Minnesota to Wisconsin

It's back on the road again after that enriching weekend in Minneapolis.  Two days of super sun and rolling hills, trees and the Mississippi.  Then a day of rain.

Also Eagles

The mood has certainly lightened since Minneapolis.  But the workload is about to increase dramatically (OK I'm repeating myself, but it's true).  But there's still the fun of the ride.   Yesterday we had a lovely bit of back road riding, pretty car free and loads of farms and rolling hills.

Actually the prevalence of farms is quite something.  At any one time across farmland you can make out at least 6 or 7 different farmsteads with their grain and fertilizer silos.  After the sparsity of much of the west it's quite a difference to see so much on the landscape.

Anyway, had a brilliant decent down into Wabasha (The home of Grumpy Old Men) then a quick jaunt into town to look at Eagles.  Fantastic.

This morning we left the hotel at around 7.38am in rain to head towards Le Crosse, WI. Due to inclement weather a decision was made, of sorts, to head down the highway to try and get there as quick as possible in order to prevent dawdling in the rain.  After about 16 miles a few of us in the back group decided to stop for a warming coffee in Minneiska.  And just on time to, as we strolled into the bar of the coffee shop so did half the town, well there must've been  least 15 other people there excluding the waitress.  We were treated to some super home made rhubarb pie by Linda for which we are eternally grateful.  

I also had a nice chat with a gentleman whose name I neglected to ask, or remember even if I had done.  He grew up in the town and was telling of how it was quite a vibrant little small town on the edge of the Mississippi.  But when they built the 4 lane highway 61 we were travelling down it required the demolition of 2 streets and all the houses and businesses therein, which pretty much called the end to that town which on the sign as you enter informs us that it now has a population of 111.  Kinda reminded me of the Pixar film 'Cars' as have many of the smaller towns along our journey.  He also advised me that if I ever wanted a really wild time I should check out Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  Boy did his eyes light up, though he may have stated that he damn near died from alcohol poisoning, the memories have stuck firm.

No pics, as my camera's still broken from the last time it rained, remember?  In fact I'm still kicking myself for not grabbing my SLR to get some portraits of the locals, ah well, I'll have to rely on memory.  And maybe some of Sarah's pictures. 

The weather was still mostly wet.  On the highway.  Nearly on the Interstate, but a quick diversion found ourselves on a bike track near the river.  Then the track seemed to kinda end.  But we soldiered on.  A bit of an adventure alright.  We may have diverted from the original ACA route so diligently researched by Desmond.  As he was carrying his bike over the mud I pointed out that this may be adventure cycling, though not set up for his Pinarello, he pointed out that it's at least light enough to carry out.  :)

So we made our way into Le Crosse, and back out to our motel which is in the rain and a bit far from town to research.  Which is a shame as just looking for a video to add some illustration to this post just found this:

Damn... looks like I've found my state then.  It's gonna be busy...