Day 31 Kendall WI to Sauk City WI

Stats: mileage 61; total climb:1725; total mileage 1509

Since we knew that today was going to be long and hot, we agreed that we would be all about pedaling. Today meant business. None of that other tourist stuff that we are fond of doing. Since Paul is good at taking pictures while pedaling, we should be okay on that front. We left the Shady Maple Inn about 7 AM and began our trek to the southeast. Then came the cows and since Wisconsin is the dairy state, Paul wanted the perfect picture so we stopped.
Nothing was open in Elroy so we just pedaled through leaving the Elroy-Sparta Trail and started the 400 Trail. However, when we reached Union Center, our third flat of the trip occurred. It was an unplanned break, but those things happen.
So then the information about the flora and fauna of the area called like a Siren and what the heck!
And then we got to Wonewoc and they had a bakery. It was just after 9 AM and the sticky buns were gone. Paul managed to enjoy himself anyway.
We simply continued our trip along the 400 Trail-which is named for the 400 miles from St Paul to Milwaukee that was traveled in 400 minutes-until Reedsburg. The Baraboo River was along side the trail and we crossed it multiple times.

Then it was onto road riding again, but wait
So now it's the middle of the day and we have 30 plus miles left and it's in the high 80's. With the scenery and the hills and the greenness,we had a great day of traveling through this section of Wisconsin. Just enough challenge to match the beauty.

And for the very first time since we started our trip .......NO TRAINS!!!!!!! So here's something local.

Day 30 LaCrosse WI to Kendall WI

Stats: mileage: 58; total climb: 772 ft; total mileage: 1448

After successfully getting the bike reassembled and the new, beautiful rim in place, we were ready to ride the rail trails. The LaCrosse River Trail was the first of four interconnecting trails across this western part of Wisconsin. So we left the Mississippi River and spent time with the LaCrosse, Kickapoo and Baraboo Rivers. Paul is obviously happy to be in the saddle and on the trail again!
Even in Wisconsin, we found the inevitable road work. As effective and stylish my vest is, thankfully Robert, provider of the vest, didn't offer those fashion statement pants.
When the LaCrosse River Trail ended in Sparta, we were greeted by Ben Bikin who presides over Sparta, WI Bike Capitol of America. Not only does Sparta have Ben, they also have the Quilt Corner which was open.

The rail trails in Wisconsin require a pass and all the funds collected to for the pass are returned to the care. This new bridge is just one example.
This corn field as viewed from the trail reminded us of home. Thanks to a lot of rain, the corn is quite high.
Each little community along the Elroy-Sparta Trail has its claim to fame. This is the fame in Norwalk.
Along the Elroy Sparta Trail there are three tunnels. The longest is 3890 ft. Note the large doors that must be closed during the winter to keep the water in the tunnels from freezing.

In Wilton, there is a little shop where we stopped for an afternoon goody. This scene embodies two of Paul's favorite things: cookies and being a rail fan. He took this picture while enjoying two other favorites: biking with his wife and eating pie. Our first day rolling in Wisconsin was perfect.

Day 29 Riding the Rails: Williston ND to LaCrosse WI

Mileage: most of North Dakota and all of Minnesota!
At last the train came and we boarded about 11 PM. As soon as we got to our roomette, the bunks were ready and so were we! Right to sleep to the music of a moving train.
Breakfast began early and since we are creatures of habit, we were part of the early group in the dining car.
As you can see, once the bunks are folded up and put away there is only enough room for two people who like each others company.
And in true Paul form, he was able to ferret out a sticky bun.....a nice mid-morning diversion but it is not in the running for best.
Minneapolis-St. Paul was a short break on the trip so we hopped off the train so we could say that we put our feet down in Minnesota. It was nice to be back to green trees, rolling hills and nothing to describe as vast-except the Mississippi River.
At last we arrived in LaCrosse WI. The bike was taken off of the baggage car and now all we needed was the cab to our motel.
And, thank you Mel, the new wheel rim was waiting for us and now Paul can make the bike whole again. Not a bad day although we did not do a lick if pedaling. I guess this is our official, first real rest day!

Day 28 All day in Williston ND

So today began very smoothly. We slept in, had breakfast and left the motel for downtown Williston. It's a tidy little community with many services, but like so many other places it has been hit by the recession. Paul left me at the the Bent Pin Quilt Shop and I was surrounded by what I love most...............tons of great fabric.
And better than that, with people who shared my love of quilting.
In fact I spent the entire day here while Paul was a few blocks away at the Amtrak Station. He spent the day breaking down the tandem and packing it in a box designed for a single.
With an excellent sense of fitting 2lb of stuff into a 1 pound space -and through the judicious use of zip ties- he organized the bike to fit!
At any rate, we were supposed catch a train ride in a car similar to this at 7:09, but for some reason the train isn't expected to be here until 10PM. So we will be hanging out in Williston instead of enjoying the rolling hills of North Dakota. We will let you know how sleeping on train goes.

Day 27 Culbertson MT to Williston ND

Stats: mileage 44; total climb 1307; total mileage 1381

After a great night's sleep, we were ready to roll. Some terrible storms had rolled through the area overnight and now the wind was coming from the north, no longer in our face and the temperatures had moderated. About 10 miles from town, road construction began. This turned out to be very lucky for us because there was a wide, brand new shoulder for us to enjoy. At 15 miles we arrived in Bainville for breakfast. We met a pair of bicyclists who were also going East but at a much faster clip.
The perfect shoulder continued until we reached the state line. At last, we have reached our 5th state and 3rd time zone.
The theme of today's ride would have to be the "Three C-s" which would be cattle, construction, and crude. There was construction for most of our ride in Montana and a good deal of North Dakota.
As we reached North Dakota the rolling hills replaced the flatness and we welcomed the change. Cattle grazed in the fields while oil was being pumped.
The oil industry is experiencing quite a boom in North Dakota. We were never out of sight of a pump and all the motels in Williston and the surrounding areas are full. However, tonight were are in a standard motel with all the amenities and no bearskin on the wall!
And the Missouri River is just beautiful along this stretch of Rte 2. Enjoy.

Day 26 Wolf Point to Culbertson MT

Stats: mileage 58; total climb 640 ft; total mileage 1337

While cycling in eastern Montann
The wind cooled our face like a fan
Though we pedaled with vigor
The bike moved as in rigor
Will we ever escape ol' Montann?

The day started SOP: brilliant-fry you crisp-sunshine, the railroad by our side, FLATNESS and of course a headwind.
We rode about 22 miles to Poplar and found a great place for breakfast. As we arrive, as lady with the authority to say so told us to bring the bike into the bar (since it had everything we owned was on it) and put it by the pool table while we ate. So we did.
The lady at this multi-purpose store donated the fabric I was going to buy so our stop in Poplar would be extra special.
The sun continued to shine, the temperature went up and the road went on. After a lunch stop in Brockton, we left Rte 2 and dropped into the Missouri River valley. No traffic and even better, the scenery changed. For 15 miles we enjoyed a valley flat ride with some very interesting geology.
Finally we got to what was supposed to be our home for the night and they did not have our reservation and they were full (as was everywhere else in town). So the manager made a call to Bob who has a basement apartment which we "rented" for the night. Armed with towels from the motel, we crossed the street and entered Bob and Cookie's basement bonanza. It was perfect for a night-dark and cool. And the bearskin added to the ambiance.
After a delicious taco pizza at the bar/casino down the street, we returned to our lodgings and slept for a record 10 hours.

Day 25 Glasgow MT to Wolf Point MT

Stats: mileage: 53; total climb 1069 ft; total mileage: 1280

SSDD.........same scenery different day! Although this plane parked in the side of the bar is different, the landscape remained virtually unchanged. Rolling hills to flatness, long gradual climbs without any obvious downhill for a coast or at least a few moments of non-pedaling. The railroad remained close by and we could always tell where the Milk River was meandering. The only wildlife we saw today was roadkill and that was varied and gross-actually it's as close to a rattlesnake as I want to get.
And the wind was not our friend today either. Once again it came barreling in from the East. Kept our faces cool but forced us to do some serious work. We always look to our flag to verify the wind direction. That flag always stays put thanks to the nifty little holder that our neighbor Ken custom created.
Yes, I know I always mention the wind, but out here it is a big deal. At home we get bear proof garbage cans. In this part of the world, they have can't be blown away by the wind garbage cans. Check out the size and the special holders. Everyone seems to have this style.
And then the moment of good news/bad news. Bergie's, a great little cafe in Nashua, was open. We had been told by a number of westbound bicyclists that this was a must stop place. Although it was not yet 9 AM, they were sold out of their famous caramel rolls. So 3 Sisters remains on top and our breakfast without their version of a sticky bun was excellent.
As we headed East, we spied some bicyclists heading West. What we had was a "Canine Convention"! Pam and Dale are members of MUTS-a Michigan tandem club and we are DOGS-NJ's tandem club. So we chatted about our trips, advised what to avoid and what not to miss. We barked our good-byes, safe wishes and continued.
By the time we got to Wolf Point, the temperature was at roasting. Yes, it is a dry heat, but it's still hot!
And since it's Sunday and because we tend to arrive late and leave early, the quilt shops in both Glasgow and Wolf Point were closed. Lucky that this country is so big; I will be able to collect enough by the end of the trip for my quilt.

The wheel rim along with pedal power got us safely to our day's goal. Paul has carefully marked all the stress points to make sure it is not getting worse. In less than 100 miles we will be waiting in Williston ND for the train to take us to our new rim and the next part of our journey.