Day 50 - Rest day in Escanaba

50 just seemed like a good day to take a rest.

I worked on getting Fancy back into top running condition. Fancy is the name of my bike. I can't remember if one of my girls gave her that name or if Kathy Ginn did.

Anyway, it was gotten from that song by Reba McEntire "Fancy".  There is a line in the song that says" Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down". I thought it was perfect.

Cassie (my daughter) does a great job of singing that song too. Expecially at her wedding! 

Escanaba is a pretty town and I enjoyed my off day here.

Pics:

Escanaba Lighthouse

Unloaded on Lake Michigan ----- Tomorrow I'll get loaded on Lake Michigan:)...Ha! I crack myself up....

Nice street in town

Day 49 Sagaola to Escanaba Michigan

Rain...rain....rain!
Everything I had on was wet today. My rain gear is not doing the job in the heavy rains.
I started and ended riding in rain today. Fortunately it was mostly a flat ride today which enabled me to make the miles I needed to. It was about 73 miles to Escanaba.

I met the another touring cyclist today. It was the first person I had  seen in awhile.
He was from France and going to California.

I checked into the Hiawatha Motel tonight to dry out and warm up. It's a nice break.

Not much to tell today. Just riding and rain.

I did make a video today. I wasn't going to post it until I watched a show on the Weather Channel titled Fat Boys in the Wilderness.

After that, I thought what the heck. I might get to be the next Weather Channel reality show:) HA! I hope you get a laugh out of it. I did! Sniff Sniff. ..

Link: http://youtu.be/0LbPIpEtaas

Pics:

My French friend

Drying gear in the room

Day 48 - Phelps Wisconsin To Sagaola Michigan

I'm trying to get caught up with my blog post. Due to the weather, friends and no cell battery I have gotten behind. So some of this may blend a couple of days together.
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Phelps Wisconsin: Small town big heart.
I left Ron and Joanne's about 6:30 this morning with a light rain falling.

The Northwoods Restaurant was the best option for breakfast,  so I stopped in.
I was the only guests in the restaurant this early but Nancy still had a full buffet ready for the crowd when they arrived.
It was awesome!  I had 6 pancakes 4 sausage links, hash browns, corn beef hash, toast, two helpings of scrambled eggs and coffee. I think I'm going to write a book about the "All you can eat diet". All you have to do is ride a heavy bike all day, everyday. I guess my bike and gear are around 75 to 80 pounds now. It varies a little from day to day with food supplies.

Nancy was fun to talk to while I was eating. On the way out she gave me a shirt from the restaurant so I could remember my visit to Phelps. What a nice lady to meet.

The rain let up during the day but the black clouds didn't look good for the night. So at about the fifty mile mark I started looking for a home. I knew that tonight was going to be a night for stealth camping because there were not any towns near by. Some of the towns up here are just a gas station and post office.

About 4 miles out of Sagaola I found the spot! It was a community park with no community around...Perfect!  I waited till dark before setting up your tent just in case someone came by.  Ony one objection was voiced about my stay. A small squirrel was not happy AT ALL! He fussed at me till finally he wore himself out and moved on.  Setting up the tent in a pavilion is always nice. But tonight it was great!  About 3 this morning the storms rolled in. I even got a little wet under the pavilion and it was a big roof.

Pics:

Me with Nancy

Morning rain in Phelps

Water stop 

Crossing the river into Michigan

Whooping Cranes

Home under the pavilion

Day 47 Manitowhich Waters to Phelps Wisconsin

I started off riding on a nice bike path today.  About 10 miles down the road I stopped in the town of Boulder Junction for breakfast. Great town to come visit again.

The Outdoorsman Restaurant was suggested as a good place to eat. Inside I met Brian and Nancy Apsahl from Illinois. They have been coming to Boulder Junction for years. I really enjoyed talking with these guys.

As I was about ready to leave they told the waitress they were getting my breakfast. I am so humbled by this kind of generosity.

Good riding the rest of the day and I pulled into Phelps about 4:30. I was trying to beat the rain and find shelter to set up my tent for the night. I stopped at the town's museum and Information Center to ask about camping in the town park. No camping was allowed so I had planned on moving on down the road. On the way out of town I stop by the Northwoods bar and restaurant to grab something to eat. Everyone was at the bar so I joined in with all the locals which was nice. We were talking and I asked about camping suggestions in the area. The couple next to me was telling me some of the places not far out of town. Then as I was finishing my meal they asked if I would like to just stay at their house? That sounded great to me! So after Ron and Joanne finished their meal we walked across the street to their place. What a great spot on the lake. The home had been Joanne's mom and dad's for years. I enjoyed talking with them that night and watching the Green Bay Packers beat Kansas City.

Days like this amaze me and seem too happen over and over again. I am very grateful for the friends I have met so far in this journey.

Pics:

Boulder Junction

The source of energy throughout the day

Ron and Joanne Amerling

Home for the night at Ron and Joanne's

Day 46 - Glidden To Manitowish Waters Wisconsin

I'm actually just North East of Manitowhich about 10 miles camping on Big Lake. The ranger said there were three other campers in the park tonight but I haven't  seen anyone. The Loons are singing their lonesome song tonight. 

Beautiful quiet back roads again today. They have designated them as Rustic Back roads. I would say rustic is a pretty good description. One section or road today had the end of a log sticking out of the pavement.

Manitowhich Waters is a beautiful little tourist town worthwhile to visit if you're up in the area.

I understand that the waters of this area are some of the cleanest around and the reason for most of the tourist. 

Pics:

Wisconsin must be the land of 9,999 lakes

Home for the night Big Lake

Getting ready for dinner

My Pepsi Can Stove is working just fine

You can Google Pepsi Can Stove if you're interested in making one for fun. 

Day 45- Birchwood to Glidden Wisconsin

In the 50's starting out today. I'm feeling a little pressed for time right now. That's not a feeling that I want to have. I guess the cool weather is part of the reason for that. I'm looking at my maps tonight to make see if I need to modify my route at all.

I rode a little over 81 miles today. Good winds and mostly flat lake country helped with that.

This is beautiful country. I rode through a lot of national forest today. I saw two DNR trucks pulling those bear relocation trailers and two with the tracking antenna mounted on the top used for tracking tagged or collared animals.

I kept my phone ready for a shot of a bear, wolf, elk, dear or something. I didn't even see a squirrel today.

I'm camping tonight in the City Park in Glidden Wisconsin. This is the best city park I've been in. I called the  Glidden City Hall earlier to see if they would leave the park bathrooms open for me tonight.  The lady at city hall was very nice and told me a short cut for getting here.

If you ever come through Glidden Wisconsin be sure to eat at the Green Lantern Restaurant.  All I got was an ice cream cone but the place was packed and really cool looking inside. I was doing laundry on the next block.

Everyone here as been extremely friendly and helpful. I know....I say that all the time. I'm happy I can honestly say that so many times.

Pics:
Great roads

Beautiful lakes..big and small

Meeting Hall where I'm camping. Sue opened it fore to see the architectural work on the inside. It was beautiful wood work.

Home for the night...All to myself with hot water and a shelter.

Day 44- Cumberland to Birchwood Wisconsin

I started out in a thick misty fog this morning. It didn't really matter. Everything was damp from last night's storm anyway.

Rode into town to get breakfast before heading out today. I look forward to getting a big breakfast and gallons of coffee in the mornings.

There was a tailwind today! It was amazing. It feels so good to be cruising along at 18/19 mph and not working that hard to do it.  I changed my route once today just so I could keep the wind at my back for a few more miles. It meant riding on a state hwy later, but it was worth it. 

Pics:
Mr Hills store. He has owned and worked here for 38 years.

Birchwood Wisconsin is home to Wisconsin best Blue Gill fishing.

My home for the night

Day 43- Osceola to Cumberland Wisconsin

I came into Osceola  for the second time. It's really a neat town. There is a beautiful waterfall in town that reminds me of waterfalls back home.

Quiet country roads today, perfect Americana Farms, cool and breezy. I won't talk about which the breeze is blowing. I think you already know:)

I had planned to stop in Cumberland Wisconsin when I started this morning but not sure about the camping spots.
I was at the local grocery and looking at my maps when a guy (Ed) stopped to ask me about my trip.

Well it wasn't long before Ed had invited me to stay with him and his wife at their cabin on the lake. I jumped at the offer. We put my bike in the back of his cool Chevy Suburban and headed for the cabin.

When we arrived I met his wife Jane. She was preparing an awesome lasagna and steamed Brocoli dinner. Oh, and some Chicken Mushrooms from their yard.
For dessert Jane made some homemade Strawberry Ice cream. ( Life on the road is rough):)

It was great sitting and talking to Ed and Jane. I tired to talk them into getting bikes and hitting the road.

After dinner I went to my tent and settled down for the night. It wasn't long before the wind, rain and lightning started. I learned quickly after storm in Washington to make sure my tent is super secure if there is even a chance of storms. I had it staked, tied to two big rocks and a bench. (Let the winds blow)  This REI Quarter dome is great. Not a drop of rain inside.

I was sleeping good after the wind and lightning stopped. That is until the first howling started. We're not talking little Muffy howling because the ambulance hurts her little ears.

It was Timber Wolves! What an eerie and wonderful sound. I wanted you to hear it.

Here is the sound I heard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNR877AHJAc

There was one that sounded close and others that sounded further off in the distance. It was kind of cool and scary at the same time. (I've watched Jeremiah Johnson too many times).

I actually did go back too sleep and woke up sometime later to the howling again. It was another one of those once in a lifetime experience that I have enjoyed on this trip. The Loons song on the lake just added to the experience.

Just in case you haven't heard a Loon's call, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpvTuMiJq1E

Ed brought out coffee in the morning before I left. I get to meet such great people.

Pics:
Crossing into Wisconsin

Osceola

Wisconsin has a ski resort?

Pretty dairy cows

I stopped, got water, charged my phone and took a nap here

Tent site at Ed and Jane's

My great host

Lake in Cumberland

Day 42- Dalbo Minnesota to Oceola Wisconsin

I know I use the same words to discribe what my day is like; Wonderful, Beautiful, Awesome, Great and Nice. If my vocabulary was larger may be I could discribe my days different.  But it's not so you are stuck with; what an AWESOME day.

I started my day by having eggs, coffee and toast in the Bunkhouse. I turned on the TV to see what the weather was going to be like. As if it really matters.

Cool and Foggy to start the day which felt good. The roads were smooth and I actually got a tail wind for a little while.

I came to one of those (Road Closed) signs today. I've learned that that doesn't always mean closed when you are on a bike. Fortunately that was again the case. There were no workers around so I was able to walk by bike over the new bridge construction. 

I crossed over into Wisconsin for a little while this evening. I went into Osceola Wisconsin to do laundry and then came back into Minnesota road camp for the night. I have permission to camp in a no camping area. I'm in the St Croix River National Recreation Area. It's nice because I have the whole park to myself and the gates are locked. It's good too because I get to sleep in a shelter. Storms are predicted for tonight. 

Pics:

I stopped to watch a softball game and talk to some of the people there. 

An old school

Sunrise Minnesota- Home to Richard Wilmark population 50 

Minnesota side of the St Croix River

Home for the night

Great bath and swimming spot. 

Day 41 - Little Rock to Dalbo

Nice back roads and a cool day for riding.
I forget to tell you about the guy who pulled up beside me yesterday while I was riding down the road. He stayed behind me for a few hundred yards. Not trying to pass just following me. I finally thought ok, might as well see what's going to happen here. So I stopped peddling so he either had to pass or stop.

He got beside me and was on the cell phone. He said don't stop I just wanted to talk to you and couldn't get off the phone.
What a relief!  He drove beside me for about a mile while I rode. He was impressed with my lights on back. He said I looked like an emergency vehicle going down the rode. It was funny we talked till another car came up behind us.

Well,  the goal today was to make it to the Biker Bunkhouse in Dalbo.

This is so cool. I had been hearing about this place from everybody I passed. Donn and Sherry Olson have created a haven for cyclist. Donn flew helicopters  in Vietnam and still contracts for the government. Great guy and enjoyed getting to talk with him.  He and Sherry still find time for all the tourers coming through. I am number 195 this season.

Everything is provided. There's an outdoor solar shower that I would like to have. The barn can accommodate a lot of people. You can even sleep in the Silo if you wanted to. I'm opting for a bunk bed in the barn. Unfortunately I'm the only one here tonight. I'm getting up early tomorrow so I can have breakfast and coffee before I head out. There is everything you need in the fridge. copy and paste link to see video of Bunkhouse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezcyY6BGlik

Tomorrow I cross into Wisconsin.
I've gone about 2,200 miles.
No flats
Great journey.

Pics:

Bunkhouse pics

Looking up in the Silo

Pictures of guests. I passed many of the and spoke with them

My spot

Outhouse and shower

Day 40 - Melrose to Little Rock Minnesota

What a day!
Wake up call at 0230.

Ti had told me yesterday that there were supposed to be strong storms in the area last night. Man was he right.
I woke to the sound of light rain on the tent. I stuck my head out to see what the sky looked like. There were flashes of lightning all around but no thunder. I took that as a signal that I it was going to get bad shortly.

Broke camp and headed for the picnic pavilion and none to soon. The bottom fell out and the thunder and lightning were happening at the same time. I stayed awake till about 0330 and then fell asleep on the picnic table. I moved to the pavilion floor with my sleeping bag about 0430 and got some good sleep.

I got up at 0600 and went to town for breakfast. I look for the café with the most pickups and old men inside. You always get a good breakfast and hear the best lies there.

On the road after some breakfast and good conversation. I had about 40 miles of bike trail today with the rest being nice roads.

Rain and drizzle all day.  It felt good to ride in the rain.

The rain is good but not the wind. I wanted to make it to Dalbo tonight but that changed when the wind picked up.

I got out the map and called a place that was supposed to have camping. Alice answered the phone. I asked about camping and she said that I could sleep in the barn.  Work's for me I said and she gave me directions. Just look for the farm in the curve of the road with three driveways.

What a surprise when I arrived. The farm is used for weddings and events and no longer a cattle farm. Alice showed me around a bit and said make myself at home. I would have liked to of found out more about the place but Alice is a lady of few words and was tired from the event they just finished. She said that she leaves for work at seven but I can stay as long as I like, then she was gone. I did find a website for the farm that gives some information about what they do.
Www.alicesattic.com

I walked around and took a lot of pictures of the place. Alice is another one of those extraordinary people that take no money from the passing bike tourers. She opens her home to anyone needing a place for the night.

Pics for the day:

Catholic Church in one of the towns

Going down the Lake Wobegon Trail

Vermont's not the only state with covered bridges

Riding in the rain

Arriving at the farm

My home is up in the loft

Pictures around the farm

My bed

The loft

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