July 21Grand Rapids to Palisade, MN

Distance 54 miles, 12.2 mph average, 4:15 ride time, total time on the road 4:35 minutes. Today total expenses $3.50.

As you can see above the road the road today had to be very flat for this Old Guy to achieve an 12.2 mph.  Also noticeable total time versus ride time was only 20 minutes difference.  There were no services along this entire stretch of the MRT, I took a 20 minute break for a snack and review of the map.  I have to say this was one rare day for ease of riding, no hills, no headwind, no rain and no traffic.  What there was was an abundant views of the Mississippi River.  I was amazed seeing the mighty Mississippi as a pristine river not more than a hundred yards wide, guarded on both sides by forests.  One of the most peaceful and rewarding rides for sure.

As I rode into Palisade there was this beautiful well maintained city park immediately on the left side of the road.  I had to take a second look as there were about a dozen vintage motor cars and trucks in the parking lot next to a covered pavilion.  There were a group of folks dressed in appropriate clothing to this bygone era enjoying a picnic lunch.  They were just getting read to pack up and leave but were interested in learning about me and me about them.  They even shared their baked beans with ample quantities of beef in it and left over deserts with me.  This antique car group was from all around the Northern part of Minnesota and their cars were fully restored to original including starting them by crank.  I had never actually scene a car start by using a crank.  Hope you enjoy the following pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Antique car close up

Cranking up the old buggy

My new buddies with the vintage motor cars no more than left the park and a group of about 40 guys and gals arrived via rubber floats on the river.  My best guess estimate almost all of them were in their early 30s.  More friends to meet.  This was the second of three or four runs the group would make from a cabin they were staying at about 2 miles up river.  Quite an entertaining group of friends here in Palisade for an annual get together.  Sure they had a little alcohol but no one seemed to be over indulging and they were my instant buds.  We visited for about half hour before vehicles arrived to haul them all back up river to make another run.  I referred to the rafters as River Rats and they liked that.

I spent the rest of the afternoon writing journal entries as well as trying to come to grips with my home and business life.  I wrote a lengthy piece about about what a train wreck my life has become but decided not to put in my journal, it was more personal therapy than anything else.  What I will share with you is that I compare my ride especially in the heat of this 60 + something years since our Country last saw this type of heat draught to that of an American Indian Sweat Lodge.  Riding in the hot sun for long hours my body drenched in sweat, listening to the quiet whir of my tires on the road, being in direct contact with Mother Nature I can feel the stress of life leaving my body, coming to peace with myself and contemplating what the future may hold is very therapeutic.  Maybe one day I’ll even have a vision come to me as the those Native American did.

In my state of self therapy, I managed to let the day drift until I heard the arrival of the River Rats once again.  Amazing when I looked at my watch over three hours had gone by.  Decided it was too hot to set-up my tent yet as it was too hot.  There was no Chamber of Commerce, Full-time fire Department and it would be Sunday tomorrow (Not a good time to try and stay at a church as service is early morning and most don’t want to risk having a mess to clean up before church though personally I leave no trace being in one when I do stay in a church) so decided this would be a tent camping night.  Thinking I had better go to the restroom before all the River Rats I learned there was no water in the restrooms, not good in this heat.  I normally drink about two gallons of water a day while riding and had emptied both my water bottles and hydration pack sipping on water all afternoon.  It was time to head to the local cafe to get some dinner anyway and feel up my water bottles at the same time.  When I came out of the restroom several of the River Rats wanted to know where I was going, what plans I had made for the night.  When I told them my plan several suggested I join them at their cabin for the night as they had lots of food such as smoked turkey, ribs, brats, casseroles and even a birthday cake as it was one of the gals birthday.  One of the guys went and got Hannah, the daughter of the owner of the cabin, to ask if it would be alright for me to join them for the night.  Hannah welcomed me to join them, gave me directions to the cabin and we were off.  I missed the turn to the cabin but one of the vans in the group saw my mistake and caught up to me and headed me in the right direction.  My last turn to the cabin I even got a charge out of one of the guys had ran the quarter mile or so barefoot on gravel to make sure I didn’t miss the turn.

Arriving at the cabin I was welcomed by Dave, the owner of the cabin with open arms.  Dave immediately told me I couldn’t use the term “Old Guy” to refer to myself as he was the old guy.  Turns out he was only 59 so  retained my title.  Dave showed me around, help stow my bike in the garage introduced me to more kids than I could remember including his other daughter Heidi, her husband Jim, then there was Kelly, Nikkie the birthday girl, “Dirty”, Mark, Matt and the list went on but my old mind just didn’t keep up with everyone’s name.  The bottom line they were a great bunch of kids and I was glad I’d decided to join them as they made me feel good.

Dave's Cabin where the River Rats gathered

River rats gathered around the camp fire

Dave and the Old Guy

Matt is a musician who entertained everyone with folk and traditional songs and songs he himself wrote around the campfire.  The night ended, at least for me, with a fireworks display.

Dave be sure to write me, I look forward to seeing you again.

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