The roads in this first section of Wisconsin are as smooth and nice to ride as they were in Minnesota making for an enjoyable ride, even considering the few hills I had to climb.  I especially enjoyed the beauty of the bluffs riding into Alma.

Bluffs along the Mississippi just before Alma

Unlike the previous four nights in Alma I would have to be resourceful to find an inexpensive place to stay.  I really don’t care to pitch a tent and try to sleep in the sweltering heat even the north is suffering through this summer.  My first stop was the Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce.  The gentleman there referred me to an older home that had just been renovated and turned into a B&B but it was full.  My next stop I saw a lady going into the Alma Senior Center and checked to see if I could stay there but again struck out.  Leaving the Senior Center, which was on the main street through town I was passing by the Hotel Alma which was also a local bar and restaurant.  There were four gals sitting out front enjoying a cold one or two and waved to me.  I thought what the heck maybe they would know where I could stay this night without costing a small fortune in this resort town.  One gal spoke up and said sure right here it will only cost you $30.00 which got my attention.  I introduced myself and agreed to the rate.  The gal who gave me the quote turned out to be Crystal the owner of the establishment.  After my introduction she said what the heck you can stay for $15.00.  Now that is more to my budget considering I had to pay $32.00 to camp up by Bena my first night out.  The hotel is 40’s vintage shows it’s wear but the room was clean, had AC something I’m quickly learning many places here in the North don’t have.  I did have to share the bathroom but there were no other guests staying the night so in essence I had the whole upstairs of the place the place to myself.  My tent was still wet from the night before and I was able to hang it out the upstairs balcony overlooking the main drag, wind was blowing hard enough it looked like my tent’s rain fly was a giant tent.  It only took minutes to dry my entire tent, fly and ground cloth.  I then cleaned up, went downstairs and enjoyed a couple cold beers during “Happy Hour” long necks (12 ounce bottles) were only a $1.25 each.  Crystal got the extra $15.00 I saved on the room in beer sales to me.  I then went into the dining room and enjoyed a great fried chicken dinner for a whopping sum of $8.95.  The Alma hotel, if you don’t mind staying in a dated and not quite a 100% condition which I don’t, turned out to be quite a bargain.  Great food, room rate hard to beat and locals in the bar were friendly and fun to visit.  Crystal is doing a great job with the Alma hotel as well as her lead barmaid Marian.  Finally to my surprise and delight the locals did not get rowdy and by about 10:00 PM had called it a night.  I was needlessly worried about not being able to sleep being above a bar for the night but not problem.  If you’re on a budget and want a bargain in Alma, WI you need to check out this hotel.

Crystal, Old Guy and Marian in front of Alma Hotel

Entrance for Pepin Museum. Across street from here is a great place to stop for a piece of homemade pie.

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