Day 48 to Duluth MN 7/31/18

13 miles along a beautiful bike path into Duluth where we checked into Motel 6 and then went to Bent Paddle Brewing for a beer and sandwich. Went another 10 miles around town and saw Lake Superior and a couple of boats and lighthouses. Another sunny day. Will head across the river tomorrow into Superior WI. 

Day 47 almost to Duluth /Superior 07/30/18

Did 86 miles today with another slight tailwind and small hills. Had lunch at Subway. Went to Jay Cooke state park (a beautiful area with whitewater rafting) to camp but found they had a water main break and had no showers or water so we went on another 6 miles to buffalo house campground. 

Ford found a cell phone on the shoulder of the road. The person who lost it (Joel) had left it on top of his trunk. Joel called and told us where to leave it. Overall a great day. 

Day 46 to Grand Rapids 7/29/2018 (my flat #5)

Mary fixed homemade sourdough blueberry pancakes for breakfast - delicious! Did 72 miles with a small tail wind (4-5 mph) into Grand Rapids.  We saw two adult bald eagles and one baby poking its head out of the nest. Started to eat at the big fish supper club but then noticed it is a supper club and doesn’t open till 5:00 pm. Hoping to get another warm shower host in Superior for tomorrow night but may stop in a campground prior to Superior as the ride will be 80 miles. Also had my fifth flat from a small piece of metal. 

Day 45 - 7/28/2017 Rest Day in Bemidji

Had breakfast at the Hampton Inn and Ford had several waffles. That afternoon our Warm Shower host Mary gave us a tour of the city and a hike along a trail in a bog where we saw a couple of insect eating plants. We ate at an Irish Pub and had a great time.

Day 44 Friday 7/27/18 to Hampton Inn and town of Bemidji

Had another detour, and some headwinds but a beautiful day and good ride to town of Bemidji. I had to find a UPS store to get some papers notarized for our house sale and we got into town by 2:30 so I had plenty of time. We ate at Bemidji brewing where we had some good beer and food. Hotel is very nice - We will stay at a warm showers host house tomorrow in Bemidji for our rest day. 

Day 43 to Itasca and Mississippi River - Detours, Rain and Headwinds

Rained during the night and tent is wet. Had rain showers in the morning. Saw Mississippi Headwaters, stayed at Hostel in Itasca State Park, where we met a young fellow from Belgium who started at the arctic circle and is heading to cape horn in South America by way of Belize and the Amazon River. He is snow skiing, kayaking, biking, and sailing. He was changing from his bike to a kayak at the hostel. We saw one deer and several deer flies. Now have more trees and a few hills. We had a good walleye Supper at Lobos 

We did 74 miles today with a 16 mile detour. We are now about halfway across the country!! Have 2,000 total miles. Crossed the Headwaters to the Mississippi River several times. Also walked across it - it was about 6’ wide just downstream from where it leaves lake Itasca but I didn’t jump across. River then goes north and around to Lake Bemidji where we are heading for a rest day on Saturday. 

Day 42 into Minnesota

Back up to 1200' elevation after crossing the river in Fargo. Saw about 20 of the 10,000 lakes today. We did 52 miles to Callaway Minnesota and we’re camping in the city park which is nice but no showers or water. Had pizza and beer at the local bar. Will probably have oatmeal in the morning or get a breakfast sandwich and coffee at the filling station - only two places in town for food. Had headwinds, crosswinds and an occasional tailwind today with 10-15 mph winds. Landscape is still pretty flat with occasional small hills. 

Day 41 Leaving North Dakota

Into Fargo and Moorhead 61 miles 

Stayed at warmshowers with Terri & Drew. Wonderful hosts and a great place to stay. Terri made us a huge dinner, quiche, salad, shrimp cocktail, bowtie pasta, chicken and potatoes, plus liquid refreshment. Terri, plays a Baldwin 8’ Grand piano so we had a great time singing Beatle and Eagle songs. Ford even played and sang with one of their guitars. We split from Larry this morning - he had traveled with us the last 3 days. Great guy from Boston.  We may see him again in Canada - later on our ride.  Had a tailwind today so the ride was great also. Met a couple from New Zealand, Roger & Laura, and got some good route info from them at lunch. 

Day 40 into Enderlin

Did 78 miles with a tail wind into Enderlin. Will go to Moorhead across from Fargo tomorrow. We have a Warm Showers hoist there with a free bed and shower. They will even fix supper for us. Larry from Boston is traveling with us and may split from us after tomorrow. We are now down to 1200' elevation. We had a good lunch/brunch in Marion - a small town about 2 miles off our route. Had a great day with the nice cool weather and a tailwind! (And fresh legs)

Day 39 _ Rest day in Gackle

Slept late till 7:30. I slept in the tent last night but will go inside the Honey Hut tonight with thunderstorms predicted. It is nice to sleep a little later. Took down the tent and had oatmeal for breakfast. We (Larry, Robert, Ford and I) walked to the Taste Freeze in town for lunch. They are open from 12-5 on Sunday. Saturday night we ate at Danis Place -    Which is closed on Sunday.  The co-op was also open this afternoon and we got some oatmeal and orange juice for tomorrow’s breakfast. Having a relaxing day and exchanging stories of our journeys.