Author: russloomis

I left this morning in heavy dew with 97% humidity. The temperature warmed as I began the rollercoaster hills through farmland.

My route has taken me away from the Mississippi River and into the farms. The roads are quiet and have gentle long climbs with fast drops into the valleys.

New Wine Park is a nice County campground with some nice hiking trails.

After settling in Nancy took me out for dinner at the brewery in town, The Textile Brewing Co. their slogan is “If you brew it, they will come”. Tonight was Trivia Night so we formed a team with two women sitting at the table next to us. We had a fun time and enjoyed great beer and delicious food.

A nice early cool start and enough miles to get me back on schedule made up yesterday’s low mileage.

I crossed the Mississippi River on a tall and narrow grate bridge.

I found a nice coffee cafe on the river bank and stopped in for breakfast.

There are more hills in the miles now.

Monona City Park is where I’ll sleep tonight.

Today didn’t go as planned. I wanted to get to De Soto, another 20 miles farther, but every motel within riding reach was booked full. There aren’t any camping options either.

This town, Stoddard, has a nice city park but no camping allowed. I was able to get permission from the Sheriff to set up a tent for an overnight stay.

I’m glad that I did call the Sheriff, a park official came by at 8:00 PM and told me I couldn’t stay after the park closed. He checked my story and I was allowed to stay the night.

After a wonderful sleep I woke to the sounds of Eagles and Sand Cranes. After coffee and visiting the women’s yoga group that were also camping here I headed out into the cool wind.

In Fountain City I stopped to visit Brone’s Bike Shop, Nancy found this on her way to her campground and suggested I stop. WOW! The perfect bike shop! They trimmed the inventory down to just high end bikes and components. Now comes the good part. This is a bike shop, coffee house, and ice cream parlor!! As I looked around the owner said that bicycles, coffee, and ice cream are the three most important things in life so he brought them all together in his business. We talked for an hour while drinking awesome coffee and a pint of the ice cream.

Sometimes you get the perfect roads to finish the day. I finished up on a road through the Trempealeau Wildlife Reserve to finish in Perrot State Park Campground.

The best choice to camp determines the miles. I’m getting into more hills now. Today had a nice temperature but a bit of wind. I had a nice visit with Nancy when we met on the route as she was heading to her next campground.

I’m now following the Mississippi River.

Tonight I’m sleeping in Stockholm City Park. My campsite is right on the bank of the Mississippi River

Today I got a taste of Wisconsin when I crossed the St. Croix River at Osceola.

I crossed back into Minnesota at Stillwater on a bike trail and met a fellow cyclist, Dan, who once owned a touring company. We rode the trail a few blocks and had a great lunch. He suggested that I continue on the trail to its end a few miles away. This is the point that joins my route or to just continue straight and rejoin my route in Afton.

The State Park Campground was closed this week for bridge relate so I continued to end my day in this nice campground the St. Croix Recreation Park. The host here are a nice couple from South Africa, the offered me some food for dinner, I arrived late and eagerly accepted. The dinner was followed with dessert and coffee. 

A lazy morning, eggs and toast with real homemade jam. I didn’t really want to leave the Bunkhouse this soon but I clipped in and headed east to Nancy’s campsite.

A cool day on nice back roads and interesting small towns such as Sunrise, the town where Richard Widmark was born and raised.

The Wild River Campground is two miles on the Park Road into the woods.

This is a very nice quiet place to stay over a day and replace the chain, brake pads, and rotor.

Fantastic weather, fantastic roads and views. I left a great little town with a great campsite and rode to a dream come true bicyclist bunkhouse.

I am now on the east side of the Mississippi River.

The Adventure Bicycle Bunkhouse. 

It’ll be hard to leave this place.

A late start, waiting for the rain to stop. This is a very nice stretch of the Trail to ride.

Haunted house

Lake Wobegon Trail

Heading to Bowlus

City Park and dinner at Jordie’s Cafe

Cool without rain or wind. Clearing off nicely so this will be a nice sleeping night.

Another long day with 12 miles off route to the campsite. The Central Lakes State Trail is a fantastic route. I really enjoyed the quiet car free miles. Here I met Sid, another 70 year old, traveling west on a three day tour. We had a nice visit and before parting he became inspired to try a cross country tour.

I got off route in Garfield, MN. to head the 12 miles to Nancy’s campsite in Lake Carlos State Recreation Area. A very nice campground with showers. Whoot whoot.