Great Faces, Great Places

At the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum.

Saturday morning we woke up to 100% humidity in Sleepy Eye. Not the rain variety, just fog. We braved the elements on our way out, riding despite the inevitable rain. It started only about 7 miles into our ride, just sprinkling at first, then downpouring - the kind of rain that stings when it hits. Thankfully it quit only a couple miles later, but it rained enough to completely soak us. We changed clothes in the next town's laundromat and had some coffee to warm up.

Shelby in the corn...

We are incredibly lucky to have done this tour during one of the coldest summer weeks of upper midwest history. While we've always imagined sweating through the hot and humid plains, the past few days have actually been quite pleasant for riding, even requiring us to start out wearing sweatshirts.
Saturday we also went through Walnut Grove, MN, home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and featured in her book On the Banks of Plum Creek. We hit the town just in time for the annual pageant weekend, so there was a big celebration going on in the park.
We spent the night in Tracy after 50 miles. We were suffering some headwinds and general exhaustion. Though we thought about continuing another 12 miles to a campground, apparently the hotel we had called to hold a room for us in Tracy was going to charge us for the room whether we stayed there or not, being that it was pageant weekend and all. The hotel had a pool though, so that was a bonus.

God's Country

Sunday morning we got up and headed to Aunt Mary's in White, South Dakota. More headwinds, especially in the afternoon, so riding wasn't exactly easy. When we crossed the state sign, a couple who lived across the street offered us some water and took our picture for us. About 5 miles later, we were greeted by cousin Jason and Aunt Mary from the other direction, flying American flags and pinwheels out their window for us. As we got into town, they led us in parade-style.

With Jackie, Ted, Jenna, and Kellen Quinn

Aunt Jackie, Uncle Ted, Jenna, and Kellen were in Brookings for Jenna's swim meet, so they drove up to White to meet us as well. Jason's family came out, as did Allison and her fiance Cory. Kellen got a ride on the tandem, which was definitely a highlight of the night. Uncle Bruce grilled us up a great meal, and all around our little family reunion was a great time. It was 67 miles that day.

With Jason, Lacey, Brooklyn, and Aylah Roberts

With Allison and Cory

With Mary, Bruce, and Adam Norman

Post-crash.

Monday morning we tried to get up early to avoid the wind, but it was no use. By 20 miles, we were already exhausted, fighting up to 30 mph crosswinds from the North. Each pedal stroke was a struggle to keep the bike upright. So by Arlington, 10 miles later, we were all about ready to call it a day. Only a mile outside of Arlington, I got sucked into the draft of the tandem and hit the back wheel, then fell off the main road onto the shoulder, then ended up crashing to the pavement on the side of the highway. Thankfully I was okay, just a few scrapes and bruises, but Mom screamed and swore when she saw me fall, and a couple of the good people of South Dakota stopped their truck to make sure I didn't need to be hospitalized. Between the crash and the wind, Arlington was our stopping point, so we set up camp in the park and spent some time at the community library.

My most prestigious university tour yet.

The next day we rode into Huron. Passing through De Smet for lunch, the waitress asked if we were part of the Cycle America group. Turns out, there was an oncoming group of about 50 riders riding coast to coast from the west in 9 weeks (don't be too impressed, they had vans to carry their gear). For many miles we saw cycle tourists on the other side of the road. It's always nice to know that we aren't the only crazy ones out here. Once in Huron, we set up camp at Memorial Park, then met up with Jackie Steward and her family, another NDSU friend. We had dinner at the Prime Time Tavern, a place that only had filet mignon on the menu, but it was delicious.

With Jackie, Joel, Julia, and Jessie Steward.

Overnight the temperature reached as low as 48 degrees. We keep wondering "Where are we?" and "What month is this?" Today was a big day, 83 miles all the way to Harrold, the infamous hometown of my father; the "Community of Progress" as the sign reads. On our way we stopped in Miller to have lunch with Carrie Galinat, Dad's cousin, and two of Mom's aunts, Kathy and Sandi.  Harrold's population may have doubled with the crowd of family we drew here. The fire is roaring outside and fireworks will soon be shot off to make up for the lack of them in Iowa over the fourth.

Fun Fact: Huron, SD, is home to the world's largest pheasant, weighing in at 22 tons, and sculpted by an Idahoan. A true work of art.

Roadkill Report: Bird, Frog, Bird, Bird, Skunk, Skunk, Skunk, Raccoon, Bird, Raccoon, Bambi, Cat, Snake, Cat, Coyote, Frog, Frog, Bird, Bird, Bird,