are north.

The big news of the day was the horrible roads 13 miles of gravel.  I was celebrating yesterday today I was being very careful.  Then of course there was the ever present headwinds.  At times it seemed to blow me backwards towards David. We stopped for a snack by the side of the river and here is picture of me sitting down thinking how sore my butt is.

Well we did reach Crossby and I was glad of it.  The town has a little campground right by the side of the lake and David and I selected a tent site. Then off to town and antique shopping there were plenty of stores but David did not see anything he needed. I found out the snowshoes I have are worth $85, my fathers old duck decoys are worth something like $100 and best of all the old saw David put up in the local museum was worth $90.  What does it mean when stuff you grew up with is sold as collectibles and antiques,  I am getting old or something like that.

We bought a bottle of red wine and pasta for dinner with beef and watched the sunset while eating dinner.  The only interesting stuff around the campground was watching kids tip over picnic tables by jumping on them and observing that lunching and taking boats out of  the water is difficult if do not have a wife as good at driving a boat as Dianne is.  A beaver and several  ducks swam by and that was about it for the day. 

Thankful for Today
Breakfast was great and really I could call that enough.  But I can't as that was yesterday's thing and beside I have something better.  I thankful I did not fall on the gravel.  I hate that stuff with narrow tires my bike goes left then right, and fishtails everywhere.  I rode slow and steady and we made the 13 miles of gravel with mishap something  to grateful for.  (Just for the record when the last of it done I got off the bike and pissed on the road just to show it!)
Love and Kisses to all
(Please stop sending cold air from Canada)
Allan and David.

Sept 17 Day 5

Sept. 17

Day 5

It is always wonderful to wake up in a hotel room and find it poured rain last night. It means that hanging around the Forest History Site looking at a old museum and thinking about what like would be like making a dollar a day. Then when we reached Grand Rapids it so late we decided to hotel rather than camp. Then the front desk recommended dinner across the street where all you can eat Rib night that came a free beer, let me tell it is the simple things that make life worth living.

We started with low expectations for the day wet and dark overcast sky ment I work a coat. With in 3 miles the sun was shining and the coat was too hot so I took it off and immediately became just uncomfortablely chilled. Dave wore his coat all day the wimp.

The wind shifted last night again just as start to change directions too and guesss what it was head wind again today.

I was really nervous today as today was the day we were to hit the 6.7 miles of gravel. Dave and I talked about this last night and decided that when we saw the road we would decide and decision point there was a sign saying road work ahead. We elected to chance it and worked out great as there fresh pavement just where the gravel was suppose to be. I was quite happy.

Along this 6.7 mile ride on smooth flat pavement we saw in the distance a person on roller blades. Herre in the far north 30 miles from a town a roller blader is zooming along towards us. I expected a young kid turned out to older guy just out enjoying the smooth road and lack of traffic.

Today we saw almost no traffic once away from grand rapids and no trailer were moving along the road but still lots of boats on the side of the roads many for sale. Note how nice the road is and how there is now just a hint of color in the trees. Best of all note no gravel.

The choice was even better as the road ran right beside the river and senery was great. Only one weird thing we saw was a covey of Quail.

Now it is 4:30 Dave and I rode to town to get some fresh meat and onions for dinner. We have finished collecting firewood at the campsite and I am just finishing the blog. This is now the second time I have camped here. Di and I camped here when we paddled down the Mississippi together.

Thankful for Today.

I was happy in the hotel and was pleased to see the wet ground confirming we made a good choice last night. But I think I will be most thankful for the great breakfast of donuts, sausage and gravel and waffles. This might seem a little shallow but I am know finding I am starting to dream and plan the next meal before I finish the one I am on. I also noticed this afternoon my pants falling down while collecting wood so I will be thankful for a full breakfast this morning even though that is simple.

Sept 16 Day 4

Sept 16
Day 4
Time is flying and wish the trip was longer already I am starting to the end as we completed the ride right on time. I amazes me that after a bad day like yesterday just makes me want to stay out longer and not worry about the world as we accomplished what we set out to do!
Here is a picture of Lake Winnibigous (a guess at spelling) for those that read the Mississippi Howl and I still believe this was the closest I will ever come to death in a canoe.

 We cooked dinner and breakfast in the hotel room (really on the front step of the room).  Dinner was spaghetti and breakfast was oatmeal and cornbread so we did eat well.  But even this well feed we stopped after only 11 miles for a second breakfast, that was great David had a ham and egg breakfast sandwich and the ham was a 1/2 inch thick.  Me I had one egg and french toast with a sausage Patty that was equally over sized.  Over the second breakfast was rated as good idea by both David and I.
Then off we went again into a headwind again.  I beginning to suspect that David is bad luck a third riding day with a headwind hardly ever happens to me.  Tomorrow is the big test we turn south tomorrow if the when we do we have a tail wind then the headwind was keeping the rain south of us and Dave can stay.  However if we have a headwind I will have to sacrifice him to mother nature.
Then today we also saw a lot of indication that big wild animals tend to view the road as toilet.  Not sure why but there was a lot of bear, wolfs and moose scat along on the side of the road. 
No real counts today as there was limited sites.  Here are a few things:

1. More sheriff election signs than for any other posts (if signs count William will win north and Bush in the east part of the country)
2. A happy face with a Indian feather sticking out of the top
3. Three dogs that came out to chase us
4. Lots of antique cars at the hotel tonight
5. One toothbrush

So long as we are on complaining type of things David thinks we over paid for the room last night.  He said Donna would have ranked the room as good as the "North Bay Dolphin Motel", David said it was one step better than camping I would rate it as warm and dry with inside showers and a bed, good enough (without a view).  They were working on the roof when we left and if we had wanted to sleep in it was would have been difficult.  Also when leaving we had to watch for falling debris from the workers on the roof and a large dump truck in front of our door.  Aside from all that it was slice of heaven!

One odd thing from the morning ride was the cars that past us by.  Up to noon we were on country roads and out of the 25 cars (or so) 20 of them were towing boats behind them. David said they all were heading south for the winter. 
Saw lots of cows which I always yell at for Annie dog.  David claims I am just weird, as if he did know that before. 
Thankful for Today.
Lots  of thought here today. A call out has to go for the second breakfast place The Gosh Dam Place in Winni, it was great. But even though it was great.  I decided to be most grateful to some sunshine on a cold day.  David wore his coat all day while I "toughed it out" in just a bike shirt, I must say it was warm enough in the sunshine that you did not want the jacket on but were just a little uncomfortable without it.  So when the sun hit you full force it was great.  Well love to all normal suspects, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!  and thanks for the support.
Love and Kisses to all
Allan and David

Day 3

Sept. 15

Yesterday the weather channel in Bemidji said it would rain today and be cold well for once the weather man was completely correct. God blew cold air in our faces and spat on us during the entire ride so it was cold and tough peddling. We made it to Bena and found a small motel just off the road with a campsite outside with rain and wind or with a upgrade cost of only $25 for me it was no choice. So here I am with the computer plugged in but not linked to the Internet but at least working well enough to type the blog with warm hands. Dave is relaxing and sipping his whiskey while I am slaving away on the blog but someone has to do it.

So here we on the shore of Lake Winnibigous in a warm room with hot running water, heat and power.

As to interesting things today I saw the following on the road:

1. 
   
   Two really slow squirrels
2. 
   
   One really slow sunk
3. 
   
   A pair of socks
4. 
   
   A bike wheel
5. 
   
   A really fast Coyote
6. 
   
   Unknown little mounds in the ditches
7. 
   
   A few small white things falling from the sky
8. 
   
   One really big fish (Picture to follow)

A few bad things did happen. After a really good ride for 20 miles we hit a construction area and I had to suffer a few miles on loose gravel. The picture below is sub-titled here any swear word you would not say in front of your mother while she is having a really bad day. 

David pointed out that this could be worse, he could have the narrow tires. However to get to the motel we needed to ride down half a mile of gravel roads and I made it 0.49 mile till I hit a small amount of loose sand and that stopped me and before I could get my shoes out of the clips I found myself laying on the road looking at the owners truck from the bottom up. He stopped and made sure I was OK and looked worried about it being his fault maybe he was just trying to not to laugh too hard about me going down. So that was the day.

Thankful for Today

After spending a few miles on the gravel I have to thank all the people that maintain the people that maintain the paved roads. You have realize how much work is required to keep these roads up. Someone closes the joints that open up with tar, applies the asphalt, cuts the grass on the side of the roads, paint the lines, or just keep the signs up. I have to say thanks to all the DOT of any states I will be riding in. Thanks to all of you and thanks to all people that love me, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!

Love and Kisses to all.

Allan and David

Tuesday Sept 14

Day 2
Woke up in the little tent to rain at 6 am tried to ignore the till around 6:30 when there was finally enough light to see and the rain stopped.  However it is possible we were trying to sleep off all the Scotch we drank last night too.  Got out of bed, washed and started packing.  This was the first time to really load everything on the bikes.  Well after making a good start of cleaning the tent up to keep all the stuff dry move on to trying cook breakfast.  That was easier as all I needed was to boil water for Oatmeal, and coffee then cook some corn fitters. Dave did not complain so the food must have been OK but maybe he was also just recovering from sitting around the fire drinking scotch too.  So after eating loading recommenced.  The upshot of this is that we left the camp grounds at 10 Am not a record start but OK for the first day.
Right out of the camp my bike would not shift gears and David was hitting the packs with his feet.  We rode a little adjusted stuff and rode some more, stopped and adjusted stuff again and maintained this pattern for the day.  In it the end it took just over 4 hours to reach Bemidji  covering a distance of 39.5 miles according to Dave (Me I do not know as the computer stopped working on my bike).  Overall I pleased with the way things went we should get stronger and better organized in the coming weeks but for a first day we did all right.  So long as we can maintain this effort it should be OK.  Tonight after much thought we have selected just a beer, best not twist the tiger tail too often. 
The trees are just starting to change here and one can feel the nip in the air but the temperature of 60F is just a little too warm for a coat but a little to chilly without one.  We fought a headwind all day and hope tomorrow it lets up a little but unfortunately it looks like rain. 


Bemidji is the home of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox so here are their pictures. 

 Thankful for Today
I am thankful that I was not hit by a car like the dead squirrel, flat snake or the turtle on the side of the road.  But that is little thing to be thankful for and beside a little too obvious.  A better thing to be thankful for is the fact that I am doing as well as I am.  For that I must send a big thank you to the all the Cancer support and treatment I have gotten at NIH.  So although I am not complete and I am sore as hell a lot of the time at least I have enough parts that still work to let me do fun stuff.  Just to be be safe I am still thankful for Dianne and Donna because Dave is such a big help to me. 

Love and Kisses to all and to all a good night.
Allan and Dave

Monday Sept 13

Day 1
Monday September 13
This is the first day of the trip and I am eger to start.
We started driving Sunday morning. In Chicago the traffic was stop and go because of the Bears game . Of course the traffic is always bad in Chicago. I believe the traffic is the reason there are only two type of people living in Chicago, crazy people and people who are becoming crazy due to the traffic. (Of course Jenny and Maggie are exempt from this classification system) In the city we had a good lunch with Jenny and caught up on all the news. Those two grils someday may save the world someday, but for sure they are making a corner better. We them finished driving to St Paul where we decided to sleep for the night. Having had a huge breakfast with the family and big lunch with Jenny and Maggie we did not even have a dinner. This is where Dave and I made our tatical error we left the keys with Angle and unfortunatel the wiskey in the car. This resulted in my good side saying OH Al you drink too much and going without will be good for you. The bad side kicked the good side of Al till unconsous and bad side the fell asleep of exhaustion, then both sides had a good night sleep.
After arriving at the park David and I took the bikes for a short ride to test things out.
Here is a picture of the two of us at the head waters.

Thankful for Today

I have always had to admitt that having a family and loved ones is a blessing. But today I with the adventure adhead of Dave and Me I should really be most thankful for my Wife and Sister. My wife understands me well enough and loves me enough to let me do these crazy trips, providing me with the oppertunities and space to do them. Donna has been gracious enough to let me borrow Dave for a couple months to accompany me on the trip. It is wonderful luck of having caring people like this around me that has always made being alive a blessing enabling the joy of life and sharing of the happiness of this short journey possible.

Saturaday Sept 10

Busy day today.
Friday it being the last day home I made Sushi for Dianne then prepped food for my parents, my sister and David. 
Then this morning I rushed though getting last minute things like some beer for the guests, snack food and some stuff for Dianne after I am gone.  Tried to scan all the maps of the route but the printer ran out 2/3 of the way though.  Then while trying to find the new toner package on the Inter-net the family arrived and ordering the toner was out of the question.  David and I started work on his bike mounting racks and packing bags and loading the car for the drive up.  Just at the time to leave for Andy's place for dinner we finished the last detail. 
We then rushed out for dinner loading the prepped foods from yesterdays and driving to Andy's.  Dinner turned out great Angle cooked Indian food and I added a the rice, a beef dish and grilled vegetables. 

Thankful for Today
My family is what I should be most thankful for.  They gave up a whole weekend to drive David down to start the ride.  It is great to have a family that wants to help me achieve all the crazy stuff I think of to do.  Donna had it exceptionally hard not as I am taking her husband for the next month or so, and she had to spend more than 20 hours in the car just help me out.  So here is great big thank you and I love you all Donna, Mom and Dad.  But special thanks to Donna who is giving me so much when we see each other so seldom, I love you all. 
Allan

Random thoughts with a Week to the Start

Labor Day Sept. 6

Preparation have been going well but I am a little restless and on edge.  Part of the

problem is I am sore the surgery site still hurts like someone hit me hard with a

baseball bat.  I feel it the most when I need to catch my breath.  I am getting better at

catching my breath but at times I lose that then I have to slow down and ease back

on my output.  I am sure I can accomplish the ride but sometimes fear seems to seep

into my soul. 

I have the sleeping gear and tent worked out.  Yesterday I made some cards to give

out to people that want to follow us as we ride down the river.  I just have my

clothes to pack yet.  I am still debating the stuff I will take in my head.  The biggest

question is the coat as that could take a lot of space.  The food just needs to be

purchased and packed I have that plan worked out for the trip.  The first aid kit

needs to assembled and fitted into the pack and I will be set to go.  I have not heard

from Dave for a week so I think his plans are proceeding well. 

In just over a week now I will find myself at the Lake Itasca, the headwaters

of Mississippi in Minnesota and I will have no real option but finish the ride.  I feel that I have

done all that could be done to be ready so I guess it now up to my body and legs to

finish what my mind has started.  

A Short Sunday Ride

Sunday Aug. 29
One of the students in Dianne's Tae Kwon Do school (Mark) wanted to do a long ride today and she convinced me to do it too. As I have to do some long rides it makes sense to get some time on the bike. So I put on my new bike shoes and bike pants bought last week and at 5AM off we went. The early part I was strong and felt good. But at 58 miles my water ran out, the heat increased and my butt was dragging. I got water from from Mark's friend Jeff on the ride with us and limped into the Dairy Queen at noon after doing around 60 mile. Spent about ½ an hour hydrating myself and just enjoying the air conditioning and started out again to finish up the last 14-15 miles. I did finish up but it was slow hard going but I completed the 75 mile ride, everyone on the ride looked better and were faster than me as expected and I have to thank then for waiting for me to finish up, and waiting for me along the way.
The learning from this is as I expected I am not in the same shape I was when I did the other trips, but if keep putting one foot in front of the other I will complete the task, just not as fast as I used to. I have known for a long time that heat I do not do well in and this reinforced this so on the upcoming trip I will have to watch the weather and watch for signs of heat effects. Also I have to thank all the people that provide the support for me, again this is not a new lesson but knowledge that must be remembered, many things I can no longer do alone and being willing to accept help to finish the chores is critical to finishing. I should have asked for water sooner and I might have done a little better but, in all honesty that ride was a reach for me but being more honest might have improved things. I now know I can do the distance and just have to let things recover and face the next challenage when the next test come along.
Preparation is going well. I have route more or less planned out, Dave and I will have to think and experiment during the first few days. Packing is progressing, the cooking gear is out, all my sleeping stuff is out and I have meal plan for two days. So a little more shopping, planning for clothes and some packing and checking and I should be ready.
I am feeling the normal jitters before a trip like this, worried about my capablities, something that happens before all lifes adventures. Less than two weeks and I will be off on the my next big trip.
Hope Dave is doing well.
Love and kisses
Allan