Day 30 "one of the best days yet!" ...plus Day 31

Day 30
Winona, MN to Viroqua, WI
65.7 + miles



With a few exceptions, today was one of the best days yet. Riding out of Winona - gradual climbs with a nice shoulder on Hwy 61.






Best rest stop ever at the Myers' in Dakota, MN. This family saw Big Riders ride by years ago and now they set out a feast for us each subsequent year. They are so generous and hospitable. Just very kind people who believe "since God has freely given, so we freely give to others."





Biked out of MN over the Mississippi and into LaCrosse, WI -> state #7.

After Chaseburg at 48 miles, we had a challenging steep 1.5 mile climb (going 6mph). One great downhill -> topped 41.5 mph at my maximum speed! Large rolling hills thru Wisconsin farmlands and Amish countryside.


Beautiful scenery and challenging hills. Despite my grunts upon reaching the top of the climb, only to see another hill, I really enjoyed the ride!

Viroqua is a cool little town complete with a bike shop and amazing co-op food store. Loved it because I was able to purchase Stonyfield yogurt, fresh raspberries, bulk granola (for a single serving) -mmm! one of my favorite meals!

While at our campsite, we had a Dairy Eating Death Match Relay.


One block of cheese,


one carton of chocolate milk,


and one carton of ice cream.

Todd, Chacko and Sam (the winner from the Kraut eating contest in New Ulm) versus Tim, Andrew, and Jeremy.


Excitement abounded!

The exceptions of the day included falling down the granite stairs at WSU on my way to breakfast (fear not - no injuries) and Andy's bike being run over by a truck at our campsite.

Day 31
Viroqua to Madison, WI
More than a century after getting off route in the road construction on the way to camp.


Beautiful sunset in Madison.

Day 29 - Owatonna to Winona, MN

7/19/2010
Today we had a slight headwind. Felt slow and tired. Rest stops #1 and #2 seemed quite far apart.



Amy stated, "We only have a little more than 1000 miles of riding left!" I agreed full-heartedly. Then she said, "This is the first time she used the words "only" and "1,000" in the same sentence."

Frightening roads as we approached Winona on Hwy 14 - terrible shoulder (if any), winding roads with semis and heavy traffic. It was scary!


Hit the 2000 mile mark today - AWESOME!

REST DAY IN NEW ULM

7/17/2010 -
I am blessed to have such great family and friends. Here are some photos from our rest day and weekend in New Ulm.


My aunt and uncle Val and Steve greet the BIG RIDERS in New Ulm!

Bavarian Blast


cow bell drummer - playing "edelweiss"


Deidre and Kevin dancing the polka


Gnomes!


Kevin and Toni send Deidre off on Sunday!


Charlie and Ella greet their aunt, Deidre, in Owatonna!

Day 26 - A Day in the Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder II

Day 26: Tyler to New Ulm, MN.
86.6 miles

Today we were blessed by a healthy tailwind. Rode 16-22 mph for most of the day.


Toby, Chad and I stopped in Walnut Grove to continue our tour of all things related to Laura Ingalls Wilder. After the tour, we had a consensus that DeSmet, SD offers a much better tour and museum for all you Laura Ingalls fans out there!


Evonne, Deidre, Amy, Sam as the Ingalls Family


Chad and Deidre get locked up the Walnut Grove original jail
(charges: cycling too fast!)


Chad and Toby's first sod house!

DAY 25 - WELCOME HOME!

Day 25 DeSmet, SD to Tyler, MN (yay!) 78.4 miles


Excited to enter MN today! Woohoo!


Good to be in my home state and to know I will soon see my family and friends.

Another nice riding day with tailwinds. Was at our lunch stop at mile 41 at 9am!




Deidre, Amy, Evonne and Sam at the MN state line


When I was a child, I would call this a "knocky down" barn. :)

Favorite Quote: reminds me about the power of sharing one's story

"More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known to them as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence.

Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be a part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.

But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but you truly love them."

--Henri Nouwen

Day 24: A day in the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder

DAY 24: Miller to DeSmet, SD
Total riding 76.7 miles today.
Tailwind present so I hit the road after breakfast and rode the first 41 miles by myself.

Just soaked up the countryside - sunlight streaming thru the clouds. Dark skies threatening at times. Did not stop at the rest stop at mile 20 because I wanted to utilize the tailwind as much as possible. (I have come to realize the wind can change at any moment and after two days of headwinds, I wanted to make the best of Mother Nature's generosity!)

While biking I kept singing "All creatures of our GOD & KING, Lift up your voice to Heaven and sing, OH PRAISE HIM, Hallelujah! Praise, Praise the Father, Praise the Son! And Praise the Spirit, 3 in 1! Oh Praise Him! Oh Praise Him! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"


In Huron, we hit the 1/2 way to DC milemarker. Bridgett had the truck stereo blasting "living on a prayer" - "OH we're half way there, OH living on a prayer..." Sweet! I still have no idea what it means to bike half way across the nation, even though I just pedaled it.

While riding the final 30 miles (give or take) with Amy, Chad, Toby, Jeremy and Evonne, we discussed what we have learned thus far on the BIG RIDE. Jeremy and I spoke of how others stated we are "crazy" for biking across the US. Jeremy stated people say that about a lot of goals - goals that could be accomplished if one were persistent and work on it a little bit each day. Nothing is impossible! I encourage you to pursue your dreams - big and small... the world needs people who are living passionately in pursuit of their dreams! As my friend and colleague Emily Dancer states, "BE BOLD!"

When we arrived to DeSmet, it was not even 1300. I was excited because it is home to Laura Ingalls Wilder! Crazy to think that she too walked these streets! Explored the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum; Toby, Chad, and I also took the tour of Pa's house, the surveyor's home, and school houses!




Super cool for fans like us! Photo caption: "Evonne and Chad model the Laura Ingalls Wilder fashions...must be a rest day for these two women!"

Chad had a great point about how Laura Ingalls Wilder really was just like any other pioneer at the time - yet we are standing here admiring her life, homes, community because she chose to write her story down. The power of sharing one's story is immense and profound! It is both neat and challenging to soak up all this history at the same time. We are in the same world but at different times and in different places on our journey.