July 22 Palisade to Brainerd, MN

Distance 57 miles, 10.6 mph average, 5:18 ride time, total time 7hrs 35 minutes, total expense -0-.

By 6:30 AM I had most of my gear loaded back onto Spirit when Dave came out of the cabin and invited me in to have breakfast before leaving.  There were a few of the youngsters up and moving while Dave and I visited over breakfast and coffee.  Before I knew it an hour or so had slipped by.  In reluctance I had to say goodbye.  Dave walked with me to the driveway and I was off.

Today wasn’t quite as flat and fast as yesterday but too difficult.  I enjoyed following Ole’ Miss and see her continued growth in width.  Saw a few more deer today, very light traffic and before I should forget to mention it the roads in Minnesota are quite smooth, most with wide shoulders and light traffic flow.  A real joy to ride in Minnesota so come up and enjoy the big North woods and beautiful and tranquil Mississippi.  A few of the sights along this section of the MRT.

120 year old barn still in good condition but need of a little paint

When I Stopped to take this picture the gentleman who owned it said his family built it 120 years ago, he’s the third generation, and is built better than anything they build today.  Aside from paining once in awhile, which it needs but he’s too old to do and it costs too much too hire someone these days, all they ever had to do was put a metal roof on the place.  I thought to myself wouldn’t it be great to stay here, paint the barn for the guy in exchange for room and board for the duration but alias I’m an old guy, too.  Sad as I was getting ready to ride on he said his daughter had no interest in the place and it would be sold off once he passed.

Corn crop in Northern Minnesota is doing much better than in the rest of the Country

Ranch entrance, look at those racks all harvested on this land the owner told me.

Lawn art in yard sitting right on riverbank of the Mississippi

A wagon for a flower bed is pretty cool

Tonight I’ll be staying at Warm Showers hosts Jack and Yvonne.  Jack had responded immediately to my request to stay even though he had five other riders from Illinois who would be there the same night.  He even sent me an email with printed directions and map as well as letting me know he had read the Life Profile Adventure Cyclist had published and been on my website.  Talk about making a guy feel like a celebrity and wanted.  Jack you made my day.

I was the first to arrive at about 3:00 PM, Jack met me in the yard, helped stow my bike in the garage, aired up my tires, even put my riding shoes away as I forgot and left them outside.  Jack introduced me to his significant other Yvonne.  They were high school classmates who got together a few years ago.  Actually, Yvonne was working on organizing their 40th Class Reunion coming up real soon.  Jack showed me to his office where I’d have to sleep tonight as the other folks got first rights to the beds.  That was fine with me it beats pitching the tent any day.  Then Jack set me up to take a shower while Yvonne did my laundry.  A sweet set-up for sure.  After showering we sat out on their back deck over-looking the Mississippi River, snacking on homemade salsa and downing a couple cold beers.  This is the life.  Unfortunately for Warm Shower Guests to the Brainerd area Jack and Yvonne are retiring, selling their beautiful home and moving to Hawaii.  Yvonne is actively seeking folks in the Brainerd area to be Warm Shower hosts.  There is a new paved Paul Bunyan Trail running almost a straight line 105 miles from Bemidji to Brainerd.  Jack had suggested I take it but I wanted to follow the twisting course of the Mississippi so I rode 240 miles to get to Brainerd.  My backside thinks maybe I was a little too zealous in wanting to go “EFI” on this adventure.   Every F Inch (I’ll let you use your imagination as to which “F” word to use here).

The Illinois family arrived about sevenish and Jack and Yvonne welcomed them with the same enthusiastic welcome as they gave me.  Jack prepared a Thai dish for dinner and a great salad.  Then we all sat around talking about the adventures we’ve been on for the end to a most enjoyable day.

L-R: Front Rose, Isabell, 2nd row: Yvonne, Jack, Old Guy, Peter, Beth and Markus

Yvonne, Jack and Old Guy

Yet another great day!

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