July 23 Brainerd to Sauk Rapids, MN

Distance 74 miles, 11.8 mph average, ride time 6:18, total time on the road 9 hours 20 minutes, expenses today $14.33.

When I walked into the kitchen at 6:00 AM Jack was busy cutting up fresh fruit, had a fresh pot of coffee, orange juice, homemade granola and yougurt ready to begin our day with a healthy filling breakfast.  While filling my tummy with lots of good stuff, Markus and Beth joined us at the table where we continued discussing our planned adventures.  Markus and family were going to ride the Paul Bunyan Trail for two days for a total of about 60 miles, spend two days exploring and then return to Brainerd as their family vacation.  I marveled at this family’s closeness sharing a bicycle vacation what a great way to interact with each other sharing strengths and weaknesses together.

Jack and Yvonne walked out to the garage with me and sent me on my way with well wishes and a big hug.  Thank you Jack and Yvonne.  When you get to Hawaii be sure to continue as Warm Shower Hosts as I may find a way to get there to visit and ride.

Jack had suggested I take an alternate route as there was less traffic and better scenery to view.  What he didn’t realize was my being “Vertically Challenged”.   The alternate route was 7 1/2 miles longer with hills.  Riding a bike with gear weighing in at 110 lbs, the extra miles added an extra hour of maximun energy output for the Old Guy.  There is a positive and perhaps one would say divine intervention or at least that is my opinion.  Midway along the alternate route I came upon the small village of Freedhem where there was a general store with the town’s name.  Walking into this little general store was a step back into a bygone era of the late 40s early 50s.  A true old time general store, with whatever you needed there; groceries, candy, car and farm equipment belts and parts, nuts, bolts, sundries of all sorts.  I asked the store clerk, darn I forgot her name the problem with waiting a few days before doing a journal entry, if they had sandwiches and they did.  They had frozen sandwiches and pizza, I opted for a breakfast burrito and used the store’s microwave to nuke it.  There was a wood bench in the front of the store  where I was able to sit and eat my sandwich while visiting with the gal.  I was almost done eating when an elderly lady Celia came in and asked for the newspaper, visited with her a couple minutes before she left.  When Celia left the clerk told me that was the owner, within a minute a grand old gentleman walked through the door and the clerk told me he was Paul, Celia’s husband.  Paul shook my hand, told me I was doing a good thing for charity and that any food I wanted was on him.  He went on to ask if I knew some local celebrity which I didn’t, guessing it was a TV news guy.  Paul told me the celebrity guy hung around the store for a couple hours to do a news piece and then helped himself to some snacks.  Paul told the guy he’d have to pay for the snacks, the guy didn’t think he should have to pay for it as he was doing the store a favor by doing a news story.  Paul said the moral of the story the guy expected a “Freebe” but had no need for it.  Paul asked me if I believed in God and of course I do.  Well he said, “God takes care of folks needs and he’s taking care of you”.  As a lump swelled up in my throat and tears began to swell in my eyes, I thanked Paul for the food but mostly I was thanking him for his kind words.  Time and time again this past week and even before I’ve been asking myself how is it so many people tell me I do good and yet I have failed to make the one who I loved the most happy.  Paul thank you for coming into my life for this brief moment to reassure me God will provide the answer to my home problems.  After leaving Freedem General Store, the extra miles didn’t matter anymore I enjoyed replaying Paul’s words over and over in my head.  Thank you God for bringing Paul into my life at this moment.

Still riding 74 miles with a fully loaded bike is no easy chore and it took time to make it to Sauk Rapids.  I was about 10 minutes away from my next Warm Showers Host home of Jason and Beth when my cell phone rang.  It was Beth calling to make sure I was OK, still coming and if I needed any help.  I told her I was almost there.  As at other Warm Shower Host homes Beth was quick to welcome me into their home.  Jason was out walking Rugby their shelter rescue dog they adopted when they moved to Sauk Rapids 5 years ago.  Transplants from the Ft. Worth area of Texas.  Shortly after I arrived Jason came in with Rugby, what lover he is and very calm, too.  Jason and I cracked open a couple brewskies and the three of us sat in their comfortable living room sharing stories about life and bicycling of course.  Beth and Jason are enthusiastic about living in Minnesota and love Rugby the dog and bicycling.

While I showered Jason readied the grill and too my surprise and delight was grilling a couple of my most favorite dishes salmon and asparagus.  Jason used a Louisana rub on the salmon which was terrific not hot just right.  Beer, great meal and good conversation with fantastic folks, yea this is why I love my bicycle adventures.

Befor calling it a night I promised Beth and Jason I’d be back to Minnisota to ride the annual Siouxbegone (ride celebrating the Sioux RR route converted to a trail and the NPR Harrison Keeler Lake Wobegone program based on a fictional or not so fictional small Minnesota town)weekend ride with them, hopefully next year.

Did I mention I like old barns? Someday I may create a photo album of them.

Old Guy, Beth and Jason

Follow