Stillwater Minnesota to Pepin Wisconsin. 70 miles. 2222 miles from the Pacific Ocean. the rest day at the Larsons recharged my batteries. I started out the morning from Stillwater in overcast sky. about five miles out of town a cloud open up on me. about the time I got my rain gear on it was done raining. as I approached the state line the clouds dissipated in the sun started to shine. I crossed into Wisconsin at Prescott and sang “when you say wisconsin you said it all” as I crossed the bridge. I had breakfast in Prescott and then began my climb out of the river valley on a full stomach. my legs had not seen a good climb since Bismarck. they began to complain about halfway up the first of many bluffs. after couple more of those steep climbs they seemed to remember how to do it. the Great River Road follows the countryside and then back down into the river valley at Bay City. about halfway to Bay City there was a sign that said ” pie”. I pulled in and had a piece of fresh rhubarb pie ala mode. the wind was light but in my face most of the day. the road was mostly smooth with wide shoulders. lots of motorcycles and convertibles with there tops down. at Bay City I stop for lunch and a nap. then another long climb out of the valley immediately followed by a fast downhill to the river. I stopped several times to water up as the afternoon temperature reached 90 degrees. orange and yellow wildflowers seemed to fill the roadside. at one of the scenic overlooks, a bald eagle passed overhead from his perch up on the bluff. I rode the last 20 miles with Lake Pepin on my right and the big beautiful Bluffs of the Mississippi on my left. this is God’s country for sure. it is nice to be back in my home state.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone
Welcome to the “Coulee” region. They may still have the “bluff to bluff” ride from Lacrosse to LaCresent. We used to ride to breakfast and then take the long climb up “pancake hill” trying not to lose our pancakes! Happy trails and welcome back.
Hey mike, we are back from our little vacation, the kids had a good time, Jess and I still think u bike dudes, the ones without motors, are the greatest sorry the stay at our place didn’t work out.
Mike and Jessie Bitz, Ogilvie Mn
Hi Mike, Isn’t it amazing how we Badgers can appreciate Wisconsin’s beauty, even after all the grandeur we see around the U. S. ? Wondering where you are today and if you thought about our invite to stay before you head for your southern visit? Let us know if that can work – you may have missed it back in the comments. Take care, Carol & Dick
Ralph Wilford Samuelson (July 3, 1904–August 28, 1977) was the inventor of water skiing, which he first performed in the summer of 1922 in Lake City, Minnesota, just before his 19th birthday. Samuelson was already skilled at aquaplaning—standing on a board while being pulled by a powerboat—but he hoped to create something like snow skiing on the water. Lake Pepin, a wide portion of the Mississippi River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, was the venue for his experiments.
Very nice to meet you Mike! Unfortunately you saw me at a low point (very low haha) but it was great to have some company for the last few miles of my trip. Good luck on the final leg of your trip!
-jesse
Shammoo
Good to hear you have coasted into your Wisconsin home safe and sound!
Just tried to call your home number and as most of us have done…. land lines are a thing of the past.
Rumor has it. You are out heading out for the final leg on Monday. I wish you the best in the completion of your journey.
Stay SAFE my friend!
Shammer