MINNESOTA!
Left Enderlin around 8. Another 40 miles on Rt 46. Narrow shoulder and much more commercial traffic than yesterday, Sunday. Sketchy. Eventually saw this sign.
I was expecting a BIG “Welcome to Minnesota” sign but I guess not for the smaller roads. The Red River is the boundary between ND and MN, from yesterday the creek did not rise. I crossed it but no sign except this. There were some engineers inspecting the bridge over the river. I asked them if I was in Minnesota. Thank god for engineers to give me the correct answer!
A short while later I arrived in Barnesville. What more could I ask for - the first sign I saw was for DQ, one Blizzard coming up!
Bill & Elaine sold the farm to their son a few years ago, but they help out in the substantial vegetable garden. The view above is from the garden looking out over the adjacent soybean field.
Corn, soybeans, alfalfa are the predominant crop here, with oats, wheat, sugar beets, sunflowers, potatoes and others mixed in.
The water tower above is in Barnesville. I am sure my friends at WD 54 will appreciate it!
I don’t like to talk about future rides - it may jinx them, but by mid ride tomorrow I will be on a paved bike trail which I understand extends 150 miles towards Minneapolis. I will be glad to be off the roads for awhile.
At about the halfway point of the trip so ends phase 2 - The Great Plains. Now onto Phase 3 - the Midwest.
Please remember I am also doing this ride as a findraiser for the Granite Falls foodbank. If you have contributed, thank you. If you have not contributed there is still time. Links below.
By the numbers:
Dist - 60.2 miles
Elev gain - 570 ft
Elev Loss - 613 ft
Moving time - 4:49
Nice to have so many friendly folks scattered across the country to take you in and share a little of their lives.... The bike path sounds like it will be welcome.
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ReplyDeleteRegardless of the achievement of crossing the country, I am happy to see the many friends you have and they want to spend time with you. I would love to accompany you
ReplyDeleteOver the mountains, across the great plains and now in the heartland!. V V cool Warren. Again, so glad you tend your blog so diligently. I’m with Wa!
ReplyDeleteI bet that was the best blizzard ever! I enjoying reading about your adventures and the people you are meeting. Sounds like truly wonderful people. Keep up the strong work!
ReplyDeleteYou're Killin it Warren! Wish I could have kept up with your progress, you're moving too fast. Detroit Lakes to Brainerd to Mille Lacs Lake would have been a nice route. Keep on Keepin on!
ReplyDeleteReally impressive, Warren! What a physical and mental challenge.
ReplyDeleteI know that you are up to it. You are a shining example of the spirit of the Ancient Mariners.
Ride safe.
Boy look at that beautiful tank! And right in the middle of a neighborhood as well...miss us yet, haha, we miss you! Safe travels my friend! Loving your blog, Eric and I are tracking your progress on a map of the US...you are Superman in our eyes!
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing about your stay with Bill and Elaine. Their farm is the real deal.
ReplyDeleteAnd now for the Midwest! Great progress, Warren.