July 27-28 Alma to LaCrosse, WI

Distance 61 miles, 11.1 mph average, ride time 5:31 time on the road 7 hours 31 minutes, expenses $86.65.

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I enjoyed a hearty breakfast, again at the Alma hotel, of eggs, bacon, hash-browns, toast, OJ and coffee with sales tax and tip set me back a mere $10.75.  With a full tummy I was ready to face whatever challenge the day offered.  The Alma Hotel is hidden gem for sure.

Today I enjoyed my first ride on a Wisconsin rail to trail appropriately named the Marshland Trail.  At first I was a little apprehensive about riding on gravel but it was packed solid and Spirit with 26”x1/25” wide tires had no trouble negotiating the terrain and it was a pleasant switch to ride in a wilderness environment without worrying about motor vehicle traffic.

Old Guy riding the Marshland Trail, fully loaded 110 lbs of bike and gear. NO Problem

Start of Marshland Trail

More of the Great River Trail with signage

Tremplealeau Hotel great food and fun

Big Catfish welcome sign

A special treat at the end of the gravel section I arrived in the town of Trempealeau and yet another interesting old hotel, this one owned by a bicyclist, which served up a some fine vitals.  Too bad, I wasn’t here for the night as they had a live band playing in their outdoor pavilion.  There were also a couple neat signs I thought you might enjoy seeing.

After leaving Trempealeau it was smooth going to reach LaCrosse.  Upon arriving on the outskirts of town I phoned tonight’s Warm Shower Host Ed for directions to his home.  His directions were excellent and the paved trails around town were easy to ride.  Ed wouldn’t be home until after 5:30 so I stopped to take a couple pictures at Riverside Park and still arrived at Ed’s home by 3:00 PM.

Hiawatha overlooking the Mississippi River, Riverside Park, LaCrosse

Eagle sculpture Riverside Park

While waiting for Ed to arrive his next door neighbors came home and we visited for a few minutes, same as Jack and Yvonne in Brainerd, Ed gets quite a few touring riders staying at his place so his neighbors are used to seeing strangers lounging around the yard.  Ed’s neighbor asked where my next night stay would be and when he learned it was Prairie du Chien he said I’d better check on a place to stay there as there was a Blue Grass festival this weekend and the town is packed with visitors.  Sure enough after Ed came home we did an internet search of motels which all were sold out for Saturday night.  This gave me a fret for what to do for lodging there as there were no Warm Showers hosts there.

Ed showed me to my room, a shower and even treated me to a fish fry dinner at one of his favorite restaurants, yet another Hmmm Hmmm good meal.  We then went back to his home and enjoy visiting and talking about our various adventures.  Ed is planning on finishing a tour across the Northern Tier beginning August first.  He had to abort his tour last year due to a bout of Shingles, that’s the second Warm Showers host who I’ve met who contracted Shingles while on a tour.  Listening to Ed’s symptons I hope I never have to deal with that monster rash.

I found it difficult to sleep this night as I tossed and turned worrying about where I was going to stay tomorrow night.  During the night I decided I’d ask Ed in the morning if I might be able to stay an extra night.  Turned out I should have got a good night’s sleep as when I asked Ed the next morning if I might stay an extra day he quickly said yes.  Taking the day off also gave me the opportunity to write my first journal posts of this adventure.  Due to the long days in the saddle I just didn’t have the energy to stay up late to write in my journal.  When Ed arrived home I treated him to a meal at a restaurant of his choice which turned out to have even better chow than the place the night before.  After dinner Ed drove me to a bluff over-look of LaCrosse which was spectacular.  We were so high above the city railroad trains going by below the bluffs looked like model trains.

Overlook on bluff high above LaCrosse

Ed and me on the bluff overlook of LaCrosse

What a great way to end this two day stay.  I should have made more use of Warm Showers hosts during last year’s Crossing America.

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