Some thanks and some pictures

Since Mike did a pretty wonderful job recounting what our last days have been up to, I'll leave you with some pictures and a few wholly unsatisfactory words of thanks. I'd like to add that as much as I love a good desert and a big sky, Minnesota (at least in summer; nix those -30 degree winters) is a pretty amazing state.

So here we go..

Before I get to the recent thanks, a few I've been meaning to get in somewhere. As an aside: if you read blogs about cross-country bicycle touring, they make mention of how amazing the law enforcement officers are for cyclists. They are not lying. Trooper Scott Mershman and Officer Jay Klopfenstein, thank you for finding us a park to camp out at in Paulding. Officer Dave Wynia, thanks for spending some time with us at the end of a long day to try and find us a campsite. Your help has been greatly appreciated. To Larry and family, thank you for the effort you put forth to try and help me get my bike fixed. To Mike of the Green River Oaks Camping Resort in Amboy, your kindness towards us and to cyclists in general is awing. To Patty for the drinks, pastries, and light-hearted candidness about your wonderful town.

Kirsten and Jake, thanks for providing a near cornucopia of ridiculousness to last me the rest of the trip (go Jake falling back into the lake after getting dressed). Fred for dinner and for providing us the opportunity to let loose and enjoy the 4th. Gary and Putsy for giving Mike a bed and for feeding us both, your hospitality was greatly appreciated (and the seat built in to the shower wall, doubly so). Steve, Deb, Karina; you made a very long and arduous ride seem oh so distant with your wonderful company, food, and (for me at least) a most amazing swim in the lake. Kerry, for giving us a ride to Cormorant and making our painful and blundering repair to Mike's bike possible. Lee Ann, for coming out to Sheila's early enough to meet us and for putting us in contact with your parents. Russ and Lois, thank you for the beds, the home-cooked meals, the home-baked pastries, and for teaching some Northeastern city-folk a part of what Minnesota farming is all about.

Now you have a slight inkling of what Fatman was talking about when he made mention of the kindness of strangers. There really is no bound to the absolute graciousness and generosity we have been shown. I don't recall who made mention of this (Deb maybe?): though I will never be able to repay these people adequately, I hope to have the opportunity to pass such goodwill along.

! edit: It continues. As I was typing this post up, a lady sat down next to me and offered us to camp in her back yard. My mind is officially blown.


In regards to the photos. I pointed this out to a few people I've spoken to. Any and all of the pictures I thumbnail on the actual blog website will, if clicked, link you to our Picasaweb album (you can click that link too). This will let you access the rest of our pictures. I've organized the general album into smaller albums by state. There is a single album of the borders crossed that have signs.


For your pleasure.


Fatman enjoying the Soggy Bottom Boys during our 4th celebration


Gary and Putsy in front of their self-built home


Mike and Shawn from the Green River Oaks resort (Fatman made mention of a roadside donut delivery from Mike)


The King family in front of their US vacation home

To end this post, I give you two views that have helped form my like for this beautiful state.