The solitude of the open road

Last Thursday I rode 90 miles almost entirely alone. Yoni was busy with his friends so I took off alone. All in all, a very uneventful day. Got chased by a few dogs, but I kicked into hig gear and outraced them. Beautiful scenery here in Mn.
We ended up behind a bar on the Rum River. That's all I have to say about that. I just wanted you to know that I pedaled 90 miles.

Remember, all facts, names, dates, and places are suspect. They are as I remember them, not necessarily as they happened.

OK. I want to notify all the licensing bureaus of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota that we pedaled there. We didn't peddle there. Thank you very much Mayree. Senior moment?

We left the Rum River and arrived at Royalton for lunch. Did the usual conversation with the bartender, and he recommended we stop in Swanville. Nicest people in the world. Go to Shooters Pub. This is Friday, 4 July. When we arrived, they had just finished the parade. They actually go around town twice because it is so small and end up at Shooters, of course. You wouldn't believe the welcome. Fred Peterson offered me his whiskey and water and called my bike gay. I gulped it down in one gulp. Hours on the road will do that for you. He offered another drink and invited us to the local annual July 4th party. Almost all 300 people in town attend, including the young lady who is the mayor. So we spent the rest of the day, evening singing, dancing, and drinking. Somesone was always shoving a beer in our left hand while we were drinking with our right hand. They said we could camp there, aso we set up our tents. Later we were invited home to a soft bed and shower by Gary and Putsy. I gladly accepted, broke camp and put my bike in their pickup. Yoni decided to stay and party until morning. Gary built his house with his own hands. He even cut don pine trees, took the wood to the mill, had them notched, and hung as beams in his cathedral ceiling living room. Reluctantly we left after a fine breakfast.

Off to Rose City. There, in a megalopolis of 5 houses was Sheila's Pub. Sheila was alone working the bar. the kitchen, and waitressing. I admired how she moved. NO wasted movements. Asked why somewone would open a pub at the crossroads of nothing. Everyone comes from miles around because there is nothing else. About 5pm, the weekend crowd started to arrive. It did indeed get busy. So I moseyed up to the bar to pay. I forgot to tell you that the people in Swanville decided to sign our shirts as a remembrance. I was still wearing mine. A guy at the bar recognized Fred Peterson's name and asked what was up. We talked for a while with Gary and Leeann. Leann has parents in Glyndon, right on our route and they would love to meet us, put us up for a night. We took the info and asked her to call and warn them we were coming. She didn't. But that's another story.

Off to Battle Lake. Beautiful little town, large lake. Eden, A little piece of heaven. We stopped for a while to enjoy the lake an the cool air. Down the road a piece we made a wrong, turned around, and stopped at the local gas station, convenience store. Enter Steve King. We looked pretty ragged. He invited us home for camping and a shower. Gladly accepted. Met his wife Deb, daughters Molly and Korina. Deb and Steve work as teachers for DOD, teaching army brats. Love their work. Spend 10 months a year in Europe, 2 months in Battle Lake. I think i finally met people who know how to earn a living and enjoy life. We talked and talked and talked.

We camped the next night at pelican Rapids. An uneventul day. Next day on to Glyndon. Yoni called and introduced himself. Leann had forgotten to call. A lille embarassment, but they accepted us as their guests. They are Russel and Lois Bekkerus. They live in a beatiful farm house on a street they labeled Lois Lane. Married 56 years. The lake in back is called Golden Pond. Lovely, lovely people. We talked until midnight, got up at 7:30am and talked until noon. Always so hard to leave.

Now we are in Fargo, IN YOUR FACE naysayers and doubters. Now I must go. Probably be out of touch for a while. We spend the next week riding in ND and then 600 miles in nowhere Montana.
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