day 20

Da y 20 was a short day - 42 miles from Zumbrota to Wabasha.  We got to sleep in and were treated to a wonderful Deb Vandenberg breakfast.  We set out at 8:30, eight of us, with the three garminites trying to find our way out of town.  The rest of us were too impatient and started asking around.  We set out and finally found MN60, our road to Wabasha.  Our big obstacle was a bridge out on hwy 60.  Not wanting to add an extra 10 miles to our day, we sent Rocket Vanderberg ahead to see if we could negotiate the construction project.  He called with a positive report and we went for it.  We carried our bikes down a ravine and up the other side.  Julie had a hunch we'd give it a try - she said we act like a bunch of 12 year olds.  She's not too far off.  The ride was beautiful rolling hills with nice climbs and descents.  When we arrived in Wabasha around noon, we were greeted by a big group of relatives and friends.  More joined later in the afternoon.  It was so uplifting and we really appriciated their support.  Many showered us with cookies, wine, pies, and all kinds of food.  Most comments were that they didn't expect us to be in such high spirits and looking so good.  A good part of our broad smiles was because they were there with their support.  A Rochester Post Bulletin reporter was there for a Monday newspaper report on the ride.  During the afternoon several familys enjoyed the Eagle Center, which was excellent.  Later in the afternoon we all went to the Stone Barn, an excellent wood-fired pizza place in Nelson.  Sorry we didn't get to the blog last night.  We were having so much fun we ran out of time.  With so much family there, most of us had the pleasure of a real bed in nearby motels.  Julie had Pearl to herself. 
Roe

Day 19

I was so looking forward to yesterday,coming into Faribault and seeing my grandsons Hunter, Hudson ,Hayden and my daughter Katie.  They were cheering and running along side of us as we came biking into town. It made my heart flutter. I talk to them almost every night and to see their faces was a rush. To see Nancy was extra special--I love my family so much!!  They also had cake and sandwiches for us. It was such a proud moment. All these things we do seem so important but at the end of the day it is family and friends that keep us moving forward! It was really fun to have my sister Mary and Gary as a personal escort as we left Faribault.  I love my teammates and we keep each other focused and motivated--Jerry.

Signing on Julie;

Day 19 was in MN. joined by friends and family.  It was truly a delightful day.  The weather was fabulous once again.  The guys started the day with 11 riders and added two more as the day went on.  We went from New Ulm to Faribault where Jerry met his enthusiastic family!! We served up sandwiches once again.   OK It is NOT Grinders Deli but a very cheap imitation!  Susie you set the bar way to high for us!  First no homemade bread.  Second no smile from Susie!  We do miss the folks back home!

 We pulled into a parking lot at the edge of Zumbrota and just a few minutes after the riders arrived my phone rang and it was the TV station trying to track us down.  They were not far down the road and were there with in 10 minutes.  The Rochester Post Bulletin is coming to Wabasha today.

 We stayed in a camp site that was down a long gravel road so we had to shuttle the riders.

When we finally arrived we were met by more family members, neighbors and friends.  The night was a total reunion!!!   And much to all of our delight the whole Ulwelling came Kate, Zak, Dillon, Janelle, Pat, and Kate's friend Mark. They came bearing gifts from Kate's garden and Janelle's fabulous Tabouleh!!  We were showered with gifts from bagels to cream cheese and beer and wine.  It was very much appreciated and would give anyone the WARM FUZZIES!!!

 It was a late night visiting and kabitzing about the things we've seen and the workings of Pearl.  So that is why the blog was not posted until this morning!  We look forward to today as we have more family & friends awaiting our arrival in Wabasha!  Today will be short in comparison to yesterday so it should be an early arrival. We are estimating just before noon or so.

Julie

  

Photos for your viewing pleasure

Just want to show you some of the guest riders that joined us today. Mike Tischer, Sean Mortenson, Sam Skogeboe,Ron Gilbert,TimTorgerson and his friend Gary, Eric Vandenberg, & Greg Storey.  The news crew from KAAL came today at the end of our ride.

We hope to be adding more photos tomorrow!!!

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Stay Tuned!

day 18

What a day!  Volga SD to New Ulm MN - 140 miles.  We're in Minnesota!  We cruised here with a slight tailwind and help from strong young legs - Eric Schindler, Greg Storey, and Tim Torgerson.  I thought this would be the first day of the journey that I used only my middle chain ring - (that means no hills to you non-bikers).  I was good until mile 139 when we had to climb a steep short hill to get Flandrau state park.  We used US 14 until we got to Tyler MN.  Then we got onto county highways, which were much more enjoyable.  It seemed like corn fields on the right and soybean fields on the left for a good part of the day.  The temps were very comfortable for the most part.  Julie met us for lunch and treated us to watermelon in the afternoon.  We had heard Deb Vanderberg would meet us at the state park with a scrumptious dinner and we knew Shells brewery was near the end.  Something to look forward to when we were past mile 100.  We were not disappointed.  What a feast - prime rib, shrimp, corn on the cob, spuds, sausages, onions.  Along with copious amounts of Schells and wine.  More guests, more riders to join us tomorrow.  Dave and Lilly caught a ride home with Jan Fox.  Dave's pain meds ran out and he was ready to get off the lumber wagon.  Julie has the whole bed to herself tonight.  It looks like ten of us will hit the road tomorrow and we should have a big gang to meet us in Zumbrota.
Roe

Camping info for New Ulm

Just for some information about where we are staying in New Ulm as Dee had mentioned. We are going to be staying at the Flandrau State Park in New Ulm.  It is only about a mile from the Schell Brewery.

Hope to see anyone who wants to join us for the night.

Julie

Day 17

I have the most excellent duty of being the guest blogger today.  I don't think I could come up with a better day of biking if I tried (perhaps with the exception of adding Dave back into the mix).  We woke early - 4:30 to tear down tents, eat Julie's excellent rendition of egg McMuffins (sorry Ronald - you've got nothing on these), prep bikes and tires, pack Pearl and perform other "necessary" duties before the start of a day of biking.  The weather was perfect - a little cool to start, no wind and warmed up to be mid-80s with a south wind.  Navigation involved a total of two turns.  We bikes on a beautiful stretch of road, sprinkled with little towns and much to Jerry's enjoyment - water towers, which had been missing for the majority of the ride.  We took "whistle" stops about every 5-7 miles to get off the bike for a minute, talk and rearrange the order of riders.  Zack (my son) stopped to say hi on his return trip to the cities - it's great to have kids who will put up driving a father 6 hours each way to bike with his dad and friends (thanks Zack).  Julie picked up Dave at the hospital and met us for lunch with a tasty lunch.  We stopped in De Smet to search for any sign of Roe's father's farm implement store from the dust bowl era.  We couldn't find anything, but stumbled across a DQ so ice cream was the obvious choice.  We're now at a beautiful campground in Volga, just west of Brookings.  Greg Story arrived as did Tim Torgerson so we'll have a great bunch tomorrow as the Coasters hit home turf.  I'm trying to figure out excuses or diseases that I could contract that would let me squeeze another week with these guys, but I guess three more days will have to do.  A huge thanks to Julie who is treating us like royalty - it's like flying first class, only better.

Erik Schindler

morning day17

Dave is doing ok in the hospital after some DQ therapy last eve. Plan for release this am.
Tonight staying at Oakwood Lake State Park, NE of Arlington, SD. Near Volga.
Dick