Elroy to Stoughton Wisconsin, 68 miles, 2428 miles from the Pacific Ocean. I pack up camp happy in the early morning light. The heat and humidity has already greeted the day. I think about jumping the fence of the pool one more time but then decide to hit the road. My body vibrates with excitement of getting home and Willie seems to want to go fast this morning, I remind him that we have a long day ahead of us and he settles down into a comfortable pace. The last part of the trail to Reedsburg is called the 400 Trail. It is beautiful as it follows the Baraboo River through the rolling Wisconsin countryside. Bugs are everywhere so I need to remember to keep my mouth shut. Little bunny rabbits jump to and fro across the trail in front of me like they want to play chicken or Frogger. One of them runs between my front and back tire without getting hit. A close call for me and bunny and I think about how fast the bike will stop with a bunny in the spokes. I stop for breakfast in a little town of Lavelle and meet a couple other day bikers. We chat for a while and then I’m off to Reedsburg and the end the Wisconsin bike trails. At Reedsburg I stop to pick up some maps for the final leg home. I stock up on water, ice and bananas. The climb out of Reedsburg over the Baraboo range is long and hot. Willie is making noises I have never heard before. It sounds like a bad chain or spoke or something worse. I start thinking about possible cracks in his carbon fiber frame or wheel and my engineering mind goes to work with the “what ifs” like a DFMEA. The noise disappears after the long climb and then reappears on every hill. My body is soaked with sweat and I can’t seems to drink enough water or electrolyte to keep up to rising temperatures. By early afternoon I tell myself that I need to find a cool place to rest. I stop in a little crossroads of Blackhawk Wisconsin and find a church where I refilled my water bottles. Evidently God is not locked up in towns like this. I go into this cool sanctuary and lay down on a patted pew for a nice long 45 minute nap. I have no worries because I know the big guy will be watching out for me in his house. I wake up refreshed and ready for the final push home. But the heat gets to me within 10 miles. I stop for a rest and noticed my hands are shaking and my body is overheating. Willie is now making those noises all the time and there is a thunderstorm chasing me. It’s time to call for help. My son Glen picks up on the first ring. He works in Middleton, but turns around and picks me up at the Missouri tavern which is just outside of town on highway 12 . I’m happy to see him. that is an understatement . Just as we got the bike loaded in the car the sky opens with rain and thunder and lightning. I am grateful to be sagged the last miles home where I will spend the next few days resting and regrouping for the next part of the journey to the east coast.
Willie and I and camp happy are home safely and I have a lot to be thankful for. ,
Willy will get a new rear wheel, chain, brakes, tires, and a good bath. Camp happy will get a good cleaning and some much needed TLC. And I will get some much needed rest, home cooked food, and time with family and friends.
Thank you so much for riding with me on the first half of my Journey. The technical difficulties with my blog seem to be fixed. Sorry for the delay and thank you so much for your concerns about my safety and wellness.
Take care, Freebird

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Pepin Wisconsin to LaCrosse Wisconsin. 75 miles. 2297 miles from the Pacific. I packed up Camp Happy just as the sun was rising over the Mississippi bluffs. I had a quick camp breakfast of peanut butter and honey on flat bread and a fresh peach that I purchased at a roadside stand yesterday. It was so juicy I had to lean over when I ate. I rode down to the lakeside to watch sailboats bobbing in the morning mist on Lake Pepin. Pepin happens to be the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a famous author of childrens books – Little house on the Praire. A story of her life is on the historical marker in town. Willie and I never pass up these markers. The road is smooth and had a nice shoulder for bikes, the wind was in my face, but not much of a factor. By 10:30AM my stomach was telling me it wwas time for some food. I stopped in Fountain City for a burger, fries, and lots of water and ice. By noon I had crossed the beautiful Chippewa River (photo). Purple and yellow wild flowers made it seem like I was riding in a greenhouse that lasted for miles. I stopped at a bike shop for a new speedometer/odometer. I told Mark, the bike shop owner about my good fortune of not having a flat tire in over 2000 miles. About 5 miles down the road from the bike shop my rear tire went flat. make note to self not to brag about my tires. I put in a new tube and was soon back on the road. by midafternoon the heat and humidity had taken its toll on my energy and spirit. I pulled into the little town of Trempleau and got on the Great River bike trail. (photo). And just to my left was the public swimming pool (photo). I paid my $3 and jumped in. ahhhh, what a relief. After a refreshing swim I peddled the last 15 miles toward Lacrosse. That’s where I met Jesse (see post from him) laying on the ground all twisted up with his bicycle with skin missing on an elbow and knee. Not the best way to meet someone, but I guess it was meant to be. Turns out he was not any worse for the wear. He brushed himself off and we chatted until he got his bearings. He helped me find my way into LaCrosse via the bike trail. I was grateful that showed me the way into town since the maps were confusing and missing from the trail side. I rode to Liz’s house (a friend of my daughters and my host for tonight – see photo). I took a shower and then we went out for Mexican food at Manny’s. another great day to be on the bike.
take care, freebird.

Stillwater Minnesota rest day. A sign from above said this would be a good rest day. That sign was rain when I woke up, so I covered up my head and went back to sleep at Larson’s Lodge number 2. Later I helped my friend Rich fix his lawn more and took a long nap while he worked on the landscaping. In the afternoon I had time for a 90 minute massage. Oh, that was so nice. Later we took a picnic dinner down to the river Park and watch the boats float buy. I had a beautiful view of Wisconsin just a acrosss the bridge. It was tempting to walk across and stick my toe in my home state, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I am grateful for my friends Rich and Nancy for hosting me and getting me caught up on my rest and laundry.
Take care, freebird

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Sauk Centre Minnesota to Milaca Minnesota. 80 miles. 2094 miles from the pacific ocean. I’m really tired tonight so I will be brief. I awoke at camp happy to the sound of a Loon calling on Sauk Lake. while I was packing up my bike the sun peeked over the lake (picture) . as I left town the church bell rang 6 times. I was in biker bliss again all morning on the wobegon trail. beautiful scenery including covered bridges, wildflowers, and big churches beautiful steeples (pictures). after lunch the route turned off the trail and into a strong headwind. I cross the Mississippi River and Platte River. both were overflowing their banks. I rode past lovers lane,(picture) but nothing was going on. lovers lane was a north/south road, which makes sense to me. Cuz sometimes a loves goes south too. The afternoon gusty winds took a toll on my energy. I rolled into town after 11 hours of time in the saddle. I checked into the hotel and then went to a local restaurant for big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. and now it is time to sleep. good night all. 🙂
Freebird

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Fargo North Dakota to Fergus Falls Minnesota. 103 miles. 1943 miles from the Pacific. a great day to be on the bike. I woke up early at the Larson lodge, looked out the window at the rain and
went back to bed and covered up my head for couple more hours of sleep. I left Fargo at 7 AM and headed south East. made my first mistake of the day by missing a turn. It cost me about 7 miles extra. make note to self to pay closer attention to the map. once I got the pointed in the right direction I crossed the Red River into Minnesota. I stopped for breakfast at a small general store in Sabin (photo). I noticed the corn is a lot taller in Minnesota and the air is heavy with humidity fromy last night’s rain. the flat North Dakota landscape has changed to beautiful rolling hills of the minnesota lake country. the road snakes its way between crystal clear lakes and small streams. I go through the towns of Downer, Cormorant, and Pelican Rapids and pass several beautiful country churches (photo). I stopped for lunch at Pelican Lake and sat on a pier. A great blue heron walked the shoreline searching for frogs and minnows. I was having a day old sandwich, and he was having the fresh catch of the day. on a nearby log there were several turtles and a couple of ducks relaxing in the afternoon sunshine. I don’t know what the conversation was about but it looked like they were friends sitting on bar stools at a local pub. sometimes I let my imagination wonder – really
I don’t know if it was yesterdays rest , Morgan’s delicious banana bread, or the nice tailwind that gave me energy to do another century today. I didn’t start out thinking I would do a hundred miles , but the day went so well it just happened. tomorrow I will be on the Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon bike trails. over a hundred miles paved trail between fergus falls in saint joseph’s following the old railroad route. I am looking forward to a couple of days without any traffic.
Take care, Free bird

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