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Minnesota |
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Minnesota |
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Distance - 65 miles
5 Down, and the ocean is sight!
Well, almost. But Lake Benton was in sight today, a very nice lake and town
that I spent some time in this afternoon while taking a little nap and break
from the midday sun.
So I said my goodbyes to South Dakota today; I guess it didn't
want me to leave so fast, for it littered the road with odds and end which
punctured my tire and kept me on the roadside for an extra hour. So I didn't
really get started riding till about 11. But once I did, I was treated to a
slight (slight) tailwind that I haven't seen in over a week. That made the 22
miles to the border fly by; where I stopped, shot the pictures, ate the
cinnamon roll, and was on my way. Minnesota greeted me with nice rolling
hills, good shoulders to ride on, and some truly funky cow smells for miles on
end.
After taking my break in Lake Benton (home of the '74 AND
'75 state championship 9 man football squad...did u know that one Ilan?) I
rode the remaining 30 miles to the town of Marshall. After stopping at the
Dairy Queen for a cold drink and to ask if they knew of a free place to camp
in town, I departed to the police station to see if they could be of
assistance. Debra, a CPA in Marshall, happened to be walking by, and as a
member of the Marshall Welcoming Committee and a avid cyclists, told me I
could stay at her place. So here I am, writing to you folks after playing a
little piano and hitting up the tasty Chinese restaurant in town. Tomorrow if
the winds hold I plan on rising early to get a good start on a long day of
riding. After all, I expect that your St. Cloud care packages should be there
shortly, so I don't want all the cookies and baked goods to spoil. Have a
great night everyone!
-Darren
(818) 261-2101 On and working beginning at 8pm pacific time tonight!
Distance - 65 miles
Lets' return to yesterday for a moment. I was a bit late getting into Marshall
yesterday evening, partly because I woke up late in Brookings and partly
because I stopped more than usual on the tail end of the day to take some
scenic photos. Several of the photos were of this absolutely ENORMOUS series
of thunderhead clouds that were bearing northeast. They were an awesome sight
to see, but were definitely up to no good, and I was glad that I had a house
to stay in in Marshall, for I expected that rain would materialize.
At about 6:30 yesterday evening, the wind and light
drizzle that had made its way to Marshall ceased, and everything was still.
Eerily still as can be: not a single leaf moved. Then the sirens started,
warning everyone to be prepared for a tornado and seek shelter. Fortunately,
the sirens faded and the worry was over for Marshall.
Fortunately, I had decided that Marshall was a good place
to stay for the evening, for my next option was 28 miles up highway 23 to the
town of Granite Falls.
Unfortunately, the tornado (an F-4 on a scale up to F-5)
found its way to Granite Falls, where it did some major damage. I passed
through Granite Falls this morning, knowing that I was close as I began to see
housing insulation, scrap metal, etc. littering the roads and fields a good 5
miles before entering the town. The west end of town suffered greatly. Several
homes were completely demolished; not a trace of them in sight, just empty
lots. Steel beams that held together grain storage bins were wrapped around
telephone polls as if it was tissue paper. One man was killed when a truck
that was lifted into the air by the tornado fell onto him.
As somber as the town was today in light of last evening's
events, many were still kind enough to stop and talk to me and wish me well on
my journey. Granite Falls is a lovely town and I wish them and their city a
speedy recovery from the disaster that has befallen them.
I continued on and made my way to the town of
Prinsburg, where I relax in the local Church where I will spend the night
camping on their grounds. I was pleased to use their kitchen facilities
tonight instead of spending money on cafe food, and once again the music gods
have shined their face on me by granting me not one, but two Baldwin's to use.
Tomorrow I will be in St. Cloud, and the Wisconsin border is not
far off! Enjoy your evening everyone, and I hope to hear from you soon
-Darren
Distance - 80 miles
Hi everyone. I arrived safe and sound in St. Cloud, Minnesota this evening,
and I've been scrambling around town tonight running errands. So I'm gonna get
some rest now for a long haul in the morning, but I will write more when I
reach my destination tomorrow. Good night!
-Darren
p.s. Did you know that the town of Prinsburg, Minnesota had the highest census
return of any city in the nation? 91% compared to a 65% national average.
p.p.s did you know that "uncopyrightable" is the longest word in the
English language that doesn't repeat a letter?
[Editor's note: "uncopyrightable" does not exist in the dictionary that ships with Microsoft Office]
So I guess I did take a rest day. Hadn't had one in a while, so I figured I
could use a lil' break. So I gotta sleep in late, visit the library, and go to
the post office to pick up some wonderful care packages. Many thanks to the
Seattle Bernsteins for their package consisting of some hearty meals to make
while on the road, a great tape, and some spending money which will definitely
come in handy. Thank you to the Weinsteins for tasty Power Bars, some
batteries, and some handy wrist bands. Many thanks to my parents for the
always tasty dried apricots, Oreos, Corn Nuts, and cash! (and a new credit
card so I can run up a tab on their expense!) And thank you very much to
Carrie Dubin for sending me her Jim Croche tape. I promise I shall return it
in pristine condition Carrie! Thanks again to everyone who helped me out.
Tomorrow, I shall depart on 23 East cross the good ol'
Mississippi River before breakfast, pick up the 48 East, and time permitting,
I might wrap up Minnesota by the evening and make my way into Wisconsin.
So that's where I be at on my adventure. Thanks you all for
continuing to follow along. Welcome to the new recipients of the list: Jill in
Prinsburg, MN, the Silks in LA, and anyone else I may have forgotten.
To everyone, I can be reached at (320) 253-7070 Room 312
tonight. Good night!
-Darren
p.s. Picture from South Dakota will be available online shortly. Eric, I sent
the camera out to you this morning. Thanks in advance Eric!
Distance - 81.4 miles
Avg Speed - 11.9mph
Top Speed - 26.2 mph
Trip Time - 6:48:21
Odometer - 2449 miles
Greetings from the Grand Casino in Hinkley, Minnesota, which should explain
the title. No poker here fellas, just blackjack and slots. So I figure I will
stay at the 21 tables all day and all night until I make all the money back
I've spent on this trip. No sweat, I can't lose. Today I felt my riding was
really strong, and I wanted to cross the border into Wisconsin. But my rest
last night at the Motel 6 was sooooo comfortable that I couldn't get out of
bed till 9, which ruined my plans to do the 115 miles that would have been
necessary to make it to the first campable town in Wisconsin. I can't say I'm
THAT disappointed. I mean, how can I ride right past the Almighty Casino,
turning my back on blissful blackjack, sultry slots, and bargain buffets? I
would have to be crazy to do so! So I will make my monetary donation to
whatever tribal counsel owns this piss poor facsimile of Vegas, and depart for
cheese land tomorrow. Tomorrow should be a great ride; the weather has been
fantastic, the scenery is becoming wooded and tree lined once again, and Sunday
usually means much lighter traffic.....(I can hardly concentrate right now as
this absolutely horrible lounge singer is belting out some classic
lines. Get a gander of these:
"I be strokin' to da East
I be strokin' to da West
I be strokin' to da woman that I be luvin' da best"
I be strokin' to the North
I be strokin' to the South
And if she's real damn good, then I be strokin' in her .....
"
Timeless lyrics indeed!
Now they're playing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah favorites. "Celebrate Good Times,
Come On..."
Ok enough of the "band" And enough of this journal entry. I gotta
get back to work. Pray for some lucky cards for me tonight boys and girls.
Peace out!
-Darren
p.s. Did you know that all slot machines in casinos are tuned to the key of
"C" because it is considered the most pleasing key to the ear?