tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43247142652005885512024-01-01T02:54:21.900-05:00Old guy on a new blue bike: From Spokane, WA to Mercer, PAAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-12085739565207141292015-10-25T23:27:00.002-04:002016-04-26T11:43:22.509-04:00Post-trip commentsI've been back home from my solo bike trip for about seven weeks. One of the first things I did upon returning was complete the final three blog entries. I also fixed typos, resized some photos, and added photos to the first few blog posts. Eight days after I returned, Laura and I went on an enjoyable ten-day trip to Iceland.<br />
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I wasn't tired of biking at the trip's end. One of the big surprises for me was that my exhaustion did not accumulate. A day or two of rest, except for the longer break in the Twin Cities, was enough to get me feeling fresh for another day's ride.<br />
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The total bike trip distance from Spokane to Mercer was 2,535 miles across 12 states.<br />
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</style> <span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I cycled for 31
days, and took another 12 days for rest and visiting, including 5 days in the Twin Cities. I averaged about 78 miles a day. The longest day was 126 miles,
from Hettinger, ND to Mobridge, SD. The biggest climbing day was </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. My cycling buddy Tom MacDonald and I rode uphill for </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4,170 feet, which is 52.8 feet per mile. </span></span> Day 2 in Idaho and Montana would have had 4,526 feet of climbing or 58 feet per mile, but highway construction forced me to take a five-mile van shuttle ride provided by the Idaho Transportation Department and miss 1,500 feet of climbing--I was OK with that. Neither of those two days had as much vertical gain as a local training ride I did on July 3. On that day I did a 73.7 mile round trip to Chicora, PA and climbed 5,228 feet, which is 70.9 feet per mile. The hilly terrain here in western PA served me well in preparing for the trip. My two flattest days were in Ohio and Montana. The Angola, IN-Fremont, OH ride was 1,119 feet uphill across 119 miles (10.1 feet/mile) and the Harlowton, MT-Roundup ride rose 955 feet across 71 miles (13.5 feet/mile).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The trip was remarkably problem-free. I had
no mechanical problems, not even a flat tire. On the two days with rain showers
in southwestern North Dakota and Chicago I found shelter; and on other days I avoided
afternoon rains by getting up early. Twice I woke before 5:00 AM, something highly unusual for me, but I was then rewarded with views of the
sunrise from the road. My bicycle seat was uncomfortable at times, but the majority of the time I was fine. I did have some tough days; one example being the 105-mile
slog from Mobridge to Aberdeen, SD with relentless headwinds and crosswinds. I questioned my desire to do long distance cycling on that day, although when I pulled into Aberdeen it was satisfying to have survived the ride. I
had several white knuckle riding experiences in suburban and urban traffic. A
few times vehicles passed me at high speeds, anywhere from 30-65 mph, and came close to me, say within four feet, but almost
all of the time vehicles gave me wide berth, or there were no vehicles at all,
sometimes for miles on end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trip highlights
included riding out of Minneapolis into Wisconsin with Tom for three days; a 15-mile downhill in Montana with views of the St Regis River rushing
through Ponderosa-clad steep mountains; numerous occasions flying along with a
tailwind; and seeing "largest in the world" objects such as a hairball in Webster, SD; a ball of twine in Darwin, MN; and
drumsticks in Warren, OH. A pleasant surprise was parts of the trip that I thought would be boring were not boring. I knew I would be thrilled to see conventionally attractive landscapes like the Rockies in Idaho and Montana or Chicago's Lakefront Trail but I did not look forward to biking in flatland farming areas in say, South Dakota or northern Indiana. These two states in fact satisfied a craving I have for new landscapes; they both had a lot more variety than I assumed. I had driven through </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">northern Indiana </span> many times on I 80 but touring the back roads at bicycle speeds provided a whole new perspective. A more general highlight of the trip is simply the time I got to spend doing something I like, bicycling, while learning about new places. Hemingway has a well known quotation in bicycling circles that pertains here: "It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle."<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An unexpected benefit of the trip was how much I would visit and enjoy libraries and history museums. Both enriched my experience in countless ways. I originally conceived of this blog as a bare bones effort to let people know on a day-to-day basis that I had survived the risks inherent in doing a long bike trip by myself. Thanks to the libraries I could research the places I was in and incorporate pictures and maps into this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many things came together to make this trip happen. I have to start with Tom, who introduced me to multi-day bicycle trips in 1996 with a trip from Minneapolis to Fargo, ND. Including our three days on this tour, we have done 18 trips together. I could not have survived the trip on my old bike, which I bought second hand from someone considerably taller than me. I thought I could adjust that bike to my size, and it was certainly workable for shorter trips. I now greatly prefer the new bike, and for this I thank Brian Jenks of Artispin in Cleveland. He fitted, designed, and assembled my blue bike. As for planning the trip, my most useful tool was Google Map's bicycle layer. Google Maps was also invaluable in helping me find motels. The highway maps I obtained for most of the states were useful for planning the overall route. Several of the states I passed through have online bicycle maps; the Minnesota and Wisconsin websites are excellent. My second most important planning tool was crazyguyonabike.com. It hosts bicycle touring journals, forums, and resources. Eventually I will post this trip on that site. The Roadside America phone app showed offbeat places to visit. The Find My Friends phone app helped Laura and others get my location on a phone map in real time, even in areas outside of cell phone coverage. Cyclemeter provided data and recorded my route for each day.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To end, my bike trip was in a very important sense not solo. Throughout the endeavor from start to finish I received support and encouragement from family and friends. I appreciated very much the emails, phone calls, and blog comments as well as wonderful conversations with Karen Hammel in Harlowton, MT. My sister Rita was particularly supportive. Thanks also to my brother Tom and sister-in-law Cynthia who put Laura and me up in Spokane and to Charlie Pile and Laurie Bogart who let me stay with them in Arlee, MT. I am grateful to my grade school friends Michael Lins and Frank Hennessy for some great r&r at Michael's Wisconsin cabin and to Tom and Pam MacDonald for hosting me in Minneapolis. I stayed with my parents too, and my debt and gratitude to them is infinite. Then there is Laura. As I noted in some retirement remarks about a year ago, she treats me like a dog. I mean that in a good way, of course. One of her friends said "after I die I want to come back as Laura's dog." Seriously, I am very lucky to have her in my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy Trails,</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-1500261913543538412015-09-08T18:18:00.000-04:002016-04-24T16:53:35.889-04:00Day 43, September 6: Center of the World (pix added 9/9)Hooray! I'm home! <br />
Newton Falls, OH to home in Mercer, PA <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150906-0934">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150906-0934</a><br />
Trip distance: 52.2 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 2535.1 miles<br />
Average speed: 12.0 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 33.7 mph<br />
Riding Time: 4:21<br />
Weather: at my 9:30 am start the temperature was 69° and the dew point was 67°. The temperature warmed up to the high 80s and the dew point rose to 74°. Wind was minor, blowing softly from the south.<br />
Terrain: uphill 2112, downhill 1737. Quite a lot of climbing for a relatively short ride. The Shenango River valley that includes Sharon, PA centers on the 30-mile mark. The highest elevation is at the very end--our house.<br />
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The route skirts the northern edge of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Area, and goes through the cities of Warren, OH and Sharon/Farrell/Hermitage PA. The Youngstown Metropolitan Area has more than a half million people so even in the more rural sections of the route there are more residential, industrial, and commercial land uses and fewer "natural" and agricultural areas compared to most of my routes.<br />
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My route passed through the center of the world, in a manner of speaking. Center of the World is an unincorporated community in far eastern Braceville Township, Trumbull County, Ohio. It was founded in 1845 by Randall Wilmot, a merchant and innkeeper. Later Wilmot moved to Cortland, OH and called his grocery store "End of the World." (Joseph Green Butler, <i>History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, </i>1921). Today, Center of the World consists of a few houses and businesses.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37sBDmCiaaVSYUbU-9vVljXNi8mQtIwBPW2VuIicLLX-yO3oGCwQcxlZwmNTxjxlwFJP6m9UNOk6ZGqurzqy1_jCyDPt_j27dJYqV1liWlRLDWrGBMvFp6bWl1U4gtfrNl0HcCztN/s1600/FullSizeRender%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37sBDmCiaaVSYUbU-9vVljXNi8mQtIwBPW2VuIicLLX-yO3oGCwQcxlZwmNTxjxlwFJP6m9UNOk6ZGqurzqy1_jCyDPt_j27dJYqV1liWlRLDWrGBMvFp6bWl1U4gtfrNl0HcCztN/s400/FullSizeRender%252815%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">It's in Ohio.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ3dsTfdfdMvqTBV2xEfuVVDDExnHpXCHXJhY_-eR9c3cJkXPp1a79HPPlou9GWf97-g2KPDHPmXU0fdoAuMYzrgVRo8EdpZPpAIu7T9-yRBPz3sSQvZLxeKr1-hL5Qg5kXFoOATV/s1600/FullSizeRender%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ3dsTfdfdMvqTBV2xEfuVVDDExnHpXCHXJhY_-eR9c3cJkXPp1a79HPPlou9GWf97-g2KPDHPmXU0fdoAuMYzrgVRo8EdpZPpAIu7T9-yRBPz3sSQvZLxeKr1-hL5Qg5kXFoOATV/s640/FullSizeRender%252816%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Abandoned motel in Center of the World.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-8nZ54ehOeKDRt5sChCmgHuJtoyVZo2b2083Q9EyWwyUlONwJ9j806dLddQXg37CG1BTEn2nKx5rspY_fewY4wzmURWiz8fDILy-xVZtEcxqCowdIw2aLJiUsaUgZB938xns9rgV/s1600/IMG_4013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-8nZ54ehOeKDRt5sChCmgHuJtoyVZo2b2083Q9EyWwyUlONwJ9j806dLddQXg37CG1BTEn2nKx5rspY_fewY4wzmURWiz8fDILy-xVZtEcxqCowdIw2aLJiUsaUgZB938xns9rgV/s640/IMG_4013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">You can store stuff in Center of the World.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Center of the World's Lucky Inn. Their slogan is "make the Lucky your favorite place to party with friends."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Trumbull County Courthouse in Warren, OH.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLfWc4AaEjQ3_ywP8G2Vb2RcGcyKH31aUghG8s-cyZr2s8swUeW_iIVd3q0wwClx_tvrYqyWmvessLyzWYX8gjIP7xgSgB-WS4djAN4ONNvWqpMtHDi4zrRoP40vHaFHu5_r3DqfN/s1600/IMG_4023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLfWc4AaEjQ3_ywP8G2Vb2RcGcyKH31aUghG8s-cyZr2s8swUeW_iIVd3q0wwClx_tvrYqyWmvessLyzWYX8gjIP7xgSgB-WS4djAN4ONNvWqpMtHDi4zrRoP40vHaFHu5_r3DqfN/s640/IMG_4023.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">David Grohl Alley is a block south of Warren's courthouse square. The Alley features the <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/32170">world's largest drumsticks</a>. Born in Warren, Grohl is the founder of the Foo Fighters and the former drummer of Nirvana. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWtTVJ5r7QOeoCl9Yk3a52londJPDC8DM2Wro_VDB0dfe8WCt_lvXbr988OFs7YmrxchZ27NwCPWWiz8czMnnfAm6jAL0vZrqZ4eHyOEKFWYqseUsihjstK7xcrTNIascUUcNi6Gg/s1600/IMG_4019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWtTVJ5r7QOeoCl9Yk3a52londJPDC8DM2Wro_VDB0dfe8WCt_lvXbr988OFs7YmrxchZ27NwCPWWiz8czMnnfAm6jAL0vZrqZ4eHyOEKFWYqseUsihjstK7xcrTNIascUUcNi6Gg/s640/IMG_4019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Graffiti art in David Grohl Alley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVsgN-upeoytC6J-e-1VMNcJZp9bIdQZzQIZvoeQ3l8PDC3Cn3qD3OGo6KEVvTbp38oZbUTUgf7tloxptzEnsIfbc-bOfXJW2VJq0_93HnXPe4q9KccwbZAUSXUDNc_jQLK8Rmgu0/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVsgN-upeoytC6J-e-1VMNcJZp9bIdQZzQIZvoeQ3l8PDC3Cn3qD3OGo6KEVvTbp38oZbUTUgf7tloxptzEnsIfbc-bOfXJW2VJq0_93HnXPe4q9KccwbZAUSXUDNc_jQLK8Rmgu0/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Drum sculpture made of steel in David Grohl Alley.</td></tr>
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One of the Youngstown area's nicknames is Steel Valley. The decline of the steel industry here led to depopulation and the closing of allied industries and other businesses, although many businesses remain. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVye7K7tRevFqMI78SRH6xVJfGTz2A4ye8f-sa_g46cXmnlPbPaMTqAXEJZtKifIVGI1B4UXaIOldaoFS9dUYU5c0y-EjFtXE4JOeJq_vfoibTsQeneDZb3sNrUdtAcXi24K-bQCTy/s1600/IMG_4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVye7K7tRevFqMI78SRH6xVJfGTz2A4ye8f-sa_g46cXmnlPbPaMTqAXEJZtKifIVGI1B4UXaIOldaoFS9dUYU5c0y-EjFtXE4JOeJq_vfoibTsQeneDZb3sNrUdtAcXi24K-bQCTy/s640/IMG_4028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Wasko's Inn in an industrial neighborhood of Wheatland, PA is closed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiaFXx7YYM8q5jFDi9eYFG_MhqlGqggjXySjv84uwPfOjjlczs8U4hm4S4jqyzQzdLb-eu1hx3BkRmeSZkJW4G1F6SBkpTSdOxovJmrRQsJotBlwdG1XWQ9zSrTzXbxNC6vguKCXy/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiaFXx7YYM8q5jFDi9eYFG_MhqlGqggjXySjv84uwPfOjjlczs8U4hm4S4jqyzQzdLb-eu1hx3BkRmeSZkJW4G1F6SBkpTSdOxovJmrRQsJotBlwdG1XWQ9zSrTzXbxNC6vguKCXy/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Sharon Tube is doing well, thanks in part to supplying pipe for the hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") method of extracting natural gas from shale in the region.</td></tr>
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By coincidence, my route took me underneath the I 80 bridge in West Middlesex, PA where I had a bad accident in March, 2006. I was driving home at night from a tennis match in Youngstown. My rear view mirror filled up with a truck and its bright lights, and then I got rear ended. I spun around on the freeway, crunched the center guard rail with my car's rear end, and found myself skidding down the left lane going backward with a tractor trailer headed straight for me. The truck driver swerved into the right lane and hit the front right side of my car with his left front tire. I spun 180° and came to a stop facing forward, with my car straddling the two lanes and vehicles passing me on both sides, at slow speeds. Luckily, I did not get hurt. The truck driver was also unharmed, and like me, shaken up.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB8x-ohhHtn-aifgxTxLv4sn4c7gxLnfvzf5YuJaMeD-stYwf0cfsFDPAUhR482vmuLzNOodkT3ApZAp7GYqKZwXaL9rZPhM-ybTClfqjQifbBvewEo7i2Q6YaTS86EjdPQE5G9XE/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB8x-ohhHtn-aifgxTxLv4sn4c7gxLnfvzf5YuJaMeD-stYwf0cfsFDPAUhR482vmuLzNOodkT3ApZAp7GYqKZwXaL9rZPhM-ybTClfqjQifbBvewEo7i2Q6YaTS86EjdPQE5G9XE/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">The I-80 bridge where I had a bad accident in March, 2006.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzsgOTcNDHYRU6oDEdDBDh69x58MSdbnjCXyrPv69yh11pF-m3DE-JqOMplETCbDTuar8a9Oi8CPrOSsdy7zC8RdYS-OvUfwx42W_1FQ7W7tdMfV2WRPDkK4LJvxPDNTV3njYz_ZE/s1600/back+view+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzsgOTcNDHYRU6oDEdDBDh69x58MSdbnjCXyrPv69yh11pF-m3DE-JqOMplETCbDTuar8a9Oi8CPrOSsdy7zC8RdYS-OvUfwx42W_1FQ7W7tdMfV2WRPDkK4LJvxPDNTV3njYz_ZE/s400/back+view+small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">After being rear ended, my car spun around and the rear of the car crunched into the center guard rail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNAVlB-IYxCCzqYzo4ru4uKoAXgWjAtX4nKykNVs9LGXswhJBvoA2WsBNCs1Kc91AdvJlFKTfpIp_U-yLE97IXLk33UGiuqX4Tm8ekUILFEKDJdLboWfNtWXihT3656g5yChjfpRH/s1600/front+view+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNAVlB-IYxCCzqYzo4ru4uKoAXgWjAtX4nKykNVs9LGXswhJBvoA2WsBNCs1Kc91AdvJlFKTfpIp_U-yLE97IXLk33UGiuqX4Tm8ekUILFEKDJdLboWfNtWXihT3656g5yChjfpRH/s400/front+view+small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Skidding down the freeway backwards, a tractor trailer's left front tire collided with the front of my car. I feel fortunate that I was unharmed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiCKS-hVAC_wNWCzEaSD7QooR_mz0FydCwbo11loF6U_dewOckzAl_ZD2-Tp3NhZYFX2R_VF9fMMhOflPkS0Iraw-Rk7OM4j5Ta3oeeJ10ujcqhZCJisjGuInuMqBJajMneESU58Y/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiCKS-hVAC_wNWCzEaSD7QooR_mz0FydCwbo11loF6U_dewOckzAl_ZD2-Tp3NhZYFX2R_VF9fMMhOflPkS0Iraw-Rk7OM4j5Ta3oeeJ10ujcqhZCJisjGuInuMqBJajMneESU58Y/s640/IMG_4034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">On our <a href="http://tmacd.com/Bike11/">2011 tour</a>, Tom and I went by this former one-room school outside of West Middlesex and took pictures of it. At that time it was abandoned and in poor shape. Nice to see that a timber products company has restored it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghByGQEDxErTrT6HZDhSpZ_DpSofQ3XzEDuoIXCXyliH-KCD4sWXXBPWFL4gPmBp5hAxn8YEotJt8gsDLuPHeQKCfkIHhGoHKU2W9w27ICPQBB6MPC2EKo4u_x2MGzPcoJMbCX9QL_/s1600/IMG_4037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghByGQEDxErTrT6HZDhSpZ_DpSofQ3XzEDuoIXCXyliH-KCD4sWXXBPWFL4gPmBp5hAxn8YEotJt8gsDLuPHeQKCfkIHhGoHKU2W9w27ICPQBB6MPC2EKo4u_x2MGzPcoJMbCX9QL_/s640/IMG_4037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Corn field east of West Middlesex. Local corn acreage has increased in recent years, thanks in part to demand stimulated by ethanol. Unlike some of the corn growing areas I biked through, there are lots of trees nearby. Some of the land is forested because it is too steep for planting and other land has returned to forest because it isn't very fertile, especially compared to lands with better soils in states to the west.</td></tr>
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I mentioned in the last post that I had entered the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau (see map below). It is a dissected plateau, that is, erosion by water has created steep relief. People sometimes call the higher elevations in this region "mountains," but when you are on top of a "mountain" or hill, you can see that the surrounding mountains or hills are about the same elevation, confirming that the region was once a plain. The Raisz landform map below communicates how streams and rivers have dissected or split open the plateau. The photo below shows steep relief created by Little Neshannock Creek.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kTwJOoq83z73aGim3Bvyyc5QAN04NJ3_lwnfftAGVeXdxJpx4fNxN9YNdjhknxFpl597DgEFoQg7iafjnQWm7C0u-ky0qPR90vqw6leJEBrPRvO0qkD-_fgV4IghsOrbsyyso_2y/s1600/Alleghenyplateaumap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kTwJOoq83z73aGim3Bvyyc5QAN04NJ3_lwnfftAGVeXdxJpx4fNxN9YNdjhknxFpl597DgEFoQg7iafjnQWm7C0u-ky0qPR90vqw6leJEBrPRvO0qkD-_fgV4IghsOrbsyyso_2y/s640/Alleghenyplateaumap.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">The Allegheny Plateau. The gray line separates the northern glaciated section from the unglaciated southern section (source: Wikipedia article on Allegheny Plateau).</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEtmOT0CBZ-ZEcyk-nilJZ_5634CqepWYJ3WFFEff9Dnhj8wL5D9jivOf20n5vG-BarBZNCJk9YVz6s4npKzpg4DaO6WkgbEmoDH7gDeKxbfbTwW5X0Va_gU4IIbY4BDPD5LTY416/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-09+at+10.19.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEtmOT0CBZ-ZEcyk-nilJZ_5634CqepWYJ3WFFEff9Dnhj8wL5D9jivOf20n5vG-BarBZNCJk9YVz6s4npKzpg4DaO6WkgbEmoDH7gDeKxbfbTwW5X0Va_gU4IIbY4BDPD5LTY416/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-09+at+10.19.23+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Portion of <a href="http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~231095~5508485:United-States----Physical-Landforms">Raisz landform map</a> showing the way that streams and rivers have dissected an uplifted plain that is now the Allegheny Plateau. The red line is my approximate route for the day and the green line is the previous day's route.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ23J4ZTc7ps1gvozKmnvEpg_D4Xh5ZRkFCCfaqfoE-gjqzRmNKgwGHu6FMp-UemLsoC5xjH830DuLb-lW30vKgLznLZDttAHGp3WvPrhFi8Z_eR8qswE8iu6e2_wipI6T6MLVPQCq/s1600/IMG_4040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ23J4ZTc7ps1gvozKmnvEpg_D4Xh5ZRkFCCfaqfoE-gjqzRmNKgwGHu6FMp-UemLsoC5xjH830DuLb-lW30vKgLznLZDttAHGp3WvPrhFi8Z_eR8qswE8iu6e2_wipI6T6MLVPQCq/s640/IMG_4040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">The photo flattens this hill, but it was one of the steepest of my entire trip. I felt sorry for the horse pulling a heavy Amish buggy up the hill on this very warm afternoon, although the horse climbed the hill faster than I did, so maybe it's not a very hard job for a strong horse. Beneath the bluff in the distance is Little Neshannock Creek, which created this valley.</td></tr>
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About 2,535 miles after I started in Spokane, I arrived home. Laura and Angola were waiting for me in the street. Laura was waving a pink flamingo in celebration. The Find My Friends iPhone app we use allows her to see where I my phone is at any time, so she knew when I was coming. It is great to be back.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCp22EYxO3pgzHxqNveGrf31QklhcWXuBGNKjtEJ3FyyzIzDQNM11u-wXjhQCl-_Oqv7MYVNQwDB_QcizFTsg1EKYDI5toXPZuJiJvc1XsaELWs2K_NLGy5YgIGnBsMY40ppVVKkx/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCp22EYxO3pgzHxqNveGrf31QklhcWXuBGNKjtEJ3FyyzIzDQNM11u-wXjhQCl-_Oqv7MYVNQwDB_QcizFTsg1EKYDI5toXPZuJiJvc1XsaELWs2K_NLGy5YgIGnBsMY40ppVVKkx/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">White legged old guy off the new blue bike in my front yard with Angola, a cairn, a globe, and a pink flamingo. Why the white legs? I wore leg coolers to keep the sun off my legs.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-54562378018014724692015-09-07T18:17:00.000-04:002016-04-24T15:06:49.260-04:00Day 42, September 5: shady character (pix added 9/8)Elyria, OH to Newton Falls, OH <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150905-0810">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150905-0810</a><br />
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Trip distance: 81.7 miles</div>
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Total trip distance: 2477.3 miles</div>
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Average speed: 12.7 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 32.6 mph</div>
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Riding time: 6:26</div>
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Weather: I started at 8:10 AM with a temperature of 67° and a dew point of 61°. It was sunny all day and the temperature reached the upper 80s while the dew point was in the mid 60s to low 70s. The wind was inconsequential although I had a nice 5 to 10 mph tailwind for the final 8 miles.</div>
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Terrain: uphill 3402 feet, downhill 3195 feet. The profile below shows that as I moved away from the Lake Erie I gained elevation, climbed a big hill, and then went in and out of the Cuyahoga River Valley (the valley is centered on the 40-mile mark). After that I followed several rail trails, did a series of small to medium hills, and finished with a gradual descent.</div>
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The Greater Cleveland area can be defined in several ways. The metropolitan statistical area, which is shown below by the tan-colored counties, is the most common way to compare US cities, and Cleveland <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas">ranks 21st</a> with about 2 million people in 2012. The broadest definition is the combined statistical area, which includes all of the colored counties below, and in this category Cleveland <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Statistical_Area#List_of_Combined_Statistical_Areas">ranks 15th</a> with about 3.5 million people in 2013. My route began in Elyria, which is shown in Lorain County. I then went through Cuyahoga and Summit Counties, and finished in Newton Falls, a little east of the City of Ravenna in Portage County.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zDeoFrdbdZ9TgxLGEgY82e2-dVHwHXz4qzFEYnES_P9tEUPOt2nledoCB4-VlF750XfNSrw8gPyUR3x8-twH-YEdD3DGEmgRTb8qHffXNhW6zREWkzlJuHjoJLnsezt0-5XGsLS_/s1600/Cleveland_CSA_2013_v.3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zDeoFrdbdZ9TgxLGEgY82e2-dVHwHXz4qzFEYnES_P9tEUPOt2nledoCB4-VlF750XfNSrw8gPyUR3x8-twH-YEdD3DGEmgRTb8qHffXNhW6zREWkzlJuHjoJLnsezt0-5XGsLS_/s640/Cleveland_CSA_2013_v.3.png" width="603" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Cleveland">Greater Cleveland</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ486N9KfOgClt_QRd1poKvIXsJ4du7k_Nd89wcUURvgGcrFJ4UsHndZZTTTKkiMAbJuHlsl_s79O_WgzoSY5vcR6t9ZGwaOPkEubeT5HZegPQJQ8widzDrDHmVgvX0pCAyakEAfBa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+8.54.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ486N9KfOgClt_QRd1poKvIXsJ4du7k_Nd89wcUURvgGcrFJ4UsHndZZTTTKkiMAbJuHlsl_s79O_WgzoSY5vcR6t9ZGwaOPkEubeT5HZegPQJQ8widzDrDHmVgvX0pCAyakEAfBa/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+8.54.53+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of Cleveland's nicknames is Forest City. The name fits well from my perspective because I rode through a lot of shade. It was the shadiest day of my trip, with well over half of the ride along shady streets and bikeways, something I was grateful for on this very muggy and sunny day. The only other day that came close for shade was Day 37 across northern Indiana, where I estimated the shade to be between a quarter and a third of the ride. The routes on these two days both went through fairly densely populated areas as well as metropolitan fringe areas--both types of areas have the resources and desire for extensive bike trail networks.<br />
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I was a little apprehensive about biking on a Saturday through a major urban area, but most of the streets on my route were quiet and I spent a lot of time on Metro Parks bike trails away from traffic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5HE5YCX0-AS_-cT-2phxByaAW3ZRmM3dUnEEv00kPpo2pkTd_G2hp9wAeLekB5K4Pr0mDpvKJr0j9XBPQ6uFTG1G7TG2QgF1ph-0zO9lGdoldmogsltSim00fXE95FeAAnw-Bpf_/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5HE5YCX0-AS_-cT-2phxByaAW3ZRmM3dUnEEv00kPpo2pkTd_G2hp9wAeLekB5K4Pr0mDpvKJr0j9XBPQ6uFTG1G7TG2QgF1ph-0zO9lGdoldmogsltSim00fXE95FeAAnw-Bpf_/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Looking down on the Cascade Falls of the West Branch of the Black River, in Elyria.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc70tJqfY8XbTRTlkc5tRYu3RCaoQXohIBykGJgh-run00AVn76e7eSCbQ_StEGHOWD3hs96XcRZxxzIFaRNXyDJKN9l92wfWdAU64nHa-1O8y-EVg80kokLbayu7dbVqXYr8euNL/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc70tJqfY8XbTRTlkc5tRYu3RCaoQXohIBykGJgh-run00AVn76e7eSCbQ_StEGHOWD3hs96XcRZxxzIFaRNXyDJKN9l92wfWdAU64nHa-1O8y-EVg80kokLbayu7dbVqXYr8euNL/s400/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Bicycle recycled as a planter on Sprague Road in Olmsted Falls, a Cleveland suburb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRSpmUrt-bucHX3_Ljkenns4cFWaEoTKhq0f8h7j0C7UDZBMHLba9tVtWUM76-67ZNNOFGIBbFT1EPFcZ3HIexGAE8XH9A_xxCLU8pg_vR7gHdicEmWYIRFaJd8B5PS0NlxhSLpTN/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRSpmUrt-bucHX3_Ljkenns4cFWaEoTKhq0f8h7j0C7UDZBMHLba9tVtWUM76-67ZNNOFGIBbFT1EPFcZ3HIexGAE8XH9A_xxCLU8pg_vR7gHdicEmWYIRFaJd8B5PS0NlxhSLpTN/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I rode on a 7-mile section of parkway and bike trail along the East Branch of the Rocky River. This photo was taken in the Mill Stream Run Reservation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGNkYFGOGwABMR8cIURkRI1K85bxU2ulq-ktPNMXbQbXBXAmZzelP6QHSGeEgKvlwqSFKEphcegFRBzGNidTDS8aftslFPTysldlWFZypFVUwIAUJc783CfDOUp2SvJkq_A-8L05Y/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGNkYFGOGwABMR8cIURkRI1K85bxU2ulq-ktPNMXbQbXBXAmZzelP6QHSGeEgKvlwqSFKEphcegFRBzGNidTDS8aftslFPTysldlWFZypFVUwIAUJc783CfDOUp2SvJkq_A-8L05Y/s640/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Cairns at Chippewa Creek, which runs onto the Cuyahoga River near Brecksville. At Brecksville, I began a 20-mile stretch on parkway bike lanes and bike trails.<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup1d45sWKxNBStf5vMgCrRISJcingiVXo2X9ckYtqzvvquIQmDzo6bfiYJvijvoL8VBrBEUMAHNkotmUe1nVMQK7JPUaxYYGLa7fzc3ugRDqTbOrCAkn0soFR_0OPQY_kiRePjPBo/s1600/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup1d45sWKxNBStf5vMgCrRISJcingiVXo2X9ckYtqzvvquIQmDzo6bfiYJvijvoL8VBrBEUMAHNkotmUe1nVMQK7JPUaxYYGLa7fzc3ugRDqTbOrCAkn0soFR_0OPQY_kiRePjPBo/s640/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">View from the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.</td></tr>
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I then began a big climb out of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as seen below on a segment of my Cyclemeter map, to get to the Summit Metro Parks Bike & Hike Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ5Bej-EvrPLsfT_b4J4B7OhpzL-8gP1NIwjFcDKKQEvMTjZzkvNX1IZ4v6Ju1dJr6iWxecMCfSWStGoJvYdWYh8xeA9LXUoTgdYIF-GgqXHJMcigmyj6TIsdf4cn4gVLlpjZxvg4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-08+at+12.51.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ5Bej-EvrPLsfT_b4J4B7OhpzL-8gP1NIwjFcDKKQEvMTjZzkvNX1IZ4v6Ju1dJr6iWxecMCfSWStGoJvYdWYh8xeA9LXUoTgdYIF-GgqXHJMcigmyj6TIsdf4cn4gVLlpjZxvg4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-08+at+12.51.22+PM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This map gives a sense of the depth (~350 feet) of the Cuyahoga River valley. I 80 and I 271 have dramatic bridges over the gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjQQZGN2MdfUJnNZXVHyZ_2NTphJJX6VXeXUo2Nr7AQQek__B0pJU20astDWCvtD9cj2e4qHFZcAoVYD7sXRE2Zy_U5IG06XMLUtAvaPkMW-jFK4tEZlbwB7SmqeYFEtko7Oq9C-W/s1600/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjQQZGN2MdfUJnNZXVHyZ_2NTphJJX6VXeXUo2Nr7AQQek__B0pJU20astDWCvtD9cj2e4qHFZcAoVYD7sXRE2Zy_U5IG06XMLUtAvaPkMW-jFK4tEZlbwB7SmqeYFEtko7Oq9C-W/s640/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Google Maps routed me onto a closed road. This photo was taken near the 44-mile mark in the previous map. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm_ou-szDO4UQCsF-a3QM_poj_JcqIoyS8flnm4Xxc4L4CniPCeAAHqLEBxA9mVVwgfkh51ZetWWcQjCXuTitJqq_ENrW3sJWFRrTGpOtpGGIfqLzs8YbrMH_iWLlZFfLRZOqQLwP/s1600/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm_ou-szDO4UQCsF-a3QM_poj_JcqIoyS8flnm4Xxc4L4CniPCeAAHqLEBxA9mVVwgfkh51ZetWWcQjCXuTitJqq_ENrW3sJWFRrTGpOtpGGIfqLzs8YbrMH_iWLlZFfLRZOqQLwP/s640/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This is part of the closed road referred to in the previous photo. The combination of steepness and crumbling asphalt forced me to get off my bike and walk up the hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATDrvYo7TFfbKCrV1tq5mCj6Q8g3ZFZ3Xh98oyhLFl9xlpbIGw5jVT6n8sBP4ZlaZOEUtttto_EmuJ0Wq1dzyjOFKxWB_nOFmdv768y03K5MCur5x7NR9ezb64ip1uYl9g7VsHkP_/s1600/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATDrvYo7TFfbKCrV1tq5mCj6Q8g3ZFZ3Xh98oyhLFl9xlpbIGw5jVT6n8sBP4ZlaZOEUtttto_EmuJ0Wq1dzyjOFKxWB_nOFmdv768y03K5MCur5x7NR9ezb64ip1uYl9g7VsHkP_/s640/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This self serve stand, based on an honor system of pay, was a welcome sight after climbing out of the Cuyahoga River valley on a muggy day. The stand accommodates dogs too, as seen on the lower left of this photo and in the photo below.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETwdJ_pPAKglcC1gIBBagMIuhq5bnM8GNiv7O9o7pZHCebI6ceBfD3ndPzO_kTETqEMso37u1KYoNNP_zOoyf0ZtGfip566xtQQKSMq_O5KldzaSedum8FkNHbJsN5-eHlTkbh6JU/s1600/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETwdJ_pPAKglcC1gIBBagMIuhq5bnM8GNiv7O9o7pZHCebI6ceBfD3ndPzO_kTETqEMso37u1KYoNNP_zOoyf0ZtGfip566xtQQKSMq_O5KldzaSedum8FkNHbJsN5-eHlTkbh6JU/s320/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9qooLOcsuoGsGCPruEXiGT0z8E1r2CbjXNRt-pxVkIBty_Gd0o_9KCJ_zKYSiukZSBYPQfrvcy1TdYGHyCML6WZ7PNQAwO9IBs-KWZ4aqCs0wJsSWzpGBWkf5BOWhCcZr2IaGtiD/s1600/FullSizeRender%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9qooLOcsuoGsGCPruEXiGT0z8E1r2CbjXNRt-pxVkIBty_Gd0o_9KCJ_zKYSiukZSBYPQfrvcy1TdYGHyCML6WZ7PNQAwO9IBs-KWZ4aqCs0wJsSWzpGBWkf5BOWhCcZr2IaGtiD/s640/FullSizeRender%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Summit Metro Parks Bike & Hike Trail, like most rail trails is long and straight, but this one is mostly in the shade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkawuawvsLIePuoYieK4bUSCTWiaxrpY7_-iymwQVAuv2TlO08iUYQrU8oHUp_3qH23Bd3IEbzDRIKFIzgDWEJj-zdzE9m8vh9g_5h_CRB-_fqWXBVDYOP7M1JKahqqEnxxxjtTa-/s1600/FullSizeRender%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkawuawvsLIePuoYieK4bUSCTWiaxrpY7_-iymwQVAuv2TlO08iUYQrU8oHUp_3qH23Bd3IEbzDRIKFIzgDWEJj-zdzE9m8vh9g_5h_CRB-_fqWXBVDYOP7M1JKahqqEnxxxjtTa-/s640/FullSizeRender%252810%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Sandstone outcrops, or more technically, Sharon Conglomerate rock walls of the Boston Ledges, on the Summit Metro trail. They are evidence that we have left the lake plain and entered a new landform region, the Glaciated Allegheny Plateaus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF4BhI7Vz84h0rJNGXlL8YKjetktBFfYDc4vCvVLJGewpYQjK7PVyVVKO336vU3ljJjEpCBXouVBPK93lRwUEQj1yylnAj3KtlIcPf7gXbqGm7wUl1x08cfCKwe5LQ8KytVYN_NIA/s1600/220px-Geographic_regions_ohio.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF4BhI7Vz84h0rJNGXlL8YKjetktBFfYDc4vCvVLJGewpYQjK7PVyVVKO336vU3ljJjEpCBXouVBPK93lRwUEQj1yylnAj3KtlIcPf7gXbqGm7wUl1x08cfCKwe5LQ8KytVYN_NIA/s400/220px-Geographic_regions_ohio.svg.png" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">My route went from the Huron-Erie Lake Plains to the Glaciated Allegheny Plateaus. The former is part of the Central Lowland which extends west to the Rockies while the Glaciated Allegheny Plateaus are part of the Appalachian Plateaus which extend from New York to Alabama. (Map is from Wikipedia article on Ohio)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8lugOI9HF0FowRm7fGbY7YygatgaMmpw-CrJ5KPCk-jfKjzaxmNvXVDdT7Oc7W17YvrghU5RmvgkrWLwLp8IX95FE1HB6zaeJOuuZAHoW1msTS3glt2g3eHmAX_CFaEDGUFaYU_B/s1600/FullSizeRender%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8lugOI9HF0FowRm7fGbY7YygatgaMmpw-CrJ5KPCk-jfKjzaxmNvXVDdT7Oc7W17YvrghU5RmvgkrWLwLp8IX95FE1HB6zaeJOuuZAHoW1msTS3glt2g3eHmAX_CFaEDGUFaYU_B/s640/FullSizeRender%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">View of swamp from Summit Metro Parks Bike &Hike Trail, near Stow, OH.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG69Vnw50lkfhAbA33XL-evWuvleAIVStaQTnUNySoeU82nP2zIcn2vqxlW19GXK7dinBEezd-UlxJbL1BYLr_izxpaD73-E_IX9rCt1moWQGA5eLFDXJuFZomcTUUdumOBeWBtguM/s1600/FullSizeRender%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG69Vnw50lkfhAbA33XL-evWuvleAIVStaQTnUNySoeU82nP2zIcn2vqxlW19GXK7dinBEezd-UlxJbL1BYLr_izxpaD73-E_IX9rCt1moWQGA5eLFDXJuFZomcTUUdumOBeWBtguM/s640/FullSizeRender%252812%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Ravenna's <a href="http://ravennaflagpole.org/history.html">150' flagpole</a> in the Portage County courthouse square is modeled after the Eiffel Tower. It was one of the highest flagpoles in the country in the late 19th century.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREcT0CYxq7wdmgU7IEbGesD59B7b5DzMbzhbaYBYsqd9mQ8ECTjP-_Mv0zdutGfFBxJoAbDRhC7K91E7SerLYa9M_QEl2fq2SEBKujZ-B-Za69XDYp5dZn5cQvSvu398GKW6AgpB9/s1600/FullSizeRender%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREcT0CYxq7wdmgU7IEbGesD59B7b5DzMbzhbaYBYsqd9mQ8ECTjP-_Mv0zdutGfFBxJoAbDRhC7K91E7SerLYa9M_QEl2fq2SEBKujZ-B-Za69XDYp5dZn5cQvSvu398GKW6AgpB9/s640/FullSizeRender%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Ravenna car show entrants.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfmCAzo4NGyly8v9jKHZQj-ntDjrUUDPV0i1ggXu2hw6IT0c45icRXVuU38bn6nKYyljlFtO_iMZFmRoiwk608m3OcTOj3HFSaNYgWZYZ9rd4iK4MhGI6v_0KzX9htAbkc9_viuiX/s1600/FullSizeRender%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfmCAzo4NGyly8v9jKHZQj-ntDjrUUDPV0i1ggXu2hw6IT0c45icRXVuU38bn6nKYyljlFtO_iMZFmRoiwk608m3OcTOj3HFSaNYgWZYZ9rd4iK4MhGI6v_0KzX9htAbkc9_viuiX/s640/FullSizeRender%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Ditto.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I ended the day with some hills, bringing the day's climbing total to 3402 feet, the 5th highest total of the 30 days so far. I stayed in Newton Falls, OH that night but regretted it. The Econolodge was neat and had friendly and competent employees, but my room smelled strongly of a cleaning agent and I woke up with a headache. If I would have pushed on nine miles to Warren, OH I could have stayed in a hotel right on the historic courthouse square :(</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-70390602014406047982015-09-06T21:29:00.000-04:002015-10-16T17:00:23.231-04:00Day 41, September 4: North Coast Inland Trail (pix added 9/7)Fremont, OH to Elyria, OH <a href="https://goo.gl/8Gao32">https://goo.gl/8Gao32</a> (for the second time, I forgot to start my Cyclemeter iPhone app in the morning, so this link points to a Google map of the route)<br />
Trip distance: 68.2 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 2395.6 miles<br />
Average speed: 12.6 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 28.9 mph<br />
<div>
Riding time: 5:24<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4324714265200588551" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Weather: at 9:35 when I began the temperature was 71° and the dew point was 70°. Temperatures varied from the high 70s to 80s, depending on the presence of sun or clouds. The dew points were in the low 70s. Moving on a bike helps beat the heat, but it was definitely uncomfortable when I stopped. The wind blew anywhere from 0-10 mph and shifted from a direct headwind in the first hour or two to a crosswind.<br />
Terrain: The uphill and downhill feet are listed in the Google route profile below, although Google numbers tend to be much lower than the ones measured with the Cyclemeter app. The route was not quite as flat as the day before, because it crossed several river valleys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU45l6YyeTrXKrNYDguGSD00Y9RbvKhyphenhyphenpMZ8YvKRoyBPGq5cBuUS3yOw-jTBH-Q1xHcTIzNpn3LbPeiHFiTZRNEMzGTKQgyGMCZXpsWF-yb_u0njgUYcDYYW7o-QMPrIdb379UHoNL/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU45l6YyeTrXKrNYDguGSD00Y9RbvKhyphenhyphenpMZ8YvKRoyBPGq5cBuUS3yOw-jTBH-Q1xHcTIzNpn3LbPeiHFiTZRNEMzGTKQgyGMCZXpsWF-yb_u0njgUYcDYYW7o-QMPrIdb379UHoNL/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The route ran across northern Ohio, roughly parallel and to the south of I 80/I 90, as seen below, although you can get a more detailed look by clicking this <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/gRMWk">link</a>. I started and finished my ride on the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT)--an 11-mile segment east of Fremont and a 14-mile segment from Kipton through Oberlin to Elyria. The NCIT is a typical rail trail, flat and straight. This part of Ohio is relatively densely populated, so the land uses along the trail are not just agricultural.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPXoi0l5Mmv4SBqbFyBT14MfaBUyotrQYlvmNhQS-hs7uax03myCkfDIHEBa5rVwjI3uVp_rQ9Jcfc_lr31YF0IX66Zl3SOH5aVRcTiRdog9YlB7P1d2NCIFuAlGbOK6yAeqm6y1W/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+12.49.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPXoi0l5Mmv4SBqbFyBT14MfaBUyotrQYlvmNhQS-hs7uax03myCkfDIHEBa5rVwjI3uVp_rQ9Jcfc_lr31YF0IX66Zl3SOH5aVRcTiRdog9YlB7P1d2NCIFuAlGbOK6yAeqm6y1W/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+12.49.48+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aHmphPWmgqpWthcJdm437ebpParBJ9kdlD6o3UuVE94u_JaI8ELv-mLYx7-z66ycBX6PyZu5zzK8fW5GcALwZ5Re5RdOA4Y9o2s-Yb-u1w8gChCLfjSQVa_I_B__SqQdk_961acT/s1600/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aHmphPWmgqpWthcJdm437ebpParBJ9kdlD6o3UuVE94u_JaI8ELv-mLYx7-z66ycBX6PyZu5zzK8fW5GcALwZ5Re5RdOA4Y9o2s-Yb-u1w8gChCLfjSQVa_I_B__SqQdk_961acT/s640/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Nasty weather the night before knocked some trees into the North Coast Inland Trail. Glad this weather didn't strike while I was riding. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8u4hwUStLUoVOlCj08W7pkTRze7_-z7xbTFYvQ0R2OuZcF1tPoFD5MEo2gxNe2ykzoixIKPruadsgXb-9akrU0LMvv9jxmCsWImfHQ-qUR8sfUXmykk52xy0QvacPsEXnpYDNalI/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8u4hwUStLUoVOlCj08W7pkTRze7_-z7xbTFYvQ0R2OuZcF1tPoFD5MEo2gxNe2ykzoixIKPruadsgXb-9akrU0LMvv9jxmCsWImfHQ-qUR8sfUXmykk52xy0QvacPsEXnpYDNalI/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Another downed tree on the North Coast Inland Trail causes cyclists to portage their bikes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g8DL0JwbLoGPx3XWQssypVG6SZooVDnX_zMjIZOQo25Gy0PCUPmEPDfroumYuEe8WhXaVkiHsbPjnTcVpAwQDqPYXzbcQA0UNsoUF_tIH9afDgObjoKxhyCfR4naIoTRJMKPtR7e/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g8DL0JwbLoGPx3XWQssypVG6SZooVDnX_zMjIZOQo25Gy0PCUPmEPDfroumYuEe8WhXaVkiHsbPjnTcVpAwQDqPYXzbcQA0UNsoUF_tIH9afDgObjoKxhyCfR4naIoTRJMKPtR7e/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The huge Whirlpool plant in Clyde, Ohio is visible from the rail trail. It is the largest washing machine factory in the world and employs about 3,400 people.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIWZMihd4WWZUyU69japXGTNNue0eAQrRw9ZDoQNxhHT0ObXuQDxhYhxdcmuyeF8R_GIPZ_3HGPwF6br2PF5S3VKUCbz2wlvpf_iql57YSkcstjsfbm54gpl7kzMMxQa9bjtCkQpj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+4.27.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIWZMihd4WWZUyU69japXGTNNue0eAQrRw9ZDoQNxhHT0ObXuQDxhYhxdcmuyeF8R_GIPZ_3HGPwF6br2PF5S3VKUCbz2wlvpf_iql57YSkcstjsfbm54gpl7kzMMxQa9bjtCkQpj/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-07+at+4.27.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Aerial view showing the bike trail and the Whirlpool plant. The small white circle near the center of the photo is the water tower shown in the previous picture.</td></tr>
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This part of Ohio is in the heart of North America's manufacturing belt, but corn and soybeans are grown here too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NPhmksOeNqDSYKnR-z5fEhAdGDwZlL8TZZzFIoLOEX4Zm7EAx5kWHC1Xa9A9YgXINWa-psqbs1cSKw8KvpBgZtrpm2DMKK20BmLg0h_GSO0eplc0Wt33udT5GMw3Za9SE6R_7XWW/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NPhmksOeNqDSYKnR-z5fEhAdGDwZlL8TZZzFIoLOEX4Zm7EAx5kWHC1Xa9A9YgXINWa-psqbs1cSKw8KvpBgZtrpm2DMKK20BmLg0h_GSO0eplc0Wt33udT5GMw3Za9SE6R_7XWW/s640/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Channel provides seedsmanship.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWert7JUAWE6Ib_D8wwWPmNxcGIyOXtjNTeK6lN31-b1dKOKb8rhHCDTRhEHdbHjyHPQsCYSAFYlEWtfIxCj3liyprLlygQVUX8DZP5T8xFzqrd48SEO2XqOfoNQP40ec7-qk50Onl/s1600/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWert7JUAWE6Ib_D8wwWPmNxcGIyOXtjNTeK6lN31-b1dKOKb8rhHCDTRhEHdbHjyHPQsCYSAFYlEWtfIxCj3liyprLlygQVUX8DZP5T8xFzqrd48SEO2XqOfoNQP40ec7-qk50Onl/s640/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">It is near the end of the growing season, so this soybean field is going yellow. The photo also shows the flatness of the lake plain.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc35vQF4VGODYbIPInAYgd0tcGIj304u2AZE2Afip8j8TkjAAWAd8zAVIGWVhCtLoBb8etxgf94wIk7fe40-iAaxld0K4sVd-n_FOq2omRyhAqyHuAW-7EFHD0wckbQjuVkL82uFiB/s1600/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc35vQF4VGODYbIPInAYgd0tcGIj304u2AZE2Afip8j8TkjAAWAd8zAVIGWVhCtLoBb8etxgf94wIk7fe40-iAaxld0K4sVd-n_FOq2omRyhAqyHuAW-7EFHD0wckbQjuVkL82uFiB/s640/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">My kind of street. This street sign is in Oberlin, a college town.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xMTMlm4Qatxw4ejYo8mYojALm_Spss_fJypHp2I5aFBlleZqaAWKJzQzZup6w_qAE-CYDnY6O7X-rBIpoQsNigXkMRXYuujxYK_kaCGNcwC-W3kZz-69qG7gncMQkWTOmsmbqk-8/s1600/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xMTMlm4Qatxw4ejYo8mYojALm_Spss_fJypHp2I5aFBlleZqaAWKJzQzZup6w_qAE-CYDnY6O7X-rBIpoQsNigXkMRXYuujxYK_kaCGNcwC-W3kZz-69qG7gncMQkWTOmsmbqk-8/s640/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Oberlin College is known for music. Two students sitting on the staircase practice on their horns.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3otoTd9BBmjzbuk6_uugZEflBdcoDH_jysnizGYsi2tEgN3NK4wjH8rdPWcCmfC_zdUFI8HVFcAZLIZZAy5kjjDDGGsMGTUt7kYbxZsp27pEqggUji38oxD80qMKoVSpyYZDJlup7/s1600/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3otoTd9BBmjzbuk6_uugZEflBdcoDH_jysnizGYsi2tEgN3NK4wjH8rdPWcCmfC_zdUFI8HVFcAZLIZZAy5kjjDDGGsMGTUt7kYbxZsp27pEqggUji38oxD80qMKoVSpyYZDJlup7/s640/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A cumulonimbus cloud towers over Oberlin. These clouds are associated with atmospheric instability and rain storms. This was the time of day when weather forecasters said there was a 50% of rain. Some rain did come to the area, but by that time I was in my motel in Elyria.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-8022557167973413632015-09-04T21:18:00.000-04:002016-04-23T23:02:21.036-04:00Day 40, September 3: the United States of CornAngola, IN to Fremont, OH <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150903-0651">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150903-0651</a><br />
Trip distance: 118.7 miles - fourth century ride of the trip<br />
Total trip distance: 2323.5 miles<br />
Average speed: 14.2 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 25.8 mph<br />
Riding time: 8:18<br />
Weather: once again rain was forecast for the afternoon so I started pretty early – 6:45 am. The temperature was a warm 73° and the dew point was 68°. Temperatures stayed relatively cool in the morning because of cloudiness but got to the low 90s in the afternoon with accompanying dew points in the low 70s. No wind until about 10:30 am when it started blowing mainly from the WSW anywhere from 2 to 8 mph. It was more tailwind than crosswind.<br />
<div>
Terrain: uphill 1199 feet, downhill 1573. I elongated the route profile below to emphasize that it was a long flat day. The overall trend was downward because the route began inland and ended close to where the Sandusky River empties into Lake Erie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiU1dGEtjBjkXAtpyRc7E2jiwNX_9YbIoUz7ju0kvQI1EWZHDzbURzvx0qHCYXAlYnIVpvLfj5p1OTS-VCYdn5SbxBPhoYGYA_JNd9nIr47d1y8H3zNsKlezEs-KqM93ESr2YNBLu/s640/blogger-image-928297080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiU1dGEtjBjkXAtpyRc7E2jiwNX_9YbIoUz7ju0kvQI1EWZHDzbURzvx0qHCYXAlYnIVpvLfj5p1OTS-VCYdn5SbxBPhoYGYA_JNd9nIr47d1y8H3zNsKlezEs-KqM93ESr2YNBLu/s640/blogger-image-928297080.jpg" /></a></div>
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My route went about 119 miles through farmlands in Indiana and Ohio. More often than not it went through cornfields. I think our country could be called the United States of Corn. The route was so long that I divided it into two maps--see below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjko7hNT8nxwA3Gs2klaYsNefb9ba22fDX-wAabXZLhW-VlcZ5BrFDzn_uY1EJRHFniUKvQ5x6R2A8_4lKisndzvUooB8LHiENMVi_xEXkUkvc0Ow6gCCFjAXf-1Lr7mxWx4UvsqNQ/s1600/Cyclemeter+route1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjko7hNT8nxwA3Gs2klaYsNefb9ba22fDX-wAabXZLhW-VlcZ5BrFDzn_uY1EJRHFniUKvQ5x6R2A8_4lKisndzvUooB8LHiENMVi_xEXkUkvc0Ow6gCCFjAXf-1Lr7mxWx4UvsqNQ/s640/Cyclemeter+route1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpDLsRjEOlJE01KPNqetBZW199D3LWlEHcAPeOERoUgKSGYbkqIAFwACp1DaRxQ6ZYemKT0djN5T680fhd3X7HFuizYc5VwPjFv6tJYXLRG4fAUexHOp3Zl4r80E8uEvCyXmmttAC/s1600/cyclemeter+route2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpDLsRjEOlJE01KPNqetBZW199D3LWlEHcAPeOERoUgKSGYbkqIAFwACp1DaRxQ6ZYemKT0djN5T680fhd3X7HFuizYc5VwPjFv6tJYXLRG4fAUexHOp3Zl4r80E8uEvCyXmmttAC/s640/cyclemeter+route2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today's ride was my longest since South Dakota. Several things
came together to make this happen. I got an early start. Route
navigation was simple for the most part. I didn't have to climb many hills. If you divide the climbing by total miles, on average I climbed less than 12 feet per mile. This was probably my flattest day. The Raisz landform map below shows that much of my route crossed the lake bed of Glacial Lake Maumee, an ancestor of present-day Lake Erie. Finally, a modest tailwind helped me ride a longer distance than usual.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSBZ0lQ_jR7QDubWkWhygR3R_AfLTQdVsgJiHomfXbrvzmzGu7DqIOOH7A54BC7x0WICa-8DGybnO85w_5tLeK0G7xZL-r2R-AZz-YFQtrnGcbx9tgyKP4RgwFFHZAGRTcFzfCIs0/s1600/raisz2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSBZ0lQ_jR7QDubWkWhygR3R_AfLTQdVsgJiHomfXbrvzmzGu7DqIOOH7A54BC7x0WICa-8DGybnO85w_5tLeK0G7xZL-r2R-AZz-YFQtrnGcbx9tgyKP4RgwFFHZAGRTcFzfCIs0/s640/raisz2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The star shows my starting point in Angola, IN and I finished in Fremont, OH, which is underlined. </td></tr>
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Another significant feature of my route was evidence of the rectangular grid of the Public Land Survey System, which the federal government devised for organizing land for sale and settling. The land was divided into square mile sections, and roads were built on these section lines. A screen capture of part of my route map in satellite view shows the one-mile squares.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6ah-U6DoB76-R9qIw1zwJ4S4TB7aTG_-7J43KiQgSiHIIhjb5FVrkFd-0NAcxQBXTbb9yrwOOnh438sx8-5DX_UvB27QC-AEx937HcAJ_k3zKOpILGikRLPiGgDoW-3ToBBqRLsO/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6ah-U6DoB76-R9qIw1zwJ4S4TB7aTG_-7J43KiQgSiHIIhjb5FVrkFd-0NAcxQBXTbb9yrwOOnh438sx8-5DX_UvB27QC-AEx937HcAJ_k3zKOpILGikRLPiGgDoW-3ToBBqRLsO/s640/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The one-mile squares of the Public Land Survey System are clearly visible in this screen capture of part of my route.</td></tr>
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My ride began with me heading toward a thunderstorm, something that was disconcerting as I saw two bolts of lightning a few minutes into my ride, but my phone showed the storm to be more than 20 miles ahead of me and moving out of my way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tS0gf3ZV610ouNmetxFl1BqRHZTyeS1mYCIsxp8qcxc-XTXiuaDIPdUmu11Lr9cG_xOfT58SarlKODtYijvEuDsx5c3Tx3qIt8GihhqP4_otdEQ471XiLYWRrAoie12eTeua95EB/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tS0gf3ZV610ouNmetxFl1BqRHZTyeS1mYCIsxp8qcxc-XTXiuaDIPdUmu11Lr9cG_xOfT58SarlKODtYijvEuDsx5c3Tx3qIt8GihhqP4_otdEQ471XiLYWRrAoie12eTeua95EB/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">A small thunderstorm ahead of me blocked the sunrise, but as the storm clouds thinned out some sunrise color became visible.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnANx32wvzrwEeP_gX_VT5z6qosDNT4-RV7r2qOnRNQvnH6Ir990DsnRVTt56LbbMu_1pBnX244tGXygAg8LI6x0rOJc0HQck7Htp_8q7iJBDQczPvsIQ6O4mdveFbiFatCxjVyKaw/s1600/IMG_3905%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnANx32wvzrwEeP_gX_VT5z6qosDNT4-RV7r2qOnRNQvnH6Ir990DsnRVTt56LbbMu_1pBnX244tGXygAg8LI6x0rOJc0HQck7Htp_8q7iJBDQczPvsIQ6O4mdveFbiFatCxjVyKaw/s1600/IMG_3905%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Early morning mist, with some cows in the left background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD5JIILC3thrbIee6ftReDevaf7Jcy6XgKxu8BFk15-Sm17jmVvs76j-IeHfZzzp-40KEoI3dI682vD-GTP80yAouBtihO3gWLyShYd6-KH0alK_LGWktjCIMMznw6WicSkax13f9/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD5JIILC3thrbIee6ftReDevaf7Jcy6XgKxu8BFk15-Sm17jmVvs76j-IeHfZzzp-40KEoI3dI682vD-GTP80yAouBtihO3gWLyShYd6-KH0alK_LGWktjCIMMznw6WicSkax13f9/s640/IMG_3907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Early morning mist.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3EyXqgtvK2z_x02MZPjG91ZemlVbtR94xkeReXFJoNx_4tm36FDV_DSn06EqXwD5ePfMWlbhIaXnZT0FS3jBVr4wV1qy3ZSKk2ccy9qMoyNUqSWq-Fae06Stti686RwQtcbnSiTC/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3EyXqgtvK2z_x02MZPjG91ZemlVbtR94xkeReXFJoNx_4tm36FDV_DSn06EqXwD5ePfMWlbhIaXnZT0FS3jBVr4wV1qy3ZSKk2ccy9qMoyNUqSWq-Fae06Stti686RwQtcbnSiTC/s640/IMG_3908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">By 9:30 the sun burned off the mist. By now I had left the moraine hills and entered the very flat Lake Maumee plain. The active Williams County Landfill rises above the plain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s2cqf0D2LnnZCf3vnbKlRGii7W94cDDovOmFJqa8dqNFWCz3KDLXBubDtVHcdKN4vQ5Ia8bdMhAV4gocX_-AaESm3KLAOtBSMIdr36s6IZ1Wu0EsOVgoBzExJR5DJosBd1T6bj2t/s1600/IMG_3912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2s2cqf0D2LnnZCf3vnbKlRGii7W94cDDovOmFJqa8dqNFWCz3KDLXBubDtVHcdKN4vQ5Ia8bdMhAV4gocX_-AaESm3KLAOtBSMIdr36s6IZ1Wu0EsOVgoBzExJR5DJosBd1T6bj2t/s1600/IMG_3912.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Corn fields in the Glacial Lake Maumee plain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqpiL73RZhn2sUl9AFQJhRyR5K9M1-GNWGo9Rxbf0Ve333B6T7aYCNWTlroxOI-lxtcj2HgH74XolGBggErA10fdu94A1vCehqE1Q9oGZLXbQ5AJkgjsuPyFyBtQ8qlr0AvaKsLYa/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqpiL73RZhn2sUl9AFQJhRyR5K9M1-GNWGo9Rxbf0Ve333B6T7aYCNWTlroxOI-lxtcj2HgH74XolGBggErA10fdu94A1vCehqE1Q9oGZLXbQ5AJkgjsuPyFyBtQ8qlr0AvaKsLYa/s640/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">In some places the plain is so flat that farmers need to make ditches to drain their fields.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxh2Uvkb8e8ByJky_W7U3sZ3W9cVGnWkivoV9sxURtZJ_PgxCc_TZi6HsWidvTOyUOwbklXWIPCfIC6bwJCc8-PoZozZGJhvieo3dMtEBiUOQNPxuLsga1qmVxWlB0yh-Mgnx1b2w/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxh2Uvkb8e8ByJky_W7U3sZ3W9cVGnWkivoV9sxURtZJ_PgxCc_TZi6HsWidvTOyUOwbklXWIPCfIC6bwJCc8-PoZozZGJhvieo3dMtEBiUOQNPxuLsga1qmVxWlB0yh-Mgnx1b2w/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Asgrow "Competitor" soybeans and corn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52NTwSA5l-LM6bEOq3slwwGmJ3gn3gjcVGa6aL3SCxi2f_TcqsJstSzx2Gyz-xk-Ykl2yPl-BPplgA3YUlTHRf0pfscuPKzIdgmftsmz57PzEEbeRVVZ9SiIP_PG1mDbgANFXgiv3/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52NTwSA5l-LM6bEOq3slwwGmJ3gn3gjcVGa6aL3SCxi2f_TcqsJstSzx2Gyz-xk-Ykl2yPl-BPplgA3YUlTHRf0pfscuPKzIdgmftsmz57PzEEbeRVVZ9SiIP_PG1mDbgANFXgiv3/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">I saw several dozen pond created for recreational use, and most of them had rock shorelines and sometimes a sandy segment of shoreline for swimming.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrkjNCh31YlUa6gthr62v2hS_pKYc0qmj9WKyH6hzG3NZPAcyDsy-IaZjkZ53tp2tjsIZwLkzHfhzZvigvVmhGx468DUAs2DcgNsWDF7Y14ZZq75Oq7eJyCk-PQ9gaIm9VLhm6S_e/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrkjNCh31YlUa6gthr62v2hS_pKYc0qmj9WKyH6hzG3NZPAcyDsy-IaZjkZ53tp2tjsIZwLkzHfhzZvigvVmhGx468DUAs2DcgNsWDF7Y14ZZq75Oq7eJyCk-PQ9gaIm9VLhm6S_e/s640/IMG_3918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">This pond looks like it has "bluing" in it. Tractorsupply.com says that "<span class="st">Midnite Blue<i> </i>Lake and Pond<i></i> Colorant give your watering hole a vibrant, but not artificial, look."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8cT_LYrYiHOar6IGtpdZXxMdRJ7BmG4yO3ENaOy2PSM3ElpGri3FthbAo6hX3CmMfhulTP4422yLf-gKdmsK7cZQJpCiNR4cK2Ou5hPNJ_Bdnl2J_4g9_ewwBwdWIYINd3xITYDJ/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8cT_LYrYiHOar6IGtpdZXxMdRJ7BmG4yO3ENaOy2PSM3ElpGri3FthbAo6hX3CmMfhulTP4422yLf-gKdmsK7cZQJpCiNR4cK2Ou5hPNJ_Bdnl2J_4g9_ewwBwdWIYINd3xITYDJ/s640/IMG_3915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Old fashioned but very effective energy conservation. The road goes straight south showing that someone planted evergreens on the northwest side of the farmhouse, thereby reducing the impact of cold winter winds. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGC-QiGn0Qq-42gosuE9gsbGj3WMz1REHBauDVL-wth5cwIHR0YxSgscCGJWhrdEttfOacV9e80iKtdf5nXP66OBipcS0ytawz4lj9fLn6MiMZpAkwudZuF_QxVYlhk1OFrEYwLsI/s1600/IMG_3916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGC-QiGn0Qq-42gosuE9gsbGj3WMz1REHBauDVL-wth5cwIHR0YxSgscCGJWhrdEttfOacV9e80iKtdf5nXP66OBipcS0ytawz4lj9fLn6MiMZpAkwudZuF_QxVYlhk1OFrEYwLsI/s640/IMG_3916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Old fashioned energy conservation, part 2. Here's a view of the house in the previous photo from the south. The leaf trees provide shade in the summer and allow the sun to warm the house in the winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZ7uiNUcpuDK_wf5aGlyyeeO19nJDQVNgEcGyE4jPgihgJQrwYmoX8JqBxHxU-HvOMDAr8nd-KBWphHoguI4dM5K0qZfSpI1L2b6-A1CXVYXr2mjaO5JXmFfMSOtlPC1ZFNf9Ac5v/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZ7uiNUcpuDK_wf5aGlyyeeO19nJDQVNgEcGyE4jPgihgJQrwYmoX8JqBxHxU-HvOMDAr8nd-KBWphHoguI4dM5K0qZfSpI1L2b6-A1CXVYXr2mjaO5JXmFfMSOtlPC1ZFNf9Ac5v/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The very wide Maumee River goes through the middle of the Maumee plain. The Maumee River watershed is Ohio's Breadbasket, according to Wikipedia.<u><br /></u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L5M-ySVeOLPheHNMRcC_Ib6GPlmOw-d30clrda15Zp7749E9HW1lPQDARheeYw_ohGK-7yIsnqz-YtBsCjRfzobG2oKa-G0VnlyjpOQW34qchQ3x6eAQftfHYrStaWyaedqlNSLr/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L5M-ySVeOLPheHNMRcC_Ib6GPlmOw-d30clrda15Zp7749E9HW1lPQDARheeYw_ohGK-7yIsnqz-YtBsCjRfzobG2oKa-G0VnlyjpOQW34qchQ3x6eAQftfHYrStaWyaedqlNSLr/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The Henry County Courthouse in Napoleon, OH. Napoleon is on the Maumee River. The city grew because of its location on the<br />
Miami and Erie Canal and by supplying products to farmers in the surrounding area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg16wa9nJcZ5HlS-yRSbK-nzt-Rp68cgonLrSuAOs_VTPKywzKrB4-RlBWUgeEtev_Ahyphenhyphend6zbrk-yUJ_5ai_enE1riaiw8VfRsPmsPmmqBUkZSZU2M7S1mWB-Q-hxUd1e1PsTwf__/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg16wa9nJcZ5HlS-yRSbK-nzt-Rp68cgonLrSuAOs_VTPKywzKrB4-RlBWUgeEtev_Ahyphenhyphend6zbrk-yUJ_5ai_enE1riaiw8VfRsPmsPmmqBUkZSZU2M7S1mWB-Q-hxUd1e1PsTwf__/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The Sandusky County Courthouse in Fremont, OH--not as impressive as Napoleon County's. Rutherford Hayes lived in Fremont for a time. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, the first presidential library in the United States, is here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iWBwGVOjdO00Xh6SNW2ABgF3IDr10cj3hoEOBdyXSf4XE3BT3i2xPcBjPC-ndKzniNepRAMZaxIOErEkuk20yZKK6OtQu__CSmNbLWcKJ7T67aDqJR1X_vFijZ7ki7opLo4KFGW2/s1600/IMG_3949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iWBwGVOjdO00Xh6SNW2ABgF3IDr10cj3hoEOBdyXSf4XE3BT3i2xPcBjPC-ndKzniNepRAMZaxIOErEkuk20yZKK6OtQu__CSmNbLWcKJ7T67aDqJR1X_vFijZ7ki7opLo4KFGW2/s640/IMG_3949.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Here's a closer look at the sculpture in the previous photo. I don't know what it is, but I like it.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-51956194823999923502015-09-02T19:05:00.000-04:002015-09-13T11:48:12.361-04:00Day 39, September 2: spending a day in Angola, INI take a day off from riding in Angola, IN. As was the case during my last rest day in Lake Forest, IL, I spent much of it in a local library, taking advantage of the computers available to visitors.<br />
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Angola is the name of our dog. Laura got her from a shelter in Greenville, PA in 2003. One of the bad things about an extended bike trip is that I am deprived of contact with Angola (and Laura too).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Angola in a comfortable position.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Angola doing one of her favorite things - cooling off in a stream and getting a drink.</td></tr>
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Laura and I like to give geographic names to dogs, so that's why we chose Angola. Angola, IN <a href="http://steubenindianahistory.blogspot.com/2012/08/angola-origin-of-towns-name.html">was named by Judge Thomas Gale around 1837</a>, apparently because the name was "new and uncommon and one that pleased the chooser of it." A main feature of the town is "The Mound," a memorial to Civil War soldiers from the area and that includes statues representing all four branches of the military.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">"The Mound" in the center of of Angola commemorates the Civil War. It was unveiled in 1917.</td></tr>
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Angola has the Carnegie Public Library of Steuben County, built in 1915. Two additions have been made to the library while keeping the original building intact.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The original library building of red brick survives inside the newer library. The original fountain is in the library too.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The 1915 cornerstone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The original entrance to the library has pretty Craftsman stained glass windows. A picture of Andrew Carnegie hangs on the back wall. This entrance can be seen two photos above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A new reading nook nicely echoes the original entrance to the library.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A quilt in the library shows local buildings of interest. The largest quilt square depicts the original library and fountain.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-33784370162686927702015-09-01T22:05:00.001-04:002016-04-23T11:00:03.078-04:00Day 38, September 1: blue-bonneted bicyclistMishawaka, IN to Angola, IN <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150901-0732">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150901-0732</a><br />
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Trip distance: 72.8 miles</div>
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Total trip distance: 2199.4 miles</div>
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Average speed: 13.3 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 30.8 mph</div>
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Riding time: 5:29</div>
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Weather: I left at 7:30 with a temperature of 68° and a dew point of 66°. The temperature rose 10° by 10:45 AM and the dew point got to the lower 70s in the late morning and stayed there all day. Temperatures reached the upper 80s by the mid afternoon. No wind in the morning and not much in the afternoon. Its direction varied from southeast to south to southwest at maybe 5 mph.</div>
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Terrain: uphill 1537 feet, downhill 1221 feet. My gradually ascending route went through a glacially shaped landscape of flat lands alternating with small hills created by moraines.</div>
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This route continues the path across the northern tier of Indiana that I began the day before. At the halfway mark I entered Amish country, I then went by hunting and fishing areas, and finished by taking US 20 into Angola.<br />
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There was rain in the forecast and I wanted to beat the heat so I left early. Once again the temperature and dew point were nearly identical and with no wind so there was a lot of mist. I was not surprised to see lots of traffic coming into the South Bend/Mishakawa area but I was surprised at the sizable outbound traffic. The photo shows the narrow shoulder--it varied from 0-6 inches so I had bouts of white knuckle riding as groups of vehicles passed me. The traffic gradually decreased over the first eight miles or so. A couple of miles later I got on to a series of bike lanes and paths beginning in Elkhart's northwestern neighborhoods and extending 25 tranquil miles to Shipsewana. Many of these bike ways follow the St Joseph River. Elkhart has about 50,000 people and bills itself as the RV capital of the world. It has an RV Hall of Fame.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Mishawaka commuters in the mist. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A hydroelectric power station on the St Joseph River in Elkhart. Not much wind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The St Joseph River before it enters the east side of Elkhart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-CQYjvoqsexIPfm1lDxWlMw5HwMfK16H9FoC_Yda2F99tvxnywo7kgXH5vlmK6BDMe26ztEH4J52U6n3AawS27dRcMvePHaxhdfDmJ6YMef-wJzr8u3OMqI19IJ9J7m2cof3YAT3/s1600/IMG_3864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-CQYjvoqsexIPfm1lDxWlMw5HwMfK16H9FoC_Yda2F99tvxnywo7kgXH5vlmK6BDMe26ztEH4J52U6n3AawS27dRcMvePHaxhdfDmJ6YMef-wJzr8u3OMqI19IJ9J7m2cof3YAT3/s640/IMG_3864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This giant set of mushrooms in Middlebury, IN is part of a garden originally displayed in the 1933/34 Chicago Worlds Fair.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtK92tjYIti7WG1SKm_NRUkj-BN6yTPxIVYERU6gD5dumiZGc8ay7d1CAaHAglkDAp_B7DVmXDxqIm9OpxflL1SSRepK-GxwoC_ae3GJjBdqB_8NNhA7UJaj98Mf8K0C4-w7o2IDN/s1600/IMG_3870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtK92tjYIti7WG1SKm_NRUkj-BN6yTPxIVYERU6gD5dumiZGc8ay7d1CAaHAglkDAp_B7DVmXDxqIm9OpxflL1SSRepK-GxwoC_ae3GJjBdqB_8NNhA7UJaj98Mf8K0C4-w7o2IDN/s640/IMG_3870.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is part of a regional network of trails that connect Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. </td></tr>
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When the bike ways ended in Shipsewana I entered a more lightly populated farming area which was predominantly Amish. I had seen a few Amish on bicycles on the bike network but in the farm country I saw how important bikes are to this group of Amish. This contrasts greatly with my own area, which also has a large Amish presence, but I don't think I've ever seen an Amish person on a bicycle in my area. Topography must be part of the explanation for the big difference. This part of Indiana is relatively flat while my area is hilly and would be a real challenge for the sturdy and heavy Amish bikes. Amish communities may also differ in how much they will embrace modernity as represented by spiffy new bikes--some of the Amish bikes I saw looked pretty flashy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj5VzLHYTSFlMNnYIRDAUOoc_y61UQk8IwhL89R7pj2WTjCKjG3QhCA53VeJo0tPNBMkDVSF25e6kecJxrcEGbnZG7RE3nIDzuUk8NyTRadr4coYHbm9ZTCusmUDQeKG-juEP0WBK/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj5VzLHYTSFlMNnYIRDAUOoc_y61UQk8IwhL89R7pj2WTjCKjG3QhCA53VeJo0tPNBMkDVSF25e6kecJxrcEGbnZG7RE3nIDzuUk8NyTRadr4coYHbm9ZTCusmUDQeKG-juEP0WBK/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Blue-bonnetted bicyclist in Shipsewana. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ93wQ8oBe2XGnU85XpyPsi3mSUy_1qLyFSr3VRU-X5gzkcw5-tPYaXcxUocGUnQqYhtZCG62Fwn7h6U5bD2Yl3ZGl1H-cPORLcy3VCvRdcHCkKx2fAA7G1GgHOyaGiD1qet5OZZkP/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ93wQ8oBe2XGnU85XpyPsi3mSUy_1qLyFSr3VRU-X5gzkcw5-tPYaXcxUocGUnQqYhtZCG62Fwn7h6U5bD2Yl3ZGl1H-cPORLcy3VCvRdcHCkKx2fAA7G1GgHOyaGiD1qet5OZZkP/s640/IMG_3876.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Amish girls and boys playing softball during recess. The bicycles next to the school building caught my attention.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFnhPN-_e1qh8cAfX5Z9Zrc_OKTF5ZwNxqJSEo6WjidcmxVkKUG25TgqBXsMCf1SobQV1Eqrvq9Dlk4msgtPvlwhzDhS9kpI6MFJF3pfSKuxFajDmhUr-eLV4FYeZ2X5WVxox_82u/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFnhPN-_e1qh8cAfX5Z9Zrc_OKTF5ZwNxqJSEo6WjidcmxVkKUG25TgqBXsMCf1SobQV1Eqrvq9Dlk4msgtPvlwhzDhS9kpI6MFJF3pfSKuxFajDmhUr-eLV4FYeZ2X5WVxox_82u/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A whole lot of bicycles of various sizes. Some have fat tires and others have pretty skinny tires.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ8ZbhBOHX9WLB6FjFISlkDAg_-QDLFw1xB7i0qMYMpvDYK6lb-mmMMDftMZawu533zeNjWvCbik6pddJGGPIu-wBT_-Pc5lqwZfQMr3YU_iDkSLq9V27hSmhWtFG8_mXAjeeNQOd/s1600/IMG_3878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ8ZbhBOHX9WLB6FjFISlkDAg_-QDLFw1xB7i0qMYMpvDYK6lb-mmMMDftMZawu533zeNjWvCbik6pddJGGPIu-wBT_-Pc5lqwZfQMr3YU_iDkSLq9V27hSmhWtFG8_mXAjeeNQOd/s640/IMG_3878.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Amish bicycle shop.</td></tr>
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The next part of the ride went by the 12,000-acre Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOEmzngNwkXnkNEnf17uEz7frPZh6TkRa4YfpuW8qxoY9pR54CCpQ17lxfHRwfHW_6C-F8Xangb97eSyh0gRzGS6MKCrUtWnDTKsQFhOcKspZY_TJUHTBMcyTNqHRjXQpwiYcuPdI/s1600/IMG_3885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOEmzngNwkXnkNEnf17uEz7frPZh6TkRa4YfpuW8qxoY9pR54CCpQ17lxfHRwfHW_6C-F8Xangb97eSyh0gRzGS6MKCrUtWnDTKsQFhOcKspZY_TJUHTBMcyTNqHRjXQpwiYcuPdI/s640/IMG_3885.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Shady road passing through the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area. A deer is standing in the last set of shadows on the left side of road. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYLwvZxBjIv1HoCQ_V0-gSu10ymkWXNheKz840o2ZCc-Goh7aXnvZ9Y8t8UidQJ4yKoYBqxdpYUKWylOpr4oSRQxuKdHx4anY60lIaHOtMmcejIJGONq00bSL4th1t7Xlegxx2GA3/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYLwvZxBjIv1HoCQ_V0-gSu10ymkWXNheKz840o2ZCc-Goh7aXnvZ9Y8t8UidQJ4yKoYBqxdpYUKWylOpr4oSRQxuKdHx4anY60lIaHOtMmcejIJGONq00bSL4th1t7Xlegxx2GA3/s640/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The unincorporated community of Mongo is in the middle of the fish and wildlife area. The facade of the former Mongo State Bank has been reworked. and the building now houses the Mongo Tavern.</td></tr>
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I finished the ride on US 20. Unlike yesterday's stint on US 20, this one was pleasant. The shoulder is very wide so I was well insulated from traffic and could enjoy the views as I ascended and descended the biggest hills of the day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwhe4e0MFUQ6eadpPQqpwHXM4O9EO8lR2HDzzqH0kKzKG0yb3dGZAae9FEFTk3ID3R_5kVyh1Iq03H0KDHihMvMuSlj-VSuSkhe_t674MHB2Y2GjdmTMVgM3uOHm_x2fb2JmUp_1A/s1600/IMG_3888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwhe4e0MFUQ6eadpPQqpwHXM4O9EO8lR2HDzzqH0kKzKG0yb3dGZAae9FEFTk3ID3R_5kVyh1Iq03H0KDHihMvMuSlj-VSuSkhe_t674MHB2Y2GjdmTMVgM3uOHm_x2fb2JmUp_1A/s640/IMG_3888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Roadside memorial for a young firefighter on US 20 just inside the Angola city limits. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-63393348969672429632015-08-31T22:31:00.000-04:002016-04-22T12:47:33.665-04:00Day 37, August 31: shady backroads in northern IndianaPortage, IN to Mishawaka, IN <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150831-0903">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150831-0903</a><br />
Trip distance: 66.5 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 2126.5 miles<br />
Average speed: 13.1 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 27.4 mph<br />
Riding time: 5:04<br />
Weather: a warm start of 72° at 9am with a high dew point of 68°. No clouds but hazy. The air warmed up to 85° in the late afternoon and at one point the dew point was 70° - very muggy. Nonexistent to weak south to southwest winds of 3-5 mph helped me a little bit in a few open places.<br />
Terrain: uphill 1883 feet, downhill 1715 feet. The two profiles below show the low elevations associated with Lake Michigan giving way to higher elevations in hillier moraine areas. I included a second profile to show the effect of "stretching out" the profile, and this more truly represents the relatively flat nature of today's ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTppkT6PpKeQNGzwhxNK1OJwIMzmInlBR10RyFbXghn5jL_pZiScVSpHFXYI6wdJSMPY8L9TtiB-HpL4flFO4TVtu5auB_dcHXmcuXQ_zH0pvn-oalt8y59b_6RyjX8JW5MKGbjdp/s640/blogger-image-1789857471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTppkT6PpKeQNGzwhxNK1OJwIMzmInlBR10RyFbXghn5jL_pZiScVSpHFXYI6wdJSMPY8L9TtiB-HpL4flFO4TVtu5auB_dcHXmcuXQ_zH0pvn-oalt8y59b_6RyjX8JW5MKGbjdp/s400/blogger-image-1789857471.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZLQV4j1UH2Q2nE0J9zPz5koYkP9cX8jGRfWZo8XVjx5wNTxKOTHW0gjec2CScdRNbjP3e62hwKcqZ7LnvgDys7Wts95vcc52uBMpaqhSSLDNGW5wSkJ-8yU9-xNsCx_0Skv1c6HJ/s1600/profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZLQV4j1UH2Q2nE0J9zPz5koYkP9cX8jGRfWZo8XVjx5wNTxKOTHW0gjec2CScdRNbjP3e62hwKcqZ7LnvgDys7Wts95vcc52uBMpaqhSSLDNGW5wSkJ-8yU9-xNsCx_0Skv1c6HJ/s640/profile.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Laura and I have visited the Portage area when we travel by road between the Twin Cities and Pennsylvania. We enjoy hiking at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and on other trails. The route map below shows the National Lakeshore and the <a href="http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~231095~5508485:United-States----Physical-Landforms">Raisz landform map</a> below shows the extent of the dunes. I didn't visit the dunes this time, but I noticed their impact on the area in that the soil was very sandy. Even at the 32-mile mark, which is about 9 miles from the lake, the soil was sandy. As I moved further away from the lake I traversed moraines and flat valleys, notably the Kankakee Basin, which is labeled on the Raisz map and corresponds to miles 39 to 52 on the profiles above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MUEEQylaC9cgfeOgTYk_PubKgjcCLz83qt-LAvgDne1xnxvUTuCHk2cBRuHj2IWWaXiD4VY9_nT_d_g_tQNcYKIawhw1NxLXhZbC1K5wCRZzsiKFEobK8XccNHoIOPmBQb_jJWlc/s1600/cyclemeter+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MUEEQylaC9cgfeOgTYk_PubKgjcCLz83qt-LAvgDne1xnxvUTuCHk2cBRuHj2IWWaXiD4VY9_nT_d_g_tQNcYKIawhw1NxLXhZbC1K5wCRZzsiKFEobK8XccNHoIOPmBQb_jJWlc/s640/cyclemeter+route.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The route map shows a traverse across northern Indiana with a brief visit to Michigan at the 52-mile mark.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-CTp3VO8T4wRH-7HJOMBJI_o_BIo3-incNfemtqXUyvlgWLySIGZJii_udGzPIV6EhLh3YOTnDaadV54rpsaXu6AbdmwhNszP_a5JZuoOM83luSmqWrgXlJ7WVIwqMgu-tECKwF9/s1600/raisz+IN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-CTp3VO8T4wRH-7HJOMBJI_o_BIo3-incNfemtqXUyvlgWLySIGZJii_udGzPIV6EhLh3YOTnDaadV54rpsaXu6AbdmwhNszP_a5JZuoOM83luSmqWrgXlJ7WVIwqMgu-tECKwF9/s640/raisz+IN.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">My route went from a little above and to the right of the "V" hatchmarks which stand for the city of Valparaiso to Mishawaka, which is directly east of South Bend.</td></tr>
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The route was very shady compared to any other day on this trip. On some days in Montana and the Dakotas I had virtually no shade and in Minnesota and Wisconsin I had at most 5% shade on any given day. Today about 25% or maybe even 33% of the route was shaded, which I really appreciated because it was warm and muggy. The high prevalence of shade is due in part, I think, to the sandy soil and in part to the high population density along much of the route. Sandy soil means that the land is not very good for agriculture so there are fewer farms. In prosperous farming areas, farmers tend to clear out most trees, even near the roadside. A high population density means support for creating bike paths and for planting trees along roadways. High population also means that the back roads are more often paved, therefore I don't have to use paved state or national highways which are rarely shaded. Furthermore, this part of Indiana benefits from the economic dynamism of Chicago and is growing in population. Population growth reduces the amount of farmland and often, but not always, adds shady roads.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMhbNQm7cs5G5PLJNp7JbI2824HCv2Vil8P7fCisZ9aHV0ZpOSGacx-ycWoeBvF4fv7ThKrbpAGIs-4mpnsiezYlFn5G49Nq095OrpjX6vei_1or2xoiuj8gKrUCu9RiG4XQk_WfB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMhbNQm7cs5G5PLJNp7JbI2824HCv2Vil8P7fCisZ9aHV0ZpOSGacx-ycWoeBvF4fv7ThKrbpAGIs-4mpnsiezYlFn5G49Nq095OrpjX6vei_1or2xoiuj8gKrUCu9RiG4XQk_WfB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A smooth and well maintained bike trail near Chesterton, IN, although the picnic table is not too usable.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfcStwruoNWfhZFi3aq0qdT5mpPLoEJr6i-ZWAI8LW3b_oE_ODIC_8wdFRB6mL-FySpAD_Z3LqNQkbzWoEhPWecat9Whybf8RFPztjmBG_lkHc8obpbo-UFzNWEipawIZFkVkINSe/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfcStwruoNWfhZFi3aq0qdT5mpPLoEJr6i-ZWAI8LW3b_oE_ODIC_8wdFRB6mL-FySpAD_Z3LqNQkbzWoEhPWecat9Whybf8RFPztjmBG_lkHc8obpbo-UFzNWEipawIZFkVkINSe/s640/IMG_3812.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">In Chesterton I waited patiently at this crossing. I knew it would be a long wait because the train began with seven locomotive engines.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLWoivGxhVt89U6ufTGy8wqZbo2o3wxBZkJd2EGcVHA0uhnPlBk4nfvTA2yjJInTA0votxANerG9U8POKSGxjl2a0SUoygwRquqTxx65AQfyRVGWXN6XVY8gzQtVGBV7lN0Z0SD4t/s1600/IMG_3813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLWoivGxhVt89U6ufTGy8wqZbo2o3wxBZkJd2EGcVHA0uhnPlBk4nfvTA2yjJInTA0votxANerG9U8POKSGxjl2a0SUoygwRquqTxx65AQfyRVGWXN6XVY8gzQtVGBV7lN0Z0SD4t/s640/IMG_3813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This big hill surprised me with the suddenness with which it appeared. When I got closer I saw that it was surrounded by a high barbed wire fence. Technically it's a landfill, but because it rises more than 100 feet above the surrounding area, colloquially it's a "trash mountain." </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nYV-z9eUBGkShSXaSydwJLEp8UjVwzsg1Svx7bNOISDuG7ZcRe0Mkp880gbIHeVRIWTksFBNN6r6q0QMKF_fujDe0S5JbO25YLyGSB2RFbJ07g_To2SgYh1McWeOz5sfh_iz_b93/s1600/IMG_3816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nYV-z9eUBGkShSXaSydwJLEp8UjVwzsg1Svx7bNOISDuG7ZcRe0Mkp880gbIHeVRIWTksFBNN6r6q0QMKF_fujDe0S5JbO25YLyGSB2RFbJ07g_To2SgYh1McWeOz5sfh_iz_b93/s640/IMG_3816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The other side of the trash mountain has a facility that harvests methane. This is definitely a worthwhile project, because methane is a potent greenhouse gas and the methane is marketable.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLtayspov-_d7-Q3cHaE6YTe45of9HCKSfcXetRU_OY_5w_iu-CP3D_dmUxKRaY1tyqHWcGCYqAx_Ihz-H71cGx9ZhUjiwDGNS70nC5WIF6ycPdOxHGZzodLWrbBRMo8I5yyv2ohS/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLtayspov-_d7-Q3cHaE6YTe45of9HCKSfcXetRU_OY_5w_iu-CP3D_dmUxKRaY1tyqHWcGCYqAx_Ihz-H71cGx9ZhUjiwDGNS70nC5WIF6ycPdOxHGZzodLWrbBRMo8I5yyv2ohS/s640/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Folk art on a barn in Coolspring, IN.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnWZm2n_Ac57BxbU6JhKDuaZLEd_ddfxHPqfwIdsP7FGAUc7hvmEiyv91L-2hlWWCkjyRyFsEpBVKIO8Bs_Yi0Z96id3niVOwh5uDRuRe6Vm8BXvt3Yjo_TWlhXNuWcxK4DAuU9Kg/s1600/IMG_3821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnWZm2n_Ac57BxbU6JhKDuaZLEd_ddfxHPqfwIdsP7FGAUc7hvmEiyv91L-2hlWWCkjyRyFsEpBVKIO8Bs_Yi0Z96id3niVOwh5uDRuRe6Vm8BXvt3Yjo_TWlhXNuWcxK4DAuU9Kg/s640/IMG_3821.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
One of many shady, lightly traveled roads I enjoyed on today's ride. This one is in Coolspring., IN</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1GhC0bhsA-u-nT2qVaRnsj6jlUogmEtNRPgjkHabH_FRR1Pp_-xouOMdwI8lvC66sBsWyJ_R_dfkbottmOHIbhbUwYkqmqGeF_aVinVCYdaKL2cC3v8EnXjAAqqcH-ymBW-aYCPQ/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1GhC0bhsA-u-nT2qVaRnsj6jlUogmEtNRPgjkHabH_FRR1Pp_-xouOMdwI8lvC66sBsWyJ_R_dfkbottmOHIbhbUwYkqmqGeF_aVinVCYdaKL2cC3v8EnXjAAqqcH-ymBW-aYCPQ/s640/IMG_3827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I go for recycled bicycle sculptures. This one is in Center, IN.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8WiBmipK7mCxlZJsYWhC_lwCKhR3ZcF-Vnz0siSrf9PC972fx0pSZhIN78JYkmtkaJFrDCvKArkZo7DAevi5_Rq-ad7sb7nv_0DdOWOyuF3EaT8VWJA_Ap_TdPv9a8w1s9Ms-fxa/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8WiBmipK7mCxlZJsYWhC_lwCKhR3ZcF-Vnz0siSrf9PC972fx0pSZhIN78JYkmtkaJFrDCvKArkZo7DAevi5_Rq-ad7sb7nv_0DdOWOyuF3EaT8VWJA_Ap_TdPv9a8w1s9Ms-fxa/s640/IMG_3830.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This sculpture is presumably by the same person who recycled the bicycle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-R-Dz0T2MGathCeYUis4zdQhBX2nubh695S6F8Jm6osQgxHwO8Pqy4w_kQdXxeo4lP0xu58nI7EeqziXBRUxp0pW_HijYzoO53tJVAm8YkhMSYcGkIICBcxc7ruGeUc6V0yucO3p_/s1600/IMG_3833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-R-Dz0T2MGathCeYUis4zdQhBX2nubh695S6F8Jm6osQgxHwO8Pqy4w_kQdXxeo4lP0xu58nI7EeqziXBRUxp0pW_HijYzoO53tJVAm8YkhMSYcGkIICBcxc7ruGeUc6V0yucO3p_/s640/IMG_3833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Dog picture for Cindy and Peter. This big black lab had a fearsome bark but responded positively to my calming words as I took the photo. When I biked away the dog resumed barking and ran a long ways besides me--doing his or her sentinel job well. This dog probably gets a lot of exercise chasing cyclists because of the location on two bike routes.</td></tr>
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Somewhere along this part of the route the soils and topography changed. I like this <a href="http://media.wfyi.org/NaturalHeritage/learn/soils.html">quotation</a> as an explanation of what shaped the physical landscapes I was passing through here in Indiana and most other states on this trip - except of course for the Driftless Area in Wisconsin: "The simple story of the soils of Indiana is largely one of glacial action. Thousands of years ago great ice sheets hundreds of feet thick spread over most of the state, scraping down hills, filling valleys, and grinding the rocks to gravel and flour. -T. M. Bushnell, The Story of Indiana Soils (1944)." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCIYDruBI1NR3yVrFaj1Ylm3Zce2t5j2S-qDNV_M8JfY4LSzSHzsY5m-Wr-SmjAyxlUIcEABdPqfE8fE_8TrAhO-AM1Wz59gKAUKCOw4JlTcLKCcfHCpvj3WRbd2S07tpUT2Kt50n/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCIYDruBI1NR3yVrFaj1Ylm3Zce2t5j2S-qDNV_M8JfY4LSzSHzsY5m-Wr-SmjAyxlUIcEABdPqfE8fE_8TrAhO-AM1Wz59gKAUKCOw4JlTcLKCcfHCpvj3WRbd2S07tpUT2Kt50n/s640/IMG_3834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">My back roads reverie was rudely interrupted by a several-mile stint on US 20. It was busy enough that sometimes both lanes going my way were full, sometimes with trucks. There was not much shoulder either. On the other side of the road is a cornfield--I had seen little corn up to this point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUyPKRNe0eBsb6qA5n33Yl0m9sf_PkrT0ucwaVFzZiV0VlaytcmFyGTkjkadUTBCciilB8nJvdgIk_VDpsPX2AYtMkyKUDL2ZJOk-B2Knijkw6DdPlq3CtyjItSaHwvR7E3oFbKAM/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUyPKRNe0eBsb6qA5n33Yl0m9sf_PkrT0ucwaVFzZiV0VlaytcmFyGTkjkadUTBCciilB8nJvdgIk_VDpsPX2AYtMkyKUDL2ZJOk-B2Knijkw6DdPlq3CtyjItSaHwvR7E3oFbKAM/s400/IMG_3836.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Corn is a globalized commodity. This sign refers to SyngentaAG, a Swiss agribusiness whose biotech corn produced in the US led to China rejecting all corn imports from the US in late 2013.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq8x5pegj7Ftz1MApHehRkB5jLYbxf44Mcq-EldL6AGv_8Tf3tBhoXiKl8Z9VcbCS255RMEkl4wYoQUG-tq05LHlQd3lwNpVe545ddkS0PkUoEsTttm1n0zojKq3h7AI6weffNRfI/s1600/IMG_3839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq8x5pegj7Ftz1MApHehRkB5jLYbxf44Mcq-EldL6AGv_8Tf3tBhoXiKl8Z9VcbCS255RMEkl4wYoQUG-tq05LHlQd3lwNpVe545ddkS0PkUoEsTttm1n0zojKq3h7AI6weffNRfI/s640/IMG_3839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A wheel line irrigates the highway in Olive, IN. I got a little cooler when I went through it. This part of the route is in the very flat Kankakee Basin (see Raisz map above).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBShhNVC95rkm3Z9dB1njiR26qPtphieuaZXdCoOrIarfi0frX7EdvDTy-mFp1uMLOnbditEGVrip8xZ4WMlbbOCirn4ZOPY0dJg8yDffTOzZt1pDDpaN-KaANSdABRwd0BgFyW5V/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBShhNVC95rkm3Z9dB1njiR26qPtphieuaZXdCoOrIarfi0frX7EdvDTy-mFp1uMLOnbditEGVrip8xZ4WMlbbOCirn4ZOPY0dJg8yDffTOzZt1pDDpaN-KaANSdABRwd0BgFyW5V/s640/IMG_3849.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Roadside memorial in Warren, IN.</td></tr>
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On the final part of my route I went through the suburbs of the South Bend/Mishakawa metro area. Google Maps did a nice job of mostly routing me on quiet residential roads in this area of 300,000 plus people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9qNvWRU5Rs4hFKE-FuaHAyE4ylXbG7qKOYnz0ciGSROypAPfmrl2Y658MvOdsDWnN4cMXBs01w_-zSSdtEjfxhql6Rz2phMT_GyMq7krZrcoQ6iZk8UiqCnZ0e8Ua0pUPiy5JgMZ/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9qNvWRU5Rs4hFKE-FuaHAyE4ylXbG7qKOYnz0ciGSROypAPfmrl2Y658MvOdsDWnN4cMXBs01w_-zSSdtEjfxhql6Rz2phMT_GyMq7krZrcoQ6iZk8UiqCnZ0e8Ua0pUPiy5JgMZ/s640/IMG_3851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">St Joseph River just north of South Bend. A truck on I 80/I 90 is visible through one of the girders in the middle of the bridge.</td></tr>
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I got lucky for dinner this night. A good Lebanese restaurant was a short walk from my motel. The night before I had to make do with an overdressed chef's salad at the motel where I stayed.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-46753220773569677142015-08-31T22:30:00.001-04:002016-04-21T23:20:02.259-04:00Day 36, August 30: Chicagoland from top to bottomMettawa, IL to Portage, IN http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150830-0740<br />
Trip distance: 80.0 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 2060.0 miles<br />
Average speed: 12.1 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 20.5 mph<br />
Riding time: 6:35<br />
Weather: I started at 7:40 with a temperature of 65<span class="wx-unit">°</span> and a dew point of 64<span class="wx-unit">°</span>. It was foggy and some streets and bikeways were damp from yesterday's rain. A couple of hours later light rain fell. I took a snack break and waited it out for about half an hour. The sun burned off the fog by the early afternoon and temperatures reached the low 70s. An afternoon breeze came in from Lake Michigan, and this provided a little tailwind for me in a few spots.<br />
Terrain: uphill 2017 feet, downhill 2286 feet. The route profile below reflects that I started away from Lake Michigan at a higher elevation, was close to the shoreline for about 40 miles, and then moved a little ways inland toward the end. The elevation of Lake Michigan is 577 feet above sea level. The elevations below are naturally a little above that, and they will almost certainly be the lowest elevations of this trip.<br />
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Chicagoland is a local name for the Chicago metropolitan area. The term is also the name of CNN mini series and is in the title of Chicagoland Vampires, a series of urban fantasy vampire romance novels by American author Chloe Neill. Below is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_metropolitan_area">map</a> of Chicagoland and below that is a map of my route. I entered the top of the Chicago metro area the day before from Wisconsin and crossed into Lake County, IL which borders Wisconsin. Today, I got to the bottom of Chicagoland, so to speak, when I finished in Portage, IN in Porter County, the one on the extreme right in the map below.<br />
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<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Chicagoland_Map.svg/200px-Chicagoland_Map.svg.png" /> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWXhTCm3e94_RDPQ7n1y9SECP7cMosiqbUyX8iVKH8JZ7NmAOy6cFlZFdAw2xjAPt17X2jvFkR-KJ4Yy1NfQ9BPTR_vSNFHMZJKTGYkTB9vCxjS_3ThlWbsYEofgle20_7T3XQz9L/s1600/cyclemeter+route+chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWXhTCm3e94_RDPQ7n1y9SECP7cMosiqbUyX8iVKH8JZ7NmAOy6cFlZFdAw2xjAPt17X2jvFkR-KJ4Yy1NfQ9BPTR_vSNFHMZJKTGYkTB9vCxjS_3ThlWbsYEofgle20_7T3XQz9L/s640/cyclemeter+route+chicago.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
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My Google Maps phone app chose a complicated bike route to get me to Lake Michigan to the start of the Chicago Lakefront trail. The app uses bike paths whenever possible, and this is usually a good thing, although in one instance it routed me on to some sort of limestone composition trail that caused problems for me (see below). Sometimes I prefer roads to bike trails because the roads may be in better condition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPdp6AaWfX_a_Z8cRjLV2wOX1GZsNzfjwTaVv56QxWqZMMBBVD_QMo4GVRLSjmZoMrqJiKdxnb3oQUD88_gcElV-QWgbbH3FsxSqVyzbf2wamyBztWOFngikK7rerXBVkQo0ph7th/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPdp6AaWfX_a_Z8cRjLV2wOX1GZsNzfjwTaVv56QxWqZMMBBVD_QMo4GVRLSjmZoMrqJiKdxnb3oQUD88_gcElV-QWgbbH3FsxSqVyzbf2wamyBztWOFngikK7rerXBVkQo0ph7th/s640/IMG_3756.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Skokie Valley Trail makes creative use of the space used by power lines. The path is a little wet from the previous rain, and it can't dry very quickly because of the damp weather.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixrEw2S9OuLHTb0n3wUMaYE5TCoWuDIETINWv8-LNutJnSOKsvaRIICZO_rAh4MRjVpjXRUZ7O0f9VIaJamcO1bnyT1qOr9h0V2QMyy5Het8F3h65t7Zuw9eXAjVHRahh5iBcWFZW/s1600/IMG_3758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixrEw2S9OuLHTb0n3wUMaYE5TCoWuDIETINWv8-LNutJnSOKsvaRIICZO_rAh4MRjVpjXRUZ7O0f9VIaJamcO1bnyT1qOr9h0V2QMyy5Het8F3h65t7Zuw9eXAjVHRahh5iBcWFZW/s640/IMG_3758.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Biking on this trail was a mistake. I hit a hidden puddle or two and kicked up a fine grained limestone slurry over much of my bike, the panniers, and my clothes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7kEefQZVR6zD0RDcQklrE_aHpxS3CyAkiXrOjQm9ju6Bql7JEjDru67K17rbzESzLYnVqfHNf2kqEgX1BTJp7iAtNO7nzMLNhBideLwFh2yPYCNbi2euQT1WtI8MMnA1LAJa5DoO/s1600/IMG_3760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7kEefQZVR6zD0RDcQklrE_aHpxS3CyAkiXrOjQm9ju6Bql7JEjDru67K17rbzESzLYnVqfHNf2kqEgX1BTJp7iAtNO7nzMLNhBideLwFh2yPYCNbi2euQT1WtI8MMnA1LAJa5DoO/s640/IMG_3760.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I went by Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I got closer to Lake Michigan automobile traffic started to jam up. It turned out that the Chicago Triathlon was being held today and this caused some street closures. About 30,000 people participated in the triathlon and there were lots of spectators and volunteers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs_Umxs2oHPhAgrKbbCF_Lfz2G_SM61cKPzjInDenw4nHMS-uTlNWomIUuWVb1jx08UojE3IUkZFN4Je7vfncXdARp3uj5SU37YnoMCg8F59JqqDjnk8BfvGMZm5JxUikfcrB1r2s/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs_Umxs2oHPhAgrKbbCF_Lfz2G_SM61cKPzjInDenw4nHMS-uTlNWomIUuWVb1jx08UojE3IUkZFN4Je7vfncXdARp3uj5SU37YnoMCg8F59JqqDjnk8BfvGMZm5JxUikfcrB1r2s/s640/IMG_3762.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Chicago Triathlon participants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I got onto the Lakefront Trail at its northern end and rode its entire 18-mile length. The trail connects beaches and recreational amenities and serves as a commuting route. On this Sunday there were several thousand cyclists and pedestrians on the trail. It's the biggest group of cyclists I have ever seen, and that's not counting the triathlon cyclists on nearby roads. Most cyclists had their own bikes while some were using Chicago's blue Divvy bikes, which are part of a metropolitan bike rental scheme.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTfviQelU654bXWpAkL0XKbye5yoyx9i8NdrTMMWy0COuoGUS_eraZxj7G85FTJGlGvNEt-hqOJm9dsRNJ7B4QatuyuI43hl0919AqBmH8qYoHllBRzF4gYBbqp1fR242neJlQFls/s1600/IMG_3775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTfviQelU654bXWpAkL0XKbye5yoyx9i8NdrTMMWy0COuoGUS_eraZxj7G85FTJGlGvNEt-hqOJm9dsRNJ7B4QatuyuI43hl0919AqBmH8qYoHllBRzF4gYBbqp1fR242neJlQFls/s640/IMG_3775.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Lakefront Trail riders with tennis players in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkEBOdjd2x25oT9djD8NaPNUvoGbHUOoe04b4-0fyE45LJbsrVuPECHWLEo4YCZ754I8XFRVoMAlvq2YAUuKCrokMd4b1UCXfXQHSNZfghkj7RrOv54jQREGkTMa0knhMl9LH1z6k/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkEBOdjd2x25oT9djD8NaPNUvoGbHUOoe04b4-0fyE45LJbsrVuPECHWLEo4YCZ754I8XFRVoMAlvq2YAUuKCrokMd4b1UCXfXQHSNZfghkj7RrOv54jQREGkTMa0knhMl9LH1z6k/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Above and to the right of the two cranes, the top few floors of the Aon Center are visible. The third tallest building in Chicago, its<br />
nickname of "Big Stan" comes from the days when it was the Standard Oil Tower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYztDmAkCOVZyXwKwuSocs2GvFp6YLAR4zTKSK5vDpWfs4I72izdBLxfDdL8GvkJUSO6wvwY6-ZGlyLjqZOxe6N0Url0Lp85s-0z4gRAVTxHJaX0F2clGwtJutMaAXg-F6LnedrAz/s1600/IMG_3785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYztDmAkCOVZyXwKwuSocs2GvFp6YLAR4zTKSK5vDpWfs4I72izdBLxfDdL8GvkJUSO6wvwY6-ZGlyLjqZOxe6N0Url0Lp85s-0z4gRAVTxHJaX0F2clGwtJutMaAXg-F6LnedrAz/s640/IMG_3785.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Creative bike parking near a volleyball facility.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZ9wQK-RvDLUcaVWcwTvJhn_8YLS4I51RsZ3bnGuv03KU1VWrNIlcJ3RU8D7sp1jc67u3pLFQjvJhXCWeyCPybQJ8gFWJb7noTtcEUawgER7ycGVaMZQdeYg7pYAVai1PPYeKPvof/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZ9wQK-RvDLUcaVWcwTvJhn_8YLS4I51RsZ3bnGuv03KU1VWrNIlcJ3RU8D7sp1jc67u3pLFQjvJhXCWeyCPybQJ8gFWJb7noTtcEUawgER7ycGVaMZQdeYg7pYAVai1PPYeKPvof/s640/IMG_3788.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">On this section of the trail, the concrete slopes down toward the lake. It was a little unsettling keeping my bike balanced. It would be more challenging if the pavement was wet or had gravel on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBdHQ0llmJRYyYc5_rM4VNwy2dcuOXJeo-myobu8zZV3HI0-bukHb9moYBRLT8tsFK_MCqlVGSy7QWun9z0tTJvGmdvQbo_ujvrDHadx7Eywl3McrpzxSHVlaJREoOW43FOTj_Nl6/s1600/IMG_3790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBdHQ0llmJRYyYc5_rM4VNwy2dcuOXJeo-myobu8zZV3HI0-bukHb9moYBRLT8tsFK_MCqlVGSy7QWun9z0tTJvGmdvQbo_ujvrDHadx7Eywl3McrpzxSHVlaJREoOW43FOTj_Nl6/s640/IMG_3790.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I am on the lake side of the bridge over the Chicago River. The base of Trump International Hotel and Tower is visible on the right. It is the second tallest building in Chicago. For pictures of the whole building, see the Wikipedia <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_International_Hotel_and_Tower_(Chicago)">article</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcctAerf1xPN6h-oHwgfmAzVxDur3o8Td5NfbEWPYXQbQVvINi6oHNQSjb6WcSCAZFVALf7MOY0BBn7ATgCTLpvZ7H5IxUeBXgWdYhwad05qFktxXIbKqDHNUSwtTSTuz-4b-8FM6/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcctAerf1xPN6h-oHwgfmAzVxDur3o8Td5NfbEWPYXQbQVvINi6oHNQSjb6WcSCAZFVALf7MOY0BBn7ATgCTLpvZ7H5IxUeBXgWdYhwad05qFktxXIbKqDHNUSwtTSTuz-4b-8FM6/s640/IMG_3792.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Chicago River shown here is the reason for Chicago's location. The river was the key part of the Chicago portage, which allowed movement of goods from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River system. The river originally flowed out to Lake Michigan, but because the filth it poured into the lake caused major health problems, the city reversed the river's flow. In 1900, the City completed a project that caused the river to empty into the newly completed Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After I finished cycling on the Lakefront Trail, I navigated my way through residential, industrial, and commercial areas in Chicago's far south and east neighborhoods and in Hammond, IN and Gary, IN. I stopped to get a sandwich at a market on South Shore Drive, but although the store was open the kitchen had just closed. Another customer sympathized with my plight and gave me a card for Vera's and she recommended it enthusiastically. I took her advice and had a nice lunch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fVr271AvtQ5xeuVtfDtnNs0jbLa2y60rZ0dh1y9WIFqJRqWcUdwk0onSK0iqOycOzGpaowTQj4VwBKsf01wCORvlfoKgLym1P2ZBApp0p0AmCXlGQU4hFw8Ny-HV2iC883q3lCIA/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fVr271AvtQ5xeuVtfDtnNs0jbLa2y60rZ0dh1y9WIFqJRqWcUdwk0onSK0iqOycOzGpaowTQj4VwBKsf01wCORvlfoKgLym1P2ZBApp0p0AmCXlGQU4hFw8Ny-HV2iC883q3lCIA/s640/IMG_3794.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I had a Chicago-style Polish sausage sandwich at Vera's in the South Chicago neighborhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YDfVbpiM2gEwQbZedUbHGBOSIAFm6RMypyuHlhsYfqA8w2zGBYxbqbnuFDO5OktzfN1QSuyESPfTvVltG3cFypxPwYE2tRmoQmlrY641ZsxMHYiEqZjjCgrOoEDfegHaDp5K0s-i/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YDfVbpiM2gEwQbZedUbHGBOSIAFm6RMypyuHlhsYfqA8w2zGBYxbqbnuFDO5OktzfN1QSuyESPfTvVltG3cFypxPwYE2tRmoQmlrY641ZsxMHYiEqZjjCgrOoEDfegHaDp5K0s-i/s640/IMG_3796.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Mural on a South Chicago apartment building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I passed through several neighborhoods of widely varying character. South Chicago is struggling but showing signs of progress. East Chicago is a largely Latin neighborhood with tidy, well maintained homes, and Hammond has nice homes too. The part of Gary I saw suffers from disinvestment, although housing renovation here and there shows some commitment to improving the community.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm1Ls8NtLDUP1cxEwkR-98CGfktb92QdhPVQ2UpYOhY3nLYrt4sBfmi3BJG5qO6ex_YGzwXfkbWEvQNFxxyQ-kkb0OdP_4AcmLwvAjY6brGtRWwAQMfKBlL0RvzeIwJqt2IBAmdTb/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm1Ls8NtLDUP1cxEwkR-98CGfktb92QdhPVQ2UpYOhY3nLYrt4sBfmi3BJG5qO6ex_YGzwXfkbWEvQNFxxyQ-kkb0OdP_4AcmLwvAjY6brGtRWwAQMfKBlL0RvzeIwJqt2IBAmdTb/s640/IMG_3797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Homes in the Hessville section of Hammond, IN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcymqe2jY_EpetW-65lS0gBwo5NGkRlXYrkGdXGGX_hJjbjwTEgiNsaOvJos9Ys9_25l83KdxK3hsKKjrlOZjbgcbgGD-DkH-89g_2xnNUEctYatQVdPTdwZyZAO1uOraJDlSs9Mm/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcymqe2jY_EpetW-65lS0gBwo5NGkRlXYrkGdXGGX_hJjbjwTEgiNsaOvJos9Ys9_25l83KdxK3hsKKjrlOZjbgcbgGD-DkH-89g_2xnNUEctYatQVdPTdwZyZAO1uOraJDlSs9Mm/s640/IMG_3799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Abandoned homes in Gary's Midtown neighborhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mrKRUXnnZQnpVAhnJ6Fe3V8cp-BKS0_qT3LzlxNv4zKI02nMbJPPVxQRK00mUv8x63jxYPrlnSj5mVpNyQw0Gis3YDYsD5855Mkd4VnVNl26L6V11o1IHjNguG1p2vWC3bvP-Dlh/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mrKRUXnnZQnpVAhnJ6Fe3V8cp-BKS0_qT3LzlxNv4zKI02nMbJPPVxQRK00mUv8x63jxYPrlnSj5mVpNyQw0Gis3YDYsD5855Mkd4VnVNl26L6V11o1IHjNguG1p2vWC3bvP-Dlh/s640/IMG_3800.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This picture was taken across the street from the previous photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCThplN0qWNoE_DG7EGMALqCbuIzOoM4gUXNOSQNn3q7ZRbZIOFqGRWDpwjgEMeQNRjKrKzuP4Qu_biAaCS1LLuaj0qKiccLNZowHdQSqemoZF7yIOvVcPDuc1EhF8HsgkubCemB25/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCThplN0qWNoE_DG7EGMALqCbuIzOoM4gUXNOSQNn3q7ZRbZIOFqGRWDpwjgEMeQNRjKrKzuP4Qu_biAaCS1LLuaj0qKiccLNZowHdQSqemoZF7yIOvVcPDuc1EhF8HsgkubCemB25/s640/IMG_3801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The City of Gary presumably does not have the money to repair the stoplight so they put up a stop sign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnopBhVhHHk8ZVC9JEvLMzpgDeyCPk3F4RPpX9d1jlnLn2Cv7nUJrfuYrjFBws90htRjMCSOJjFaEhGZkLKGO3hny_ME3lYkay5EAMFa6WFMXPMUXWHNJ7BkMY4udgDiWiJkg55_d0/s1600/IMG_3803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnopBhVhHHk8ZVC9JEvLMzpgDeyCPk3F4RPpX9d1jlnLn2Cv7nUJrfuYrjFBws90htRjMCSOJjFaEhGZkLKGO3hny_ME3lYkay5EAMFa6WFMXPMUXWHNJ7BkMY4udgDiWiJkg55_d0/s640/IMG_3803.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The long closed United Steelworkers Local 909 (the name is barely visible on the brick tower) office in Gary's Aetna neighborhood reflects the loss of well paying jobs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next four photos are of a decaying mall along US 20 in Gary's Miller Beach district. The first is a screen capture from the Cyclemeter map in satellite view showing the mall as well as the path I took while taking photos.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBzc9KO8UBEwLaN1JWzOl7LLMCs93n1AXi7yGnEwYYsSbKQtiTiYzR8HYlS0VLlz2aY48_Mi7-5qnkyJ529PL_1oJn5FfD63rKN2U4fUjSAveUdCbZORLlM8C0fjMz2LpKDczbln4/s1600/dead+mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBzc9KO8UBEwLaN1JWzOl7LLMCs93n1AXi7yGnEwYYsSbKQtiTiYzR8HYlS0VLlz2aY48_Mi7-5qnkyJ529PL_1oJn5FfD63rKN2U4fUjSAveUdCbZORLlM8C0fjMz2LpKDczbln4/s640/dead+mall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Aerial view of decaying mall in Gary from my Cyclemeter map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuLZ4iXJS5aAmF6uELPe4-RWPDAPPJksAhHFGjOaSBPvHiL12Fs0DT96EC4Cidr15cPDtKhoNo4xNbF5XHIfK1LuMcCROm7eZWsKZV_w3r2ZBLn6noNqHf71_X5Bbdh7RYTsPoQVN/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuLZ4iXJS5aAmF6uELPe4-RWPDAPPJksAhHFGjOaSBPvHiL12Fs0DT96EC4Cidr15cPDtKhoNo4xNbF5XHIfK1LuMcCROm7eZWsKZV_w3r2ZBLn6noNqHf71_X5Bbdh7RYTsPoQVN/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Some reuse is evident on the left while the right side of the mall is abandoned.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXukdxeZFcfYMD_9ez5-jrzoWbMvhdmIV5YxVcsgA8HYiSLOULKPP37FMsK3GtgSDmRm3Wm8feaCYsRP8QRfhialyqhi_hijsxN9COhKA1Pms9ecGzHpi3HuCojU9sEjq2f6RPTl4/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXukdxeZFcfYMD_9ez5-jrzoWbMvhdmIV5YxVcsgA8HYiSLOULKPP37FMsK3GtgSDmRm3Wm8feaCYsRP8QRfhialyqhi_hijsxN9COhKA1Pms9ecGzHpi3HuCojU9sEjq2f6RPTl4/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">First a grocery store, I think, then a paintball facility, and then the roof fell in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO7f79JGwguIU2bhHOw8DbON3Lzz3twtaj-kE0LYMcYEdVk-hWU4XZlZRnbON6JzCgmeQAuULlnAhQdMZusjevr3k_bywrjsJhXhE7OoArlWux57ApT_nyZ_b6mMCBsnUqamq-e91/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO7f79JGwguIU2bhHOw8DbON3Lzz3twtaj-kE0LYMcYEdVk-hWU4XZlZRnbON6JzCgmeQAuULlnAhQdMZusjevr3k_bywrjsJhXhE7OoArlWux57ApT_nyZ_b6mMCBsnUqamq-e91/s640/IMG_3808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">What seems to be a former bank is now a private gentleman's club.</td></tr>
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As noted in previous posts I am winging it from day to day when it comes to the turn by turn details of route plotting--I rely on Google Maps to do it for me. Mostly it's great, but they do lead me astray every now and then.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Uh-oh. Google Maps led me down this street--I'd better contact them about this one. My detour was slight and only cost a few minutes of my time as I investigated alternatives.</td></tr>
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Today's ride packed an incredible amount of sights and sounds into one day--way more than any other day of the trip. It was also the first riding day that I did not see a single ear of corn going back for about the last three weeks to eastern Montana. Ironically, a key part of the generation of wealth for Chicago came from turning corn into a commodity crop that could be shipped all over the US, as argued in William Cronon's <i>Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-19663325864381854892015-08-31T22:20:00.000-04:002016-04-20T13:28:46.315-04:00Day 35, August 29: taking a break in Lake Forest, ILI chose this day as a rest day in part because weather forecasts from the previous two days had predicted rain. The forecasts were right, so it was a good day to rest and catch up on the blog. The hotel computer was difficult to blog on because, as I have often found on this trip, computer functions have been compromised by measures taken to address security concerns. I went to a nearby library in Lake Forest, and the computers there seem to be secure but they are also user friendly. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-82456598263413118932015-08-31T22:00:00.000-04:002016-04-20T13:25:50.017-04:00Day 34, August 28: lake districts<div>
Delavan, WI to Mettawa, IL near Lake Forest, IL <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150828-0725">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150828-0725</a></div>
Distance: 72.9 miles (contains about 4 miles of evening errands)<br />
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Total trip distance: 1979.9 miles</div>
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Average speed: 12.3 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 27.3 mph</div>
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Riding time: 5:54</div>
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Weather: temperature was about <span class="wx-data"><span class="wx-value">60</span><span class="wx-unit">° when I started at 8:20 and reached the low 70s. The dew point was in the high 50s. Not much wind at first, and then anywhere from SE to SW at speeds of 3-6 mph as the day wore on. The sky was overcast all day and a few raindrops fell for brief periods, but not enough to dampen any road.</span></span><br />
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Terrain: uphill 1160 feet, downhill 1425 feet. The profile shows lots of small hills as part of a larger downward trend as I approached Lake Michigan.</div>
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The route on this day had lots of recreational landscapes, thanks mainly to the many lakes in Wisconsin's Walworth and Kenosha Counties and Illinois' appropriately named Lake County. The Cyclemeter map below shows the lakes. The Wisconsin portion of the route tends to be more agricultural while Illinois' Lake County has more suburban and exurban development as well as a large green belt of preserved prairie, forest, lakes, and wetlands.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXc4mArGcoBS9EHWwwr936BNpnZyDbSrZ9GMzzgwE2-ZSU12Mz-dhZ-eoJVIEdncAi1Z1pJ8cx8uXtvr9X9UIiutMVRoiPmqBB5HthAbIX4Sfa3SVhqe2P2_xzsq4CrMMcnMBvULk/s1600/IMG_3730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXc4mArGcoBS9EHWwwr936BNpnZyDbSrZ9GMzzgwE2-ZSU12Mz-dhZ-eoJVIEdncAi1Z1pJ8cx8uXtvr9X9UIiutMVRoiPmqBB5HthAbIX4Sfa3SVhqe2P2_xzsq4CrMMcnMBvULk/s640/IMG_3730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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I often saw small cryptic signs at corn field edges such as this one near Geneva, WI. Helena Chemical's website says that Axilo is a broad line of 100% EDTA chelated, dry micronutrients. What is EDTA you might ask. It is Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. According to Wikipedia, ETDA is used to dissove lime scale, the hard, off-white, chalky deposit found in kettles, hot-water boilers and the inside of inadequately maintained hot-water central heating systems. Somehow it must also be useful for growing corn.<span style="text-align: center;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7xuegKMsF0QcefoSioaPeYnRc1BmJyWIRpUwtETnJm25wocJTAIFGl6XDd7FaviHDVo9LhMyXeNUjBWKeuiKwMedNsnvvu-1POBovPJ3JzVCtt5RUamejzv_dAb6PP90Q8rpar9u/s1600/IMG_3731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7xuegKMsF0QcefoSioaPeYnRc1BmJyWIRpUwtETnJm25wocJTAIFGl6XDd7FaviHDVo9LhMyXeNUjBWKeuiKwMedNsnvvu-1POBovPJ3JzVCtt5RUamejzv_dAb6PP90Q8rpar9u/s640/IMG_3731.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Roadside memorial at the edge of a marsh that's part of Geneva Lake.</div>
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The lakes in Walworth County, and maybe Kenosha County as well, are part of a large landform region called the Kettle Moraine, which stretches all the way to Green Bay. I noted in an earlier post that a moraine is an accumulation of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier. Kettle refers to a hole in the ground made when a chunk of glacial ice got entirely or partly buried in glacial sediment and subsequently melted. Kettles can be large or small.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreiPQO7XRdMwuiD9fL4mEq6Ps1wIrPzvRQsFHW5uvSXYp1WgnHjH__AC6Ils15fvt1wUxR6A68rpIHyMordQuWw3E8vbVNcZI4Ev2JbPIcJtHpR343STKmqV2RGJXKqdAv0Uomj24/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreiPQO7XRdMwuiD9fL4mEq6Ps1wIrPzvRQsFHW5uvSXYp1WgnHjH__AC6Ils15fvt1wUxR6A68rpIHyMordQuWw3E8vbVNcZI4Ev2JbPIcJtHpR343STKmqV2RGJXKqdAv0Uomj24/s640/IMG_3734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Geneva Lake is the largest lake in the three counties I biked through. It is a kettle lake. This photo shows part of the tourist infrastructure in the wealthy city named Lake Geneva. The town of 8,000 is popular with tourists from Milwaukee and Chicago.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9FcAKZHw1HjSo2xWMq9kuvEyfMfWDRZ_BYbfYqv3lPAcNXsGWDJl78ihakXxiSGA7jhfJgxm9iJUGTRo_pW_8qSNu6xFgMdwakPNPh9SdiKRc0wrYr4wJTvTUVp9AF5LuMbAw4ot/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9FcAKZHw1HjSo2xWMq9kuvEyfMfWDRZ_BYbfYqv3lPAcNXsGWDJl78ihakXxiSGA7jhfJgxm9iJUGTRo_pW_8qSNu6xFgMdwakPNPh9SdiKRc0wrYr4wJTvTUVp9AF5LuMbAw4ot/s640/IMG_3738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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The city of Lake Geneva has a set of railroad cars used to house tourists.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGrNyEaRPZsZ_Xyzf4Rk-0pqVxRhjR7ZX6UFWWSqoJfxKqVEaUx71uhfWIRf0ZgR4I4eNWzMr_DfAKXf5TVW8aO18DKTBBzaM1OWY7rrwcG7Vrw7DmYylgKp-1X7v7w2BV418fLQa/s1600/IMG_3741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGrNyEaRPZsZ_Xyzf4Rk-0pqVxRhjR7ZX6UFWWSqoJfxKqVEaUx71uhfWIRf0ZgR4I4eNWzMr_DfAKXf5TVW8aO18DKTBBzaM1OWY7rrwcG7Vrw7DmYylgKp-1X7v7w2BV418fLQa/s640/IMG_3741.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Hooking a big one on top of Mad Dan's Cafe in Twin Lakes, WI.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeOiYNXLTx_S1E8mOQlir0lW92f-GRY9gFKKYRiS9Y_688S4o23WJAhuqxN93WNt-Zehk29j0H5JLn0JZnUShJrJEnADkNlZG1L4PwlGE_naokL-8ExcPSp3y6Obu-dS9kaqF2TWR/s1600/IMG_3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeOiYNXLTx_S1E8mOQlir0lW92f-GRY9gFKKYRiS9Y_688S4o23WJAhuqxN93WNt-Zehk29j0H5JLn0JZnUShJrJEnADkNlZG1L4PwlGE_naokL-8ExcPSp3y6Obu-dS9kaqF2TWR/s640/IMG_3743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Rock Lake is a small kettle lake near Twin Lakes, WI.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjADuOPXaa_bl4YL6ezh8lCBFsxAy5f2XnovqBnbnOeLA4cPZz7kbtLSOBiU8Lz13eESuYQX5tClwd6EtN-yXkA8_YcoBwmeS7c9wdXeZxNdHK0b2JBSXbek6DowJ9CYgu5deQfzjG/s1600/IMG_3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjADuOPXaa_bl4YL6ezh8lCBFsxAy5f2XnovqBnbnOeLA4cPZz7kbtLSOBiU8Lz13eESuYQX5tClwd6EtN-yXkA8_YcoBwmeS7c9wdXeZxNdHK0b2JBSXbek6DowJ9CYgu5deQfzjG/s640/IMG_3744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Cedar Lake is near Lake Villa, IL. Passenger trains brought Chicagoans to the lake beginning in 1886. The service stopped at some point, and then was revived in 1995. A guy getting ready to fish told me that it's the second cleanest lake in Illinois. I later saw an Illinois state report from several years ago stating that Cedar Lake had a clarity of 12.5 feet. That sounds pretty clear to me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKzFjKd5B98uAJQ6m49MhQddPtZ7ccYSb9s-e6BaR7aD4sb1gR1haPos-I17bf8nONJ8_9cN-1GSTaA44kUkgZTN_xKmtQ-MqRWBKNuT2WxEri4PoRmIOajQaC9JZag4dUhZ_JuqX/s1600/IMG_3746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKzFjKd5B98uAJQ6m49MhQddPtZ7ccYSb9s-e6BaR7aD4sb1gR1haPos-I17bf8nONJ8_9cN-1GSTaA44kUkgZTN_xKmtQ-MqRWBKNuT2WxEri4PoRmIOajQaC9JZag4dUhZ_JuqX/s640/IMG_3746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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The Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve at Third Lake, IL is one of many nature preserves in Lake County. Together, these preserves form a green belt. My guess is that this green belt exists because of a county or multi-county effort to retain areas of largely undeveloped or wild land near urban areas.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-70816618283825080882015-08-29T17:00:00.000-04:002015-10-22T18:23:34.648-04:00Day 33. August 27: three-ring circusMadison, WI to Delavan, WI <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150827-0818">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150827-0818</a><br />
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Trip distance: 72.0 miles (includes several miles of evening errands)</div>
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Total trip distance: 1906.9 miles</div>
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Average speed: 12.2 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 24.7 mph</div>
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Riding time: 5:53</div>
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Weather: at the 8:10 start it was 59° with a dew point of 55°. The temperatures were in the 60s and reached the low 70s for a little bit. It was sunny all day long. Winds were mostly south for the day, varying from 3 to 8 mph.<br />
Terrain: uphill 1314 feet, downhill 1451 feet. The route passed through a glaciated area of low hills and plains. The low point on the profile at the 40-mile mark is the Rock River. The route map below the profile shows numerous lakes created by glaciers.<br />
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Route map generated by my Cyclemeter phone app.</div>
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For the last four days I had the advantage of using detailed route maps that Tom produced for earlier trips. Making a day's route takes many hours of work, and time is something I am short on, so after deciding my endpoint for the day I left it up to my phone's Google Maps app to chart the course. The routes are complicated, because Google Maps' bicycle layer usually avoids major highways and chooses routes that have lots of turns. Eventually I turned on the phone's voice command, put the phone in my handlebar bag, and pointed the phone toward my head to reduce the number of times I'd have to stop and look at the phone's maps. Listening to Siri give voice directions worked quite well most of the time.</span></div>
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Madison has lots of bike-oriented infrastructure, including bike lanes and bike/pedestrian overpasses over busy roads. This picture shows a small bit of the Capital City Trail.</div>
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Horse farm on the outer edge of the Madison metro area.</div>
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Nice stand of chicory, a common and pretty roadside plant.</div>
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One of several tobacco fields near Albion, WI. <a href="http://www.wisfarmer.com/features/growing-tobacco-in-wisconsin-once-important-for-states-farm-economy-----jcpg-334820-222535611.html">Tobacco production</a> is down from 38,000 acres in 1938 to maybe 1,000 acres today. I saw quite a few dilapidated tobacco barns.</div>
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Tobacco leaves are hanging in the barn in a farm near Albion, WI.</div>
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This picture includes the barn shown in the previous picture. This picture shows another drying barn to the left. Judging by the appearance of the house, this farm looks prosperous. </div>
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Soybean field near Albion. The few stray corn plants suggest a field in a corn/soybean rotation. Soybeans enhance soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. The <a href="http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/articles/duffy/DuffyDec11.html">trend</a> in some parts of the country has been to plant continuous corn because of economic considerations although environmentally it's probably a bad idea.</div>
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Angus in silhouette.</div>
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Barn and yard with eye catching ornamentation. Near Avalon, WI.</div>
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Biking down this road I was astonished to see the amount of hay stored in these hoop-shaped sheds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj259JfjMJkOgwIbx-kTYsCQ47ti2Wb6bjZl8RB3d3Pt0u9l2jzSqedH4nj8VlHZe-MYSPnvYf_HAnrDsS_FBITe42LKmrZ2syF3C345PG9afv0hgg7Uk8NiYBBB7kLB7cUfa9RofT1/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj259JfjMJkOgwIbx-kTYsCQ47ti2Wb6bjZl8RB3d3Pt0u9l2jzSqedH4nj8VlHZe-MYSPnvYf_HAnrDsS_FBITe42LKmrZ2syF3C345PG9afv0hgg7Uk8NiYBBB7kLB7cUfa9RofT1/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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It then became apparent that it's a huge dairy operation.</div>
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The main entrance to Rock Prairie Dairy is on US 14. This Wisconsin State Farmer <a href="http://www.wisfarmer.com/leadstories/137695613.html">article</a> describes the operation favorably. </div>
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I reached my destination of Delavan, WI in the late afternoon. Its motto is "19th Century Circus Capital of America." A plaque on an elephant statue notes that Delavan was home to 26 circus companies between 1847 and 1894.<br />
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Some little girls horsing around on a giraffe statue in Delavan. The statue memorializes the town's circus heritage.</div>
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Two girls clowning around for a friend on another circus statue in Delavan.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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I stayed at the Evergreen Motel in Delavan. The motel property was a little unkempt, but I love a place with pink flamingos. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-84052764074672930652015-08-29T16:41:00.000-04:002015-10-22T18:22:54.333-04:00Day 32, August 26: down in the valleys and up in the hollowsNew Richland, WI to Madison, WI <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150826-0800">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150826-0800</a><br />
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Trip distance: 74.4 miles </div>
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Total trip distance: 1834.9 miles </div>
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Average speed: 12.7 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 36.2 mph</div>
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Riding time: 5:49</div>
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Weather: at 8:00 the temperature was 49° and the dew point was 49°. Later in the day the dew point rose to the high 50s. Temperatures remained in the 60s for most of the cloudy day getting to 70° or above during a few periods of sunshine. Winds were zero during the early morning and later they were 3–6 mph. The wind direction was northerly so I mostly had crosswinds as I proceeded eastward.</div>
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Terrain: uphill 2860 feet, downhill 2516 feet. Richland Center and the other towns I passed through for the first 30 miles were in relatively flat valleys. The route profile shows elevations for this stretch staying at about 750 feet. Then I climbed several big steep hills and made a steady ascent toward Madison. The final big hill is Old Sauk Pass.</div>
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Today's route resumed in the Driftless Area. I had the advantage of using the detailed route maps that Tom produced 8 years ago. The two Cyclemeter maps show the ruggedness of the uplands contrasting with the smoothness of the Pine River valley running southeast from Richland Center on the map directly below and of the much larger Wisconsin River valley seen in both maps below. Toward the end of my ride, around the 65-mile marker on the second map, the Driftless Area gives way to smoother glaciated terrain in the western suburban areas of Madison. </div>
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The dew point of 49° was the same as the temperature when I started, so it was not surprising to see the fields covered with dew and to see mist in the nearby hills.</div>
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Corn in the foreground, hills and early morning mist in back.</div>
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Early morning mist with corn in the middle ground.</div>
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Three sand hill cranes in a pasture. They were part of a group of about a dozen.</div>
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I rode in the flat Wisconsin River valley for about 18 miles and then crossed the wide and sandy Wisconsin River just south of Spring Green. Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin studio is near this bridge. He was born in Richland Center.</div>
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Wisconsin River, tributary to the Mississippi River. The river has many sandbars, and people like to camp on them.</div>
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After crossing the river, I climbed some ridiculously steep hills that took forever and did some descents that tended to end very quickly. The two named hollows I went through were Amacher and Knight. The former was wide enough for large cornfields while the latter was tight with a few narrow fields. <br />
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Part of beautiful Amacher Hollow.</div>
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I got back down in a valley along Black Earth and Cross Plains where I biked through long tunnels of corn along County KP (all of Wisconsin's county roads are designated by single or double letters). I saw quite a few bicycle "share the road" signs.<br />
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The corn dwarfs my bike near Cross Plains.</div>
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Sharing the road with bicycles is not a sentiment shared by all.</div>
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The route profile above shows a really big hill at the end of the route. I believe this hill is the eastern edge of the Driftless Area. I climbed a few more hills and made my way through Madison's western suburbs and get to my motel. Fortunately one of Madison's best Thai restaurants is near my motel and I had a delicious meal.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-22682839653279159442015-08-29T14:40:00.001-04:002016-04-19T22:07:21.812-04:00Day 31, August 25: alone in the unglaciated zone<div>
La Crosse, WI to Richland Center, WI </div>
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<a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150825-0757">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150825-0757</a></div>
Distance: 78.7 miles<br />
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Total trip distance: 1760.4 miles</div>
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Average speed: 12.4 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 39.2 mph</div>
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Riding time: 6:18</div>
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Weather: at our 8am start it was about 60 degrees and the wind was mostly northwest at about 8 mph and got slightly stronger later in the day. The hilly terrain mostly negated wind effects. The air was dry with a dew point in the high 40s. The temperature warmed to the upper 60s on a mostly cloudy day.<br />
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Terrain: uphill 4170 feet, downhill 4065 feet. These are the highest numbers for my entire trip. The profile below shows that after we left the Mississippi River Valley around the 12-mile mark we had several uphills and downhills of about 500 feet of vertical.</div>
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This day is the third and final day that Tom rode with me. Each of the three routes we did repeated ones from earlier trips. The routes on the first two days duplicated those of a 2001 trip to Dubuque, Iowa, and today's route matches the third day of our 2007 ride to Madison, WI. Tom is an organized guy, and I was not surprised that he produced backup copies of maps from years earlier. This saved us a lot of work. Much time and effort goes into planning routes because we try to avoid busy roads and use paved back roads. Today's route avoided US 14 and US 61. We were mainly on lightly used county roads, except for the first dozen miles or so out of La Crosse. The biggest town of the day, except for the start and finish, was Viroqua, with a population of about 4,300 people. We often rode side by side, something we could not do as much on the first two days.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Google map showing our route from La Crosse to Richland Center. The largest town of the day, Viroqua with about 4,300 people is at the halfway point.</td></tr>
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A major reason we were mostly alone on the roads is that we were in the Driftless Area, an unglaciated zone of rugged topography with deeply carved river valleys. Drift in this context refers to silt, clay, sand, gravel, and boulders deposited by glaciers. The Driftless Area in Wisconsin and neighboring states (see map below) has few of these deposits, and in addition, glaciers did not smooth out the terrain, leaving it rugged and with fragile looking outcrops. Some of the valleys reach a depth of 500 or 600 feet, as we personally experienced. We entered the Driftless Area the day before, as evidenced by several of the photos showing steep bluffs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This landform map by Erwin Raisz shows most of the Driftless Area, although portions in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa are missing (to see the missing bits, go to the Raisz <a href="http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~231095~5508485:United-States----Physical-Landforms">map</a>). La Crosse is on this map, but our terminus, Richland Center, is not--it is in the river valley below the "E" of the word "Area."</td></tr>
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We left the northern section of La Crosse and headed toward downtown with a lot of commuters. After a couple of miles of traffic we got off the main road and stuck closer to the river in an industrial and railroad district.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2glx7vlEtQwez_EHzwZibo4rIFtUh3NWnNqLZyb5FEMSijbdKP_CD-rp2UynYqs9P7CMcVFgmsUiOiXMljRcEGD9ptQY2wRcdYcQwdwCKPpcEenwWHZ9AxbetTiHewnne1A4Q56W/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2glx7vlEtQwez_EHzwZibo4rIFtUh3NWnNqLZyb5FEMSijbdKP_CD-rp2UynYqs9P7CMcVFgmsUiOiXMljRcEGD9ptQY2wRcdYcQwdwCKPpcEenwWHZ9AxbetTiHewnne1A4Q56W/s640/IMG_3646.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Orange flames against a blue sky in an industrial district along the Mississippi River near downtown La Crosse.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTgDWG2J_-EOTnEu7gBRb39LNCr4A3IZK_dFChTjWLzxY8hvzoHFZ2GyNroyJtiD8NAaXDq3SBAn3vw7Y49qyFezO2koG1n8F1VegqXk4wLNivT7occCk0xvxRV15VgPRcPcasjg_/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTgDWG2J_-EOTnEu7gBRb39LNCr4A3IZK_dFChTjWLzxY8hvzoHFZ2GyNroyJtiD8NAaXDq3SBAn3vw7Y49qyFezO2koG1n8F1VegqXk4wLNivT7occCk0xvxRV15VgPRcPcasjg_/s640/IMG_3649.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Trains rolled by frequently, sometimes several times an hour, when we were near the Mississippi River today and on the previous two days.. </div>
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About a dozen miles south of La Crosse we veered inland and rode several miles uphill along Chipmunk Coulee. In Wisconsin, coulee refers to a steep-sided valley. Much of the Driftless Area is too rugged for row crops, but the uplands have some crops and pasture, and some of the fields are contoured. The land was too uneven for straight roads of any length.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzENwJJ92yD-BAFkPJwIN_lV88PeKfAzoqj4oWwB5C2ss73AgDBiPBEbxa0MlZ087avv-98vlC_CwjddLECGc1qJ35crogBFnlUyoMkX0zINd8BCCc7nev3ViwXD6FIMyb77uiRjj/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzENwJJ92yD-BAFkPJwIN_lV88PeKfAzoqj4oWwB5C2ss73AgDBiPBEbxa0MlZ087avv-98vlC_CwjddLECGc1qJ35crogBFnlUyoMkX0zINd8BCCc7nev3ViwXD6FIMyb77uiRjj/s640/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Contoured corn field, that is, the corn roughly follows contour lines of equal elevation.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfojFC5p85uN4VsXCxv9hYvKztSJj-BRTzPROMpTs_F2xR1JDS_fuP8j-ZZv1mrIG4b4Lpj0RbZi3KxkMuWdCeZvrtWyEWhlPGtQ_cymQAqbnvqWpcpgdJIp9c5dCcSh-hje0Hj4aU/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfojFC5p85uN4VsXCxv9hYvKztSJj-BRTzPROMpTs_F2xR1JDS_fuP8j-ZZv1mrIG4b4Lpj0RbZi3KxkMuWdCeZvrtWyEWhlPGtQ_cymQAqbnvqWpcpgdJIp9c5dCcSh-hje0Hj4aU/s640/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Uh oh--looks like a steep and winding climb.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIJurj1lAn96gjtOzIAoX8W4vl-iTnu367feFgbxVeB8TXkHUrVJTmMTI8fpWbOISq4kLsJDcR2z2UZhvgAt8UPWINabjn_9RfaplGru9qPnLOtejJ9F86w-pXPXyG19eX-jJCc43/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIJurj1lAn96gjtOzIAoX8W4vl-iTnu367feFgbxVeB8TXkHUrVJTmMTI8fpWbOISq4kLsJDcR2z2UZhvgAt8UPWINabjn_9RfaplGru9qPnLOtejJ9F86w-pXPXyG19eX-jJCc43/s640/IMG_3655.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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We just huffed and puffed up this long and winding hill behind Tom.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q0Rq5c13pzFEufjPYoIxJn4t6YQsyNYN_KysAEf0v6kRebtTr8xTtna_q61zyn8fgoCyhwWaT1VewQE-D1-E2zbdSqUvbCFdbBDQ_THcTDsSYtiJAjxfvqoHqD_zcokr27MW3Q73/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q0Rq5c13pzFEufjPYoIxJn4t6YQsyNYN_KysAEf0v6kRebtTr8xTtna_q61zyn8fgoCyhwWaT1VewQE-D1-E2zbdSqUvbCFdbBDQ_THcTDsSYtiJAjxfvqoHqD_zcokr27MW3Q73/s640/IMG_3660.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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We got to go down this hill. Some of the hills were steep enough that we had to squeeze the brakes a little to stop from careening off the road.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r22GFCZrhb3fsBf61xIl7BaHMOo_ArHADOeSxk0b4w_NEHO_YinlokpaHVglsEwi6WuRyRWL_JKY-6RhMSg4ldW0JE1Axj447JjvFrstlL1YS1MVXio_S6DUC9oZ1czzUhJI5k6g/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r22GFCZrhb3fsBf61xIl7BaHMOo_ArHADOeSxk0b4w_NEHO_YinlokpaHVglsEwi6WuRyRWL_JKY-6RhMSg4ldW0JE1Axj447JjvFrstlL1YS1MVXio_S6DUC9oZ1czzUhJI5k6g/s640/IMG_3662.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Puffy white clouds, blue skies, and a tail wind. The wind sock shows a northwest wind of about 5 mph. The wind helped us out when we were in open areas in the uplands.</div>
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Tom noted that this part of Wisconsin has a disproportionately high percentage of organic farmers. In Chaseburg we saw a creamery run by Organic Valley. We had a delicious lunch at the Viroqua Food Coop Market and Deli, where they emphasize local and organic food. It was an impressively large and well run operation for a town of 4,300 people. Well maybe not well run in every regard. Tom got a newbie employee and had to wait awhile for his panini.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDtD8isIV25Dh-TY0wVnyIEWeQuiWba32ei3rQMyksXEuxN_QTXX6WV5OGet2pxVgG3quocKSWiiKiqrnft8Ig4nZuaulLrf7iTiIKpxXVXIWBhpzzHgycGOSbvD6Vo0Q51A-o-Sa/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDtD8isIV25Dh-TY0wVnyIEWeQuiWba32ei3rQMyksXEuxN_QTXX6WV5OGet2pxVgG3quocKSWiiKiqrnft8Ig4nZuaulLrf7iTiIKpxXVXIWBhpzzHgycGOSbvD6Vo0Q51A-o-Sa/s640/IMG_3651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Organic Valley's Chaseburg Creamery.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP0nr2W_PTEwgwk9Clc-8w6btRMv1jFrmEMk6j6-u8QMKGwzZIzhyphenhyphenVCrT3fh3Pie81xBej55y8SpR4u1o0qp1ntqWoYns9XUfz7FLtACMvcLQMfzXrew1oaUAdrQLe4PseOih_Iky/s1600/viroqua-food-coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP0nr2W_PTEwgwk9Clc-8w6btRMv1jFrmEMk6j6-u8QMKGwzZIzhyphenhyphenVCrT3fh3Pie81xBej55y8SpR4u1o0qp1ntqWoYns9XUfz7FLtACMvcLQMfzXrew1oaUAdrQLe4PseOih_Iky/s400/viroqua-food-coop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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We recommend this coop for tasty food.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY9bk-bef4w09LVqlVRGLiaHLUmOpFxGCHlPWknhPLkiZojQbkcHN7sQhO38aTI_-akYbsA8drFsFAroWKwCeLqKCzPU05K8jWogTFGnxylihitZC8OPNOJMSreF6PvBFA53UUL3O/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY9bk-bef4w09LVqlVRGLiaHLUmOpFxGCHlPWknhPLkiZojQbkcHN7sQhO38aTI_-akYbsA8drFsFAroWKwCeLqKCzPU05K8jWogTFGnxylihitZC8OPNOJMSreF6PvBFA53UUL3O/s640/IMG_3656.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Viroqua promotes world peace. This memorial is on Viroqua's Main Street.</div>
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Viroqua seemed like a prosperous town. It's a county seat, an agriculture service center, and supports several art stores with the name "Driftless" in them. We passed through another town starting with a "V," Viola. It only has about 800 people and is not doing so well. When we went through it eight years ago, we enjoyed the sign below, but alas, the sign is now gone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp9MKw-fLlrGqWMYY-3Qa4dExBQL5LW4oXQAzj8v1dgOcXbsrU3ziZNfZ0VfKPkmDp1l5K4aAZBb6sUPfwTbP9BL1NQemrHhGNaF4PzAU8W2rtN-qDT1IcWaEaVqGf7MGvrGnExvO/s1600/41viola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp9MKw-fLlrGqWMYY-3Qa4dExBQL5LW4oXQAzj8v1dgOcXbsrU3ziZNfZ0VfKPkmDp1l5K4aAZBb6sUPfwTbP9BL1NQemrHhGNaF4PzAU8W2rtN-qDT1IcWaEaVqGf7MGvrGnExvO/s640/41viola.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
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Flashback! A picture from our 2007 trip shows Tom in Viola. On the current trip eight years later, he is wearing the same neon yellow jersey.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUY2QjcB05TPSi7wiINYKUsetLbz4osR0qjcrBOJ710g_2nElflr-z8sQQbTE9WFGSLAWaBSnQenGqfDkZW74OYagO5Hs5NYrggpPjlg4ySq83hmrVgdcZu13VJS-Mb-CJn9bcJPuL/s1600/IMG_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUY2QjcB05TPSi7wiINYKUsetLbz4osR0qjcrBOJ710g_2nElflr-z8sQQbTE9WFGSLAWaBSnQenGqfDkZW74OYagO5Hs5NYrggpPjlg4ySq83hmrVgdcZu13VJS-Mb-CJn9bcJPuL/s640/IMG_3665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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We end the day's ride in Richland Center, and stop by the Richland County Republicans office. We think they should have the same sign shown in the previous photo posted on the building. No, just kidding, no political humor here.</div>
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Pam drove to Richland Center to pick up Tom. We had a decent meal at a nearby Mexican restaurant. As Pam noted, this dinner did not compare favorably to most of our other bike trip completion dinners, which are usually at a fancy restaurant. Pam makes great dinners for us before we leave Minneapolis for bike trips. A few days ago she prepared shrimp linguine and fresh slices of tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and herbs. The fresh Colorado peach pie a la mode was so good that I proposed canceling the trip and just eating peach pie instead.<br />
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I was sad to see Tom and Pam go after they dropped me off at the motel in Richland Center. It was the same one we stayed in eight years earlier. I stood there for some moments as they drove away. This three-day trip was one of the best Tom and I have ever done, and it probably had the best weather. It's hard to top three days of tailwinds with unseasonably cool temperatures and no threat of rain. Tom and I and bikes go way back. In the early 1970s we organized small group rides of five or so from south Minneapolis to a lake 25 miles away and then back. Beginning with Tom's proposal of a trip to Fargo, ND in 1996, we have done eighteen trips in the last two decades. That is a lot of time together in close quarters--enough time to make each other crazy. In a recent <a href="http://www.startribune.com/after-pedaling-america-saddle-sores-lessons-and-more-from-3-100-miles-on-the-road/304556401/">bike blog</a> recording a cross country tour by two buddies for the <i>Minneapolis Star Tribune</i>, Tony Brown wrote that "Fifer and I have known each other many years and have ridden many miles, but we each discovered new and profound ways that the other is annoying." I can say that Tom is not annoying. Well maybe there are two exceptions. He is exceedingly well prepared and cautious--after more than 70 straight motels accommodated our bikes, he still checks with the motel each time. I of course don't, and look what happened at the Pepin Motel (see Day 29 post). He was right again. The other annoying thing is that I have a fancy new bike and his tour bike is a banged up 15-year old LeMond, but he still glides down hills faster than I do. I have to pedal with some effort to keep up with his downhill glide. Sometimes I catch some effortless gliding in his draft though. That's what friends are for, right? I figure he owes it to me. After all, I am older. If I remember correctly, I was born on 7am, August 11, 1951 and he was born about an hour later. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-18594350270502738872015-08-26T00:27:00.002-04:002016-04-18T21:26:33.815-04:00Day 30, August 24; win-wind situation, part 2Pepin, WI to La Crosse, WI http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150824-0803<br />
Distance: 82.9 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 1681.7 miles<br />
Average speed: 14.9 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 25.1 mph<br />
Riding time: 5:34<br />
Weather: It was about <span style="font-family: inherit;">58</span>° when we started at 8am and was mostly in the high 60s. Skies were mostly cloudy.The wind began strong at 10 mph from the north and northwest and averaged about 10-15 mph throughout the day, with higher gusts. Our ride headed southeast, so we had excellent tailwinds.<br />
Terrain: uphill 1210 feet, downhill 1311 feet. Our route stayed close to Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River, so there was not much climbing as indicated by the cross section below. Elevations stayed between 600 - 750 feet.<br />
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Tom and I began our second day of riding from Pepin, WI and eventually reached the north side of La Crosse. After all our years of touring, we still make navigational errors. At the 49-mile mark on the route map below, we continued straight when we should have gone right so that we would reach Trempealeau, which is at the 59-mile mark. We therefore added about 6 miles to our route, and had to fight a strong crosswind to boot. There is a smaller deviation from our intended route at the 74-mile mark which cost us about 3 extra miles. Oh well.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The one large "Z" shaped deviation and a smaller "C" shaped deviation below it show our inability to read maps :(</td></tr>
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Our route took us over the Chippewa River, to Nelson, WI, past impressive bluffs, and to Alma, WI. The large amount of sediment deposited by the Chippewa into the Mississippi River caused a backup of water that formed Lake Pepin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPWPO-ft9IW4vr4EOwU6JC29kJgpVxdk94hsDxN8O__VlZzRtijTlrsuG9CyH3zzyAp3bZ9vMklRpMqTqkkaMOSd42SDwqradyRZKzoOUUtJHKJ3bkb9N9qpW1N0avkKsf5xIlLrm/s1600/IMG_3606+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPWPO-ft9IW4vr4EOwU6JC29kJgpVxdk94hsDxN8O__VlZzRtijTlrsuG9CyH3zzyAp3bZ9vMklRpMqTqkkaMOSd42SDwqradyRZKzoOUUtJHKJ3bkb9N9qpW1N0avkKsf5xIlLrm/s640/IMG_3606+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Sediment from the Chippewa River helped create Lake Pepin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbujUmKYsjtwn33otDxkoxH5N6epYSr-qMKXI2ISsXIUI0Knk82tbfQZZEou6O4YMV1-t4UW_xbuOkRI5sYAKxvlCXQ3bzCXgNEkPSAKdP-Cmnuf2uGnhESIJzuFHdrIyGpmTNU2XF/s1600/FullSizeRender+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbujUmKYsjtwn33otDxkoxH5N6epYSr-qMKXI2ISsXIUI0Knk82tbfQZZEou6O4YMV1-t4UW_xbuOkRI5sYAKxvlCXQ3bzCXgNEkPSAKdP-Cmnuf2uGnhESIJzuFHdrIyGpmTNU2XF/s640/FullSizeRender+-+Copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Firefighter and bike rider in Nelson, WI.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The Mississippi River valley is defined by bluffs from 200 to 600 feet high on each side of the river.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Bluff near Nelson, WI. </td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Downstream view of Lock and Dam No. 4 at mile 752.8 of the Mississippi, River at Alma, WI. In <a href="http://tmacd.com/Bike01/">2001</a>, we photographed this lock and dam from upstream.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Power to the people. The huge Dairyland Power Cooperative power plant at Alma, WI. </td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The Dairyland Power Cooperative power plant burns coal brought by river barge.</span></td></tr>
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A little ways past Alma we stopped for a snack and two bike riders from Sheffield, England saw us and stopped to chat. A couple in their early to mid 30s, they had begun a tour of North America last February. They have biked an extraordinary 7,000 miles so far. Starting on the west coast, they have visited, among other places, Utah, Montana, the Yukon, Saskatchewan, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Future destinations include Columbus, OH and Toronto, Ontario. As with several other cross country cyclists that I have met on this trip, they sometimes make use of Warm Showers, a free worldwide hospitality exchange for touring cyclists.<br />
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The two Sheffield riders have ridden 7,000 miles on fully loaded, sturdy touring bikes with four panniers on each bike. They each had a pair of Crocs attached to one of their panniers. His bike and gear weighed an astonishing 110 pounds and her bike and gear weighed almost as much at 102 pounds. The bikes did not have fat tires, but their tires were not skinny like ours either. They did not train for the trip and in the first weeks they averaged 40-50 miles per day, and then 60-70 miles a day, but on several occasions they have topped 100 miles, once reaching 115 miles. It was easy to believe that they could ride 100 miles, because we later noticed that their touring speed nearly matched ours, and our bikes weigh about 45 pounds each with gear. We were awed by their achievement.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaWO5QusCIZ5iTlAINfwLt370sAvs90Sn6CCAoEsyOyhJ51B0s3ut7G4kHeNKhbOf6r6eaZkPX-nyMyjAbhtUStjgSB4ecWwpV7VtSEfahh88Lt7Y5zQ11lifIM95COT_LhzPH8t4/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaWO5QusCIZ5iTlAINfwLt370sAvs90Sn6CCAoEsyOyhJ51B0s3ut7G4kHeNKhbOf6r6eaZkPX-nyMyjAbhtUStjgSB4ecWwpV7VtSEfahh88Lt7Y5zQ11lifIM95COT_LhzPH8t4/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The two cyclists from Sheffield, England in front of Tom have logged an amazing 7,000 miles on their tour of North America.</td></tr>
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Toward the end of our ride we went by the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, the village of Trempealeau, WI, and the city of Onalaska, WI.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOwy6_KE7E0zyU3NRBSHjArrfoL7vJUNPdeFmEGK8x_ElUnw10PbhLOD0VufKlJ72RJn8YYzrMSHuLM7dtS6fPFMQ9RgNQx99q7zqTJJGbcaahjBsutZHe3p_7POHH0QfCwgLyE7k/s1600/IMG_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOwy6_KE7E0zyU3NRBSHjArrfoL7vJUNPdeFmEGK8x_ElUnw10PbhLOD0VufKlJ72RJn8YYzrMSHuLM7dtS6fPFMQ9RgNQx99q7zqTJJGbcaahjBsutZHe3p_7POHH0QfCwgLyE7k/s640/IMG_3636.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">In the background is a slough at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Mississippi River valley bluffs in Minnesota are in the distance. A slough is typically used to describe wetlands. Sloughs along the edges of rivers form where the old channel of the river once flowed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYJ4rkDTEl-LgYTa_jIhZL1IHWWLFbANcKOctVxarKKqCkSs0XgCv1i1J4bQrnhXWuYiQ4PjYrLiChHywRASb7K_qIiS6NegMchdSjYJIMKTJwZQ4mCMRWCsSvSyJXlCEwLndqfKV/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYJ4rkDTEl-LgYTa_jIhZL1IHWWLFbANcKOctVxarKKqCkSs0XgCv1i1J4bQrnhXWuYiQ4PjYrLiChHywRASb7K_qIiS6NegMchdSjYJIMKTJwZQ4mCMRWCsSvSyJXlCEwLndqfKV/s640/IMG_3637.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Big fish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXz-aNpqvNSuggvcA0ILkerYT4YaFGFoZClev1kHRmpH0UdwzmBS_aWovY4Zt0CrOobm_q-pTipl8MQqWtkBKqUAIzCqfnIluA3Wolo4K2Aqii2gQvqeHLpfGXLMkHcVGRfT9LAAU/s1600/IMG_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXz-aNpqvNSuggvcA0ILkerYT4YaFGFoZClev1kHRmpH0UdwzmBS_aWovY4Zt0CrOobm_q-pTipl8MQqWtkBKqUAIzCqfnIluA3Wolo4K2Aqii2gQvqeHLpfGXLMkHcVGRfT9LAAU/s640/IMG_3640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Another big fish. It has been here since at least <a href="http://tmacd.com/Bike01/">2001</a>.</td></tr>
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We arrive at our destination of La Crosse in the late afternoon. The name originated from the game with sticks that resembled a bishop's crozier or la crosse in French, which was played by Native Americans there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMWs7PGogrGFE8fGS231n2d_N_JrTK72B0YjotbQ8Aq10lLn4H3xGztcpIPYsE9jVzQePUJCMh2r5hqt48xUTHNN_jMBG9CkiEcoqla7xjqWGEISw3bAP4xuRoGJV4ZiejoPkE3jr/s1600/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMWs7PGogrGFE8fGS231n2d_N_JrTK72B0YjotbQ8Aq10lLn4H3xGztcpIPYsE9jVzQePUJCMh2r5hqt48xUTHNN_jMBG9CkiEcoqla7xjqWGEISw3bAP4xuRoGJV4ZiejoPkE3jr/s640/IMG_3641.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">La Crosse players.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj__6N9V3d6Tr22bGsoAJ3ES2_xVdMd6_ytVFcpo1-vQ8NvyVq7GLPgl4LLrigToVfLVB4D4cog0V-GbnMNYibbrh8k6Lf7NrR6-f1vrIEZj-623XPp76kNFj5z7qNIKK2DfLqeECa/s1600/DSC00111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj__6N9V3d6Tr22bGsoAJ3ES2_xVdMd6_ytVFcpo1-vQ8NvyVq7GLPgl4LLrigToVfLVB4D4cog0V-GbnMNYibbrh8k6Lf7NrR6-f1vrIEZj-623XPp76kNFj5z7qNIKK2DfLqeECa/s640/DSC00111.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Somebody<a href="http://aroundperu.blogspot.com/2015/01/passenger-pigeon-monument-and-some.html"> else'</a>s winter picture shows the La Crosse welcome statue in detail.<br />
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Below is the wind record for Alma, WI for the day. I chose it as representative for the day's winds. The red line on the wind speed chart shows winds of 10-15 mph, and the blue squares show gusts up to 25 mph. The other chart shows north and northwest winds that blew at our backs. The wind helped us reach an average speed of 14.9, which I believe is the second fastest average we have had on any trip. In our 2005 <a href="http://tmacd.com/Bike05/">South Dakota - Minnesota</a> tour, we average 16.1 mph for the second day. Tom said that at our age the average speed should get a multiplier. Any way you look at it, it was a win-wind situation.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Wind speed and direction for Alma, WI on August 24 from <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KONA/2015/8/24/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Alma&req_state=WI&req_statename=&reqdb.zip=54610&reqdb.magic=1&reqdb.wmo=99999">Weather Underground</a>.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-13379776227380171812015-08-23T21:17:00.001-04:002015-09-09T09:44:44.673-04:00Day 29, August 23: win-wind situation, part 1Tom MacDonald rides with me from Minneapolis to Pepin, WI <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150823-0805">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150823-0805</a><br />
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Distance: 88.5 miles</div>
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Total trip distance: 1598 miles </div>
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Average speed: 13.9 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 34.3 mph</div>
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Riding time: 6:21</div>
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Weather: it was 60° with west winds of about 10 mph when we started at 8 o'clock. The winds eventually reached 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts for most of the day. We saw whitecaps on the Mississippi River and on Lake Pepin. Lake Pepin is a widening of the Mississippi River that covers about 40 mi.² The wind vacillates between west and northwest. Our route was mainly east with some south, so we enjoyed strong tailwinds. The sky was mostly cloudy.</div>
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Terrain: uphill 3011 feet, downhill 3166. The route profile shows three big downhills and two big uphills. These hills involved descending the bluffs to the Mississippi River Valley or ascending the bluffs out of the Mississippi River Valley. The elevations of 750 feet or lower represent roads along the Mississippi River or Lake Pepin.</div>
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As I noted toward the beginning of this blog,Tom MacDonald and I have done <a href="http://tmacd.com/">17 bike trips</a> over the years. Most were four days long and went 300 miles or more. This week Tom took a couple of days off from his job at Cray, Inc., where he manages a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_%28programming_language%29">Chapel programming language</a> development team. He will bike with me for three days, beginning on this day, Sunday, August 23.<br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Tom and I are set to depart on our 18th multi-day bike trip.</td></tr>
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A fierce storm blew through the Twin Cities last night as a cold front displaced warm humid air. By morning the streets were dry because of a strong west wind. We felt a few drops during the first hour; otherwise it was a gray, cool day, with the high temperature of 66° being 11° cooler than the normal high.<br />
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Our route began in south Minneapolis at Tom and Pam's house. We went through Minneapolis neighborhoods to the Mendota Bridge and crossed over the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIV3gcEUV-Ww9oykXFS4GhjxEYZAIpzXGmEDbqCanqP0gaTRoZcirDgpaGre0M3u9VIbEZheyzM934iKnaVFocQ9JCQ1e7FFrntrBsrCX9820mizmh2TOLc2NUGCBFsMRqL_kdR2s/s1600/google+screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIV3gcEUV-Ww9oykXFS4GhjxEYZAIpzXGmEDbqCanqP0gaTRoZcirDgpaGre0M3u9VIbEZheyzM934iKnaVFocQ9JCQ1e7FFrntrBsrCX9820mizmh2TOLc2NUGCBFsMRqL_kdR2s/s640/google+screen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Google Maps terrain view screen-grab with route overlay showing the start in south Minneapolis and the finish in Pepin, WI.</td></tr>
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After several miles of traveling through suburbs and exurbs we got to the huge Pine Bend refinery. Next we blew into Hastings, MN, a small river port city and then ride along the river to Red Wing, MN. There we enjoy walleye sandwiches on the St James Hotel veranda, which is mostly sheltered from the wind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIrmB91rUJYQo2IGy4s_PZY6g-FbsYKFDA10VNxjx9SMWGew82a2bhd_Pb83GoyTt-IR9YTKAFl2GJ41XbHzh3ZshDVBIn3HLP5CL2PER4C3iFxjaUMvtWV4opNHXtpZ1kvtd_ZPX/s1600/IMG_3584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIrmB91rUJYQo2IGy4s_PZY6g-FbsYKFDA10VNxjx9SMWGew82a2bhd_Pb83GoyTt-IR9YTKAFl2GJ41XbHzh3ZshDVBIn3HLP5CL2PER4C3iFxjaUMvtWV4opNHXtpZ1kvtd_ZPX/s640/IMG_3584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The brisk west wind, by now gusting above 20 mph, inflates the wind sock in the upper left background as well as filling Tom's jacket and making him look like the Incredible Hulk.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Mural depicting the Mississippi River heritage of Hastings, MN.</td></tr>
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We cross the Mississippi at Red Wing and enter Wisconsin.<br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">History repeats itself. Tom posed in front of this sign back in <a href="http://tmacd.com/Bike01/">2001</a>.</td></tr>
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Some of this day's roads are busy highways, so we take back roads when we can. East of Red Wing, we took 150th Avenue to avoid parts of US 63 and WI 35. The road does not go through, though, because of multiple railroad tracks, so we improvise and portage our bikes.<br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">150th Avenue shortcut is blocked by railroad tracks.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">We look both ways before crossing these railroad tracks to get from one segment of 150th Avenue to the next.</td></tr>
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Lake Pepin is the widest naturally occurring part of the Mississippi River. We enjoy viewing it for about 20 miles. Along its Wisconsin shore are several small towns. Bay City, Maiden Rock, Stockholm, and Pepin have managed to stay economically viable by offering services to people who drive along Lake Pepin.<br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Lake Pepin is in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Lake Pepin with Minnesota bluffs in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Stockholm, WI art gallery.</td></tr>
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We end the day in Pepin, WI and get to the Pepin Motel only to discover that they do not allow bicycles in the rooms and that they have no storage room or any other alternative. We have stayed in more than 75 motels and bed and breakfasts over the years and this is the first time a place rejected bikes. Fortunately the nearby Great River Amish Inn had one room left and we got it. It is important to note that this fiasco would not have happened if Tom booked the room. He still asks, despite 75 straight times that motels have taken us in, if the motel can accommodate bikes. I guess I will follow his example.</div>
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This day had one of our best tailwinds ever, in both strength and longevity. Most of the time we feel fortunate to get tailwinds for an hour or two or on rare occasions for several hours. Today we had strong tailwinds all day long. It is rare for us to average 13.9 mph, which includes urban and suburban riding as well as exploring Hastings and Red Wing. As Tom noted, it was a win-wind situation.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-82435886115352499612015-08-20T14:13:00.001-04:002015-08-21T14:15:25.798-04:00Days 24-28, August 18-22: resting and visiting in the Twin CitiesMy trip is on schedule, so far. Before reaching the Twin Cities I biked 19 days and rested 4 days. I traveled 1,509 miles. Google Maps predicted that I would travel 1,390 miles but I gained extra miles traveling around towns visiting attractions, restaurants, grocery stores, libraries and so on. Google Maps says it will take about 925 miles to get to Mercer, PA.<br />
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I will resume biking on Sunday, August 23. El Primo bicyclist Tom MacDonald will join me for three days of cycling, starting Sunday. I think I will have about 13 cycling days for the remainder of the trip. Add in some rest days, and I expect to get to Mercer around September 9.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-21157026577079205172015-08-20T12:30:00.000-04:002016-04-18T21:50:41.955-04:00Day 23, August 17: Excelsior!(medium resolution photos)<br />
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Litchfield, MN to Excelsior, MN http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150817-0752<br />
Distance: 59.0 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 1508.9 miles<br />
Average speed: 12.9 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 25.0 mph<br />
Riding time: 4:34<br />
Weather: a cold front moved through and brought a lot of rain yesterday afternoon and evening. Some areas got more than two inches of rain. It was 63° at my 7:50am start and rose only to the mid 70s because of cloudiness. The dew point was in the low 60s. The wind started from the north at about 5 mph and varied in direction but was NE at about 7 mph more often than not.<br />
Terrain: uphill 1167 feet, downhill 1332 feet. Elevations changed a lot because of frequent hills associated with the moraines in this area, but most hills had 100 feet of vertical or less. As noted in an earlier post, moraines are accumulations of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3qMIZp_KvCmaP7Cqf-4RB8KVS_NIq122tZvFwBveiSjjyaZ9MO4gWkzYqqCMTS7_5emh2XR8Q74Iv31xe363i4WwmPAfSFwr43AO8VZYjizpYFxhMUxhcuxlFo5EXu5yFdauUm6W/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3qMIZp_KvCmaP7Cqf-4RB8KVS_NIq122tZvFwBveiSjjyaZ9MO4gWkzYqqCMTS7_5emh2XR8Q74Iv31xe363i4WwmPAfSFwr43AO8VZYjizpYFxhMUxhcuxlFo5EXu5yFdauUm6W/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last day of the first half (or more precisely, the first three fifths) of my bike trip takes me from Litchfield, MN to my parent's house in Excelsior, about 17 miles west of Minneapolis. The route goes through an area of glaciated terrain with lots of lakes, moraines, and outwash plains, as seen in the two maps below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Bike route superimposed on a section of an <a href="http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~231095~5508485:United-States----Physical-Landforms">Erwin Raisz landform map</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Start and finish of the bike route on a Google Map in terrain view.</td></tr>
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In the late 1970s my graduate school friend Mike Albert and I took a road and camping trip to the Dakotas. We headed west on US 12 and saw the world's largest ball of twine in Darwin, MN. The twine ball is still there, although it has been moved a few miles to a museum inside the town of Darwin. We also saw a mushroom-shaped building in Dassel, MN. Mike and I were about an hour into that trip when we somehow remembered that we forgot to bring the main pole for the tent and several other items, so we drove back to Minneapolis to get the stuff. We then created a detailed checklist to use before departing on any trip. I have used revised versions of that checklist ever since, but almost always still manage to forget something when traveling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_WAMCOZOA6DmldT0elebFKxz1DRraOOzziEx3Svk698gS-N5_Qasw1xsKsqhqXPUTzkibIUVmNozoZ9bJnNn3bxwxNj56eqKVDNPedauIhpnlJ3L220hih7VCgbxKmjswjCn8uwe/s1600/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_WAMCOZOA6DmldT0elebFKxz1DRraOOzziEx3Svk698gS-N5_Qasw1xsKsqhqXPUTzkibIUVmNozoZ9bJnNn3bxwxNj56eqKVDNPedauIhpnlJ3L220hih7VCgbxKmjswjCn8uwe/s640/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The world's largest ball of twine is in a wood and plexiglass gazebo in Darwin, MN. Several other places in the US, according to <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2128">RoadAmerica.com</a>, also claim to have the world's largest ball of twine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzFoMT9K_LwBHnkT5HTzLbbS8B9KfbGPlI6yxiis6OPCsX8v5lgP9h9UbEMzOoNOfVY4x2-KfX6Z0MbUHlx1eqK2fB4-ly1CrnTabpNtii6TMUUav4rwrkLiPo4p6A5iiaMjqerld/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzFoMT9K_LwBHnkT5HTzLbbS8B9KfbGPlI6yxiis6OPCsX8v5lgP9h9UbEMzOoNOfVY4x2-KfX6Z0MbUHlx1eqK2fB4-ly1CrnTabpNtii6TMUUav4rwrkLiPo4p6A5iiaMjqerld/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This newspaper clipping inside the gazebo shows the size of the twine ball in Darwin, MN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiireMkPueXMkzTef7fYv7IdsLzRFat2vW5pgrVykfyIuOZ_IhjSycRlSP4v_5Hc9yCx3HfGW1qVcfCnEj5YL_MoYYEf8qQxNlfux1IeyBqLxXLr7o7zkdK9VN1sodoJJtlJjdTyX5/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiireMkPueXMkzTef7fYv7IdsLzRFat2vW5pgrVykfyIuOZ_IhjSycRlSP4v_5Hc9yCx3HfGW1qVcfCnEj5YL_MoYYEf8qQxNlfux1IeyBqLxXLr7o7zkdK9VN1sodoJJtlJjdTyX5/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">'Shroom-shaped building in Dassel, MN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Each day on the road I see tools, cords, bolts, car wheel nuts, red flags, pieces of clothing, and other objects on the road shoulders that somehow got separated from their owners.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzf1veghUX1f3z5L7nI_4oAqeo11gCY92dQkp90xfO5VIJs_rJ3FfyGcqX_Ps_iPQkNL32zofNhRoNz6PI4TtxkVb6Vr9xRn7JaLlRBen_JtBieU1TUOb4Dk92WBCWYYU0byZ-e0Uw/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzf1veghUX1f3z5L7nI_4oAqeo11gCY92dQkp90xfO5VIJs_rJ3FfyGcqX_Ps_iPQkNL32zofNhRoNz6PI4TtxkVb6Vr9xRn7JaLlRBen_JtBieU1TUOb4Dk92WBCWYYU0byZ-e0Uw/s400/IMG_3550.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Somebody lost a screwdriver.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiVLKCb7hXo__D8faihpphiwIkA_vj6vQeNZHJaXCGNpG80E-ycxZPyi49xLk0yZ1A6ntUNd6J5zSODn_lcmSWOUqizVqmuMsraOQPZ5H9o_gwnJVsoRfs_0lmxoyCod9S9E3N2A8/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiVLKCb7hXo__D8faihpphiwIkA_vj6vQeNZHJaXCGNpG80E-ycxZPyi49xLk0yZ1A6ntUNd6J5zSODn_lcmSWOUqizVqmuMsraOQPZ5H9o_gwnJVsoRfs_0lmxoyCod9S9E3N2A8/s400/IMG_3551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The bungee cord is the lost object I see most often on the roadside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
As I approached the Twin Cities on US 12 the traffic picked up and evidence of exurban development popped up here and there.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SL8KDh9h0p9M_2qosfKDRL2-vSlAV4IRkzBs5Uvq2m7ODxNoOAuz-CIvnt3MPoc1XtkAo08WHmIaWlc_2u-8SOkzvC3qKkP3oj_WCOhNJz4Sag8PjU1WqDgoJnmw9k3rWTW4Vgar/s1600/IMG_3552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SL8KDh9h0p9M_2qosfKDRL2-vSlAV4IRkzBs5Uvq2m7ODxNoOAuz-CIvnt3MPoc1XtkAo08WHmIaWlc_2u-8SOkzvC3qKkP3oj_WCOhNJz4Sag8PjU1WqDgoJnmw9k3rWTW4Vgar/s640/IMG_3552.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">These trees mark the entrance to a future housing subdivision off US 12. The use of large glacial boulders for landscaping is common in the newer, upscale areas of the Twin Cities.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
The last part of my route threaded through several bays of Lake Minnetonka (see the Google map screen capture above).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgasLx33cHNzuAxFSb7Q0QaD24GzRgcru6l8A6Vp9otPsdYcwdBqmYQ1nwfFZPGANt1YQB7rTRIwE30EC1w2SawuIRLfVvDgYytoZomhwsN78UV7kXAV6kNbJH3hGzKDjr017xt4u/s1600/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgasLx33cHNzuAxFSb7Q0QaD24GzRgcru6l8A6Vp9otPsdYcwdBqmYQ1nwfFZPGANt1YQB7rTRIwE30EC1w2SawuIRLfVvDgYytoZomhwsN78UV7kXAV6kNbJH3hGzKDjr017xt4u/s640/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Excelsior's public beach on Lake Minnetonka. It's a cool day with few swimmers. The swimming dock needs some work. When I swam there in the early 1960s there was a diving board and a high dive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I reached Excelsior, my destination, in the mid afternoon. My parents have lived in Excelsior since 1960, and I lived there from 1960 to 1973. It's where I learned to bike in the early 1960s. I began on a bike that originally belonged to my Mom. I think it was a Schwinn. She got it in the late 1930s and rode the streets of north Minneapolis. The Waterford bike I ride now is a descendant of the Schwinn Paramount. What goes around comes around. My dad had a beautiful bike as a kid. He recalls that his father spent $30 on it, an unimaginable sum in the 1930s. Dad stopped riding it when he went to North High School in Minneapolis, because that was something that young kids did. Times have changed. I haven't stopped biking since the 1960s, except for three years in the 1980s when I taught at a Nigerian university. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4wsg_vm2k7r3BYLfkWL_n_7GsQIVSCdmbQwMl0AIkkf1Cm0ljT6MEqNMt_QNb8ZsbNdFGk3-BV_WjxICe-LpXqPExABp9-2E1qB4NDDdu1mOBi-kPsNW53cXjay0et50UJAQRDkI/s1600/FullSizeRender-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4wsg_vm2k7r3BYLfkWL_n_7GsQIVSCdmbQwMl0AIkkf1Cm0ljT6MEqNMt_QNb8ZsbNdFGk3-BV_WjxICe-LpXqPExABp9-2E1qB4NDDdu1mOBi-kPsNW53cXjay0et50UJAQRDkI/s640/FullSizeRender-5.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A late 1930s photo shows my Mom on her bike in north Minneapolis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
When I was about 12 years old, Dad bought me a nice one-speed bike from Wheel Goods in Minneapolis, a store that has since closed. I bought a second hand Peugot UO8 ten-speed a few years later. It got stolen from a house I rented in Minneapolis. I then bought a Motobecane Grand Record from Freewheel Bike in Minneapolis. The day after arriving in Excelsior I returned to Freewheel to make sure my bike was in safe riding condition. It's nice to see that Freewheel is still chugging along. The day I brought in the bike, it rained all day long and it had rained the night before, spoiling my only two opportunities to play pickle ball. Oh well. It was a good time to be resting and not biking. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXubAYRtdj-KmNyJO7gSslglTI20r30ur1MoBW2hW4EHd5WadkXJ-AMdjvRmje2gSzfzMrhp-jMC8fbXNYI9bqTdz_YynVbimLaz6PsfhKwz_GsqDVUm9GNZlunNtfqmun_qRWiE_F/s1600/FullSizeRender-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXubAYRtdj-KmNyJO7gSslglTI20r30ur1MoBW2hW4EHd5WadkXJ-AMdjvRmje2gSzfzMrhp-jMC8fbXNYI9bqTdz_YynVbimLaz6PsfhKwz_GsqDVUm9GNZlunNtfqmun_qRWiE_F/s640/FullSizeRender-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Freewheel Bike in Minneapolis, during rainfall. It was my favorite bike store during my undergraduate and graduate college years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-17150610084558690532015-08-19T13:59:00.000-04:002016-04-18T18:42:52.420-04:00Day 22, August 16: monocultural landscapesAppleton, MN to Litchfield, MN <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150816-0704">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150816-0704</a><br />
Distance: 80.1 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 1499.9 miles<br />
Average speed: 14.9 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 27.0 mph<br />
Riding time: 5:24<br />
Weather: 70° when I started at 7am, and thanks to persistent cloud cover the temperatures did not get out of the 70s for the rest of the day. The dew point was in the middle 60s during the day, but in the evening it was 54° after a cold front came through. There was no wind for the first 30 miles, but then WNW tailwinds kicked in at varying speeds--usually about 5 mph, but sometimes reached 12 mph or higher. The forecast showed rain coming in the afternoon.<br />
Terrain: uphill 1561 feet, downhill 1436 feet. This ride stayed within a narrow band of elevation – from a low of 1000 feet to a high of 1300 feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuXhEMQlSv6boJLyuJ1sjyUQKnMeDi2pFs5JcMsGgb07qItxcmsFGQ5otXsvSILavuzYVBPi2r9wY4gAg4uDnRwHpVvzAy_1L45pKcJ5EhP56iZTm291HBN5jZQBLrZVzLS5SegTJ/s640/blogger-image--429705248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuXhEMQlSv6boJLyuJ1sjyUQKnMeDi2pFs5JcMsGgb07qItxcmsFGQ5otXsvSILavuzYVBPi2r9wY4gAg4uDnRwHpVvzAy_1L45pKcJ5EhP56iZTm291HBN5jZQBLrZVzLS5SegTJ/s400/blogger-image--429705248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This route went east from Appleton, MN to Litchfield, MN across moraines and outwash plains. Moraines <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">are accumulations of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier. Outwash </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">plains consist of sediment </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">deposited by streams flowing away from a melting glacier. I </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">superimposed the route on a section of Erwin Raisz's <a href="http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~231095~5508485:United-States----Physical-Landforms">Landform Map of the United States</a>, a minutely detailed, hand drawn pen and ink map. The "W" on the route stands for Willmar, the largest city in the area. This map clearly shows the moraines and plains as well as the flatness of most of my route.</span></div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63NWvlLpgNAqHUMzmhOt8g4Zs5xD6O7_aDNCHRUwjnvw8GMWSFYqei8GXzeQ-c8QuNd05xTLRC_bypzoDrgamFsQK6M5hPkIuJOabcabA-uVXzq6CUP94UYNDQ22qmXlxzbH946rw/s1600/Copy+of+Raisz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63NWvlLpgNAqHUMzmhOt8g4Zs5xD6O7_aDNCHRUwjnvw8GMWSFYqei8GXzeQ-c8QuNd05xTLRC_bypzoDrgamFsQK6M5hPkIuJOabcabA-uVXzq6CUP94UYNDQ22qmXlxzbH946rw/s640/Copy+of+Raisz.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The route from Appleton to Litchfield superimposed on a section of an Erwin Raisz landform map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Monocultural landscapes dominated the route. By monocultural landscapes I mean landscapes dominated by the practice of growing a single crop in a large field. Corn and soybeans are the two most widely planted crops in the US (see US Environmental Protection Agency <a href="http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/ag101/cropmajor.html" target="_blank">table</a> below).<br />
<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 94%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="left"><th colspan="3">Major agricultural crops produced in the United States
in 2011 (excluding root crops, citrus, vegetable, etc). </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th width="15%">Crop</th>
<th width="30%">Harvested Area <br />
(million acres<a href="http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/ag101/cropglossary.html#acre"></a>)</th>
<th width="55%">Cash Receipts from Sales <br />
($ billion)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Corn (grain)</td>
<td><div align="center">
84</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
63.9</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Soybeans</td>
<td><div align="center">
73.8</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
37.6</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hay</td>
<td><div align="center">
55.7</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
6.7</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wheat</td>
<td><div align="center">
45.7</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
14.6</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cotton</td>
<td><div align="center">
9.5</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
8.3</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sorghum (grain)</td>
<td><div align="center">
3.9</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
1.3</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rice</td>
<td><div align="center">
2.6</div>
</td>
<td><div align="center">
2.9</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5ubeRvOkLdC26ie1MtIolm7wPkfvKwvAsdslK5k8KhaY3et-f65NPFMfGNEHk8qPoQr6yBkvdmVv4RBBFpw09k7PDPzOGzb4txKAW6HT7pdN0FkKo3HHARQrMdf7FvaZJTkEXng1/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5ubeRvOkLdC26ie1MtIolm7wPkfvKwvAsdslK5k8KhaY3et-f65NPFMfGNEHk8qPoQr6yBkvdmVv4RBBFpw09k7PDPzOGzb4txKAW6HT7pdN0FkKo3HHARQrMdf7FvaZJTkEXng1/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Large corn and soybean fields, east of Appleton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Forty percent of the corn grown in the US is used for ethanol production.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmokfw70ZyWDShUN8JwOAN9lvyvnvVJ6-26zs3RxqkuSm5aMW20sQUp0zci8YjMjHFSy2ryVkiwBK-F7xQQnTE9C3F0uRGi7zWp2XOyhhrPlSFrU5j4q7lDi9NWd_KhyphenhyphenmaVBLauy5/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmokfw70ZyWDShUN8JwOAN9lvyvnvVJ6-26zs3RxqkuSm5aMW20sQUp0zci8YjMjHFSy2ryVkiwBK-F7xQQnTE9C3F0uRGi7zWp2XOyhhrPlSFrU5j4q7lDi9NWd_KhyphenhyphenmaVBLauy5/s640/IMG_3534.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Bushmills Ethanol Plant on US 12, Atwater, MN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I saw several <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_Animal_Feeding_Operation" target="_blank">CAFOs </a>(concentrated animal feeding operations) for chickens.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u6byTMPr-YAou8wkmLHmpu_vOkRxi0c0ZpdXRgg1wxptxEzRBCCMH2Hc8lfaUdlDskb82E00mYxaiNOO4xCWxFIHG44d99i1uZ6mSgUENw8MvmFKPfJfMU274oUYNDkjNSdFtSPv/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u6byTMPr-YAou8wkmLHmpu_vOkRxi0c0ZpdXRgg1wxptxEzRBCCMH2Hc8lfaUdlDskb82E00mYxaiNOO4xCWxFIHG44d99i1uZ6mSgUENw8MvmFKPfJfMU274oUYNDkjNSdFtSPv/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Chicken CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) in St Johns Township, Kandiyohi County.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXtogQHeDuHlJGwm_Iv6TuSMRZrz6JKLqQxhUkKhs3oxzc3XcbrMKsQEhC4Q7cevPkcaYIap9nt1CwP4QCUB9H005-w85_qjGHcrlYdSwB-Ziw3KBVpieuup51E9jGdRtEye1CUzK/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXtogQHeDuHlJGwm_Iv6TuSMRZrz6JKLqQxhUkKhs3oxzc3XcbrMKsQEhC4Q7cevPkcaYIap9nt1CwP4QCUB9H005-w85_qjGHcrlYdSwB-Ziw3KBVpieuup51E9jGdRtEye1CUzK/s640/IMG_3536.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Chicken CAFO near Grove City, MN.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Agricultural land uses decreased a little as the day went on as lake-based activities increased. I began in Swift County, and then I entered Kandiyohi County, whose tagline is "where the lakes begin." This transition is easily seen in a Google Maps terrain view screen capture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW4YDCbgTaI18CC3yP8XhCdX6FTbsB0AlLLV40QME0jPQyXxqF4j7pcSITwL6zwYB8XQykx5Mh31qfCFk1DlWb2nZb3WEpyzlHJk-GAWbY1cwAH1C0K9sYencRb0Ar4K48oVhQH6M/s1600/Kandi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW4YDCbgTaI18CC3yP8XhCdX6FTbsB0AlLLV40QME0jPQyXxqF4j7pcSITwL6zwYB8XQykx5Mh31qfCFk1DlWb2nZb3WEpyzlHJk-GAWbY1cwAH1C0K9sYencRb0Ar4K48oVhQH6M/s640/Kandi.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">A Google Maps terrain view screen capture that shows Kandiyohi County in red. The first part of my route from Appleton toward Kandiyohi County crosses an outwash plain while the moraine area in the County has plenty of lakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I approached Kandiyohi County I was happy to have some modest tailwinds after several days of cross and headwinds. The air had been very muggy for the last few days and a cold front was forecast to move in. This is a recipe for heavy rain. I left at 7 in the morning to get ahead of it. At lunch I looked at my Weather Undeground phone app and was a little unsettled to see a nasty rain cell to the west coming my way (see phone screen capture).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUd8ztmaZfZaNXCjsEk43sjyk5rNlQ5_j2Fs71JRdsSMwbEqWWqskmhyhN2CWkSqUFBooxr0njtjGacn57rLznvzBot9SFzp0Wd3CWXHhDoSuwVEY535ZJ_aamcGAdVlxdFLwcd-pt/s1600/IMG_3569.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUd8ztmaZfZaNXCjsEk43sjyk5rNlQ5_j2Fs71JRdsSMwbEqWWqskmhyhN2CWkSqUFBooxr0njtjGacn57rLznvzBot9SFzp0Wd3CWXHhDoSuwVEY535ZJ_aamcGAdVlxdFLwcd-pt/s400/IMG_3569.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The blue circle in the upper right locates my phone in Willmar. An animation on my phone app showed heavy rain bearing down on me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I started cycling I picked up the pace. Storms pose a lightning threat and it is no fun to be peddling while soaking wet and seeing poorly through wet sunglasses. I then came across a
"road closed" sign. I hoped I could get through and that bridge work or something would not mean a detour. I headed down the closed road and saw that US 12 was being repaved. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFtERPFGx8xPA3DJv63aWhgen9vryL2MQFsitpd4FCFLB1Y4OoXzT64bZHr4PWp0xIO64jnRM6lfv5gTwdvIuU_AEfd4Gc4rCB1E6m0qHUCWD0ighpPx_zve9Q5usFbLB7Frd1wLo/s640/IMG_3535.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">A dreaded road closed sign, but It turned out to be closed for cars and not for bicycles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After riding a bit on a velvet smooth road with no traffic I was surprised to come across a cyclist on a fully loaded
touring bike--a Surly Long Haul Trucker with waterproof panniers in
front and back as well as fenders. Ken Johnson had retired from Surly Bikes, which is headquartered in
Bloomington, a Minneapolis suburb. He was the first bike tourer I had
seen since Missoula, MT. We exchanged notes and I was interested to
learn about his Cruise bike seat. Bike seats can be a major source of
discomfort--a literal pain in the ass. My Brooks leather saddle is a
technology dating to late 19th century England, and it is the best saddle I
have had, but I still get sore toward the end of a ride on some days. Ken had switched from Brooks to Cruise and found a big
improvement. I may have to try one some day.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrK8TXg7tNuxMe1Zgem-iJUFM4g_AtP-6pGthTjMaNTFw5dtPp0CHdeehD_beYu7P-CKWOCp5i9ZbjNpFfUVMpMdNYKybjZa6YMBNjkNjkGxeG6czlHsuCz39OoGc7UsCutEuTIWb/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrK8TXg7tNuxMe1Zgem-iJUFM4g_AtP-6pGthTjMaNTFw5dtPp0CHdeehD_beYu7P-CKWOCp5i9ZbjNpFfUVMpMdNYKybjZa6YMBNjkNjkGxeG6czlHsuCz39OoGc7UsCutEuTIWb/s320/IMG_3537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Cruise saddle. It has an unconventional design but looks comfortable for touring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ken informed me that the road was under construction all the way to Litchfield. I would have the smooth road all to myself.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx2FYa1F2Bpfv8c0sUKwkHzGQPLgSmnAoH-ZQs9o7nERMbjhU-N5J8VDkg8wSt7n7DntXIqq6ok_6A6jFjN_FYu4D4GLeYAaId72VRY6gpSBRjVgX5Rs2-KtV128shh4tAaV9KU6V/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx2FYa1F2Bpfv8c0sUKwkHzGQPLgSmnAoH-ZQs9o7nERMbjhU-N5J8VDkg8wSt7n7DntXIqq6ok_6A6jFjN_FYu4D4GLeYAaId72VRY6gpSBRjVgX5Rs2-KtV128shh4tAaV9KU6V/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Cyclist's dream: brand new smooth road, no traffic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As I arrived on the outskirts of Litchfield I started to feel some raindrops, but the sky did not look especially threatening. I passed by a farm implements dealer and then Bikes by Bob. Bob has a fence of old bikes at his bike shop. I did get a little wet during the final two miles from a light rain, but not enough to be a problem. My good luck streak continued.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq5HclYuCI31KkRKDw1l2O6QNeGEFtHj4Wb700q6kd6F-EETdqo4PVv-3oh6TElxHKET-DoDKE3JmP8zEbcIJAHUZ7bYIkg1y5MtRQIa4YGanyLERVcNqN9FA0InPeq_F4Qnfmvsl/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq5HclYuCI31KkRKDw1l2O6QNeGEFtHj4Wb700q6kd6F-EETdqo4PVv-3oh6TElxHKET-DoDKE3JmP8zEbcIJAHUZ7bYIkg1y5MtRQIa4YGanyLERVcNqN9FA0InPeq_F4Qnfmvsl/s640/IMG_3542.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">A large assortment of farm implements. The road is damp with rain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY0S76kKZS-2N3a3gOeQfvucvzOcE_t2YeyaMbMlFQo5w2Ap0tVDWrXVFsRkOVduKezDbbn-TSFHiXU3qZDPGEbmu41pvKmbsuhUfPU8M8jgu5uM50uAKVpH1UAokD91c0zOQQbJW/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY0S76kKZS-2N3a3gOeQfvucvzOcE_t2YeyaMbMlFQo5w2Ap0tVDWrXVFsRkOVduKezDbbn-TSFHiXU3qZDPGEbmu41pvKmbsuhUfPU8M8jgu5uM50uAKVpH1UAokD91c0zOQQbJW/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Recycled bicycles at a shop named Bikes by Bob make a nice fence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-33431896983630121322015-08-15T23:44:00.001-04:002015-10-22T18:19:05.287-04:00Day 21, August 15: sideways<div>
Waubay. SD to Appleton, MN <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150815-0830" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150815-0830</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Distance: 78.2 miles</span></div>
<div>
Total trip distance: 1366 miles</div>
<div>
Average speed: 12.0 mph</div>
<div>
Maximum speed: 23.7</div>
<div>
Riding time: 6:30</div>
<div>
Weather: it didn't cool down much at night because of all the moisture in the air. The dew point was in the high 60s throughout the day. The temperature at my 8:30 AM start was 70°; it rose to 79° by 10 AM; and then hit the low 90s for much of the afternoon. I had strong south crosswinds all day during my eastward route. The winds were at about 8 to 10 mph in the morning and for the rest of the day they blew at 13 or 14 mph with gusts to 17 or 18 mph.</div>
<div>
Terrain: uphill 1381 feet, downhill 2123. The day began on the Coteau des Prairies and then came a long descent although most of it was too gradual to notice. Then the landscape alternated between very flat and gently rolling terrain with a local relief of about 50 feet, i.e. the difference between the highest and lowest points was only 50 feet at most.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bP4GSyrtI9yEJJ2Zg1VMPTdLMW_OScjsuKkWvYZihd7-NA74RAsWREqCGhLBdXlvFn553hghEjRDlwWMGeuamQQvzvwSVCNr68SIArHe_fhgjL2e-2LzX6QUtUGInuRQLUwURsyo/s640/blogger-image-1177385415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bP4GSyrtI9yEJJ2Zg1VMPTdLMW_OScjsuKkWvYZihd7-NA74RAsWREqCGhLBdXlvFn553hghEjRDlwWMGeuamQQvzvwSVCNr68SIArHe_fhgjL2e-2LzX6QUtUGInuRQLUwURsyo/s640/blogger-image-1177385415.jpg" /></a></div>
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I followed US 12 about 40 miles to Milbank, SD; took county roads across the South Dakota/Minnesota border, and finished on MN 7 to Appleton. The whole day was windy, particularly the South Dakota portion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZKgOfpOlQw6vUKqqKd5-wkUV-z_s1WP0YvYdDp-OVgcf3DhPGjMVywFRNcun6KeeLpIv4PDIaXhlq397gDepXk33h0kYQTt_x_aZ3N_WyfTmACqt7e0axWk7PMJIkuG8TWH2a3II/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-07+at+9.48.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZKgOfpOlQw6vUKqqKd5-wkUV-z_s1WP0YvYdDp-OVgcf3DhPGjMVywFRNcun6KeeLpIv4PDIaXhlq397gDepXk33h0kYQTt_x_aZ3N_WyfTmACqt7e0axWk7PMJIkuG8TWH2a3II/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-10-07+at+9.48.35+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3KsWS3UyS5ynWAW_aNQrisLoo5taSJJ4jNuT3K-klfZdRWRS8E73Cn4d7X8eNsh8lxOz_H5XXE80Aqkv-W4-HtzUSoAUqICZydteWMUlGAGNEO04nQ-Q7Tf9PvGIhtdNwLilY0Ce/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3KsWS3UyS5ynWAW_aNQrisLoo5taSJJ4jNuT3K-klfZdRWRS8E73Cn4d7X8eNsh8lxOz_H5XXE80Aqkv-W4-HtzUSoAUqICZydteWMUlGAGNEO04nQ-Q7Tf9PvGIhtdNwLilY0Ce/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Since 1979, the State of South Dakota has erected "Think" signs like these two on US 12 at the sites of traffic fatalities.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkmJt2_Uckyk4CM1fh_go22MqsxblTEXh0QqdB6wCZD6v5WaA521j1sfwTehmGtBCYEq6vcGaCeJR3wF4pIWXEQrmasi-HSnkG8q0CivvV-9TCeEVqjkOBRbQUFmbhAA-xghH7o3Z/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkmJt2_Uckyk4CM1fh_go22MqsxblTEXh0QqdB6wCZD6v5WaA521j1sfwTehmGtBCYEq6vcGaCeJR3wF4pIWXEQrmasi-HSnkG8q0CivvV-9TCeEVqjkOBRbQUFmbhAA-xghH7o3Z/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The stiff breeze by 10am caused this flag to flap audibly in the wind.
As I rode eastward, I had to lean right a little bit to compensate for
wind gusts from the south.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aQXooc6yNtbELNP905uftXWsYHDMsIDrWcZVdc8n6_qliStSBFP8DJfjd8eZbYO1fuZ14fzhnK9dy6Wi9HZ0dry3SSfbGXRblT3ftPH3272PdhPdKELJy1745iBKOc3i4wqUFTdQ/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aQXooc6yNtbELNP905uftXWsYHDMsIDrWcZVdc8n6_qliStSBFP8DJfjd8eZbYO1fuZ14fzhnK9dy6Wi9HZ0dry3SSfbGXRblT3ftPH3272PdhPdKELJy1745iBKOc3i4wqUFTdQ/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">This sign warns about the upcoming descent off the Coteau des Prairies. The sharp transition where the Coteau meets the flatland can be seen on the Waubay - Appleton route map above, just east of I 29.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XjUdFul-2uS7iL82lB3piuIhgrG8WlZZdHpGL05OK40I6IYVZujck9fsuJYbfHArGMSppVRPYKtSuXqrjsEg2J628la65a-jd_Hw6zOuiFNY1LMvFPRuwnV4Usj4WjLXUu8QOWVc/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XjUdFul-2uS7iL82lB3piuIhgrG8WlZZdHpGL05OK40I6IYVZujck9fsuJYbfHArGMSppVRPYKtSuXqrjsEg2J628la65a-jd_Hw6zOuiFNY1LMvFPRuwnV4Usj4WjLXUu8QOWVc/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The view from the Coteau toward the flat lands in the distance. In the foreground is a large soybean field. The photo was taken<br />
from US 12 just east of Marvin, SD. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The descent off the Coteau on US 12 was long and smooth, the kind of hill I really enjoy gliding down. But this time, I had to squeeze my brakes for part of the way, because
I did not want to end up sideways, i.e., blown over by a gust of wind.
The faster you go, the easier it is to be blown off your bike. I regretted wasting a good hill, but as a person of extreme moderation, safety comes first.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-H4dljufgal0HT0ghzSt3y_-7yVAPmivMuGyrmx9VlRJZ0pcHs4UwE9ga8H7ZPhYBmIM1UPKb-3RhAAKw1rpl8jOzd9occPQoTLGnNGzh9IldUm3yxErbxtLMZNJJK8_jciq-39w/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-H4dljufgal0HT0ghzSt3y_-7yVAPmivMuGyrmx9VlRJZ0pcHs4UwE9ga8H7ZPhYBmIM1UPKb-3RhAAKw1rpl8jOzd9occPQoTLGnNGzh9IldUm3yxErbxtLMZNJJK8_jciq-39w/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">You can see a sort of purple haze as you gaze across this field of clover.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Purple clover close-up.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">A restored wind mill in Milbank, SD. <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.5;">A stone driven by the wind mill was used to grind wheat into flour.</span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Granite is quarried in eastern South Dakota and several parts of Minnesota. Past this soybean field is waste rock from the Dakota Granite company's quarry.<u><br /></u></td></tr>
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It took four days of cycling to cross South Dakota, although I did not cross the entire state. In Minnesota, my route took me through glacial landscapes--outwash plains and moraine. The latter are accumulations of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier. </div>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The Big Stone refuge preserves a section of tall-grass prairie.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The Minnesota River originates near here in Big Stone Lake. The name Big Stone is a translation of a Sioux name for the outcrops of granite and gneiss found in the Minnesota River Valley. </td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">This really large stone was deposited here by a glacier, maybe about 10,000 years ago. It may have been carried here from hundreds of miles away.</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">The last part of my route, on MN 7, turned more or less directly into strong headwinds. I averaged a slow and tough nine mph along this stretch.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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Appleton has an interesting community art project. Residents created hundreds of tiles of some aspect of Appleton, and these tiles then decorated benches in the park along a Memory Trail. The first photo shows one of the benches, and the second shows detail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2Y9RWt4T9MpJ-Nmm_vVAWx-rklSM45G_G8sULx0F7cYnNB4otEozFb5-YaicKkoyv0xm5vy0drzVRnWqPkxco-qY20Z-cWBlwi9KXlLpEWvDSLMevgGq8ptnrJJRnekALo8zznXO/s1600/FullSizeRender%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2Y9RWt4T9MpJ-Nmm_vVAWx-rklSM45G_G8sULx0F7cYnNB4otEozFb5-YaicKkoyv0xm5vy0drzVRnWqPkxco-qY20Z-cWBlwi9KXlLpEWvDSLMevgGq8ptnrJJRnekALo8zznXO/s400/FullSizeRender%252810%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">One of the benches in Appleton's Memory Trail</td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Detail from a bench on Appleton's Memory Trail.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-28818687516261273202015-08-14T20:59:00.001-04:002016-04-18T15:46:01.459-04:00Day 20, August 14: prairie potholes<div>
Aberdeen, SD to Waubay, SD <a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150814-1101" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150814-1101</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Distance: 61.5 miles </span></div>
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Total trip distance: 1281.8 miles</div>
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Average speed: 12.9 mph</div>
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Maximum speed: 19.3 mph</div>
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Riding time: 4:44</div>
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Weather: 82° at my start time of 11:00; temperatures rose to the low 90s in the mid to late afternoon. The dew point varied from the low to mid 70s-very muggy. The crosswinds were gentle, about 2 mph, mostly SSW and sometimes SSE.</div>
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Terrain: uphill 1171 feet, downhill 644 feet. The profile shows the first 20 miles to be pretty flat (the horizontally compressed route profile makes it look hillier than it is) followed by a 20-mile climb up the Coteau des Prairies although the vertical for that 20 miles was only 500 feet so it was a very gradual climb. The Coteau des Prairies has lots of lakes that my college friend Mike Mueller informed me are prairie potholes. The Wikipedia article on the Prairie Pothole Region notes that potholes "are the result of glacier activity in the Wisconsin glaciation, which ended about 10,000 years ago. The decaying ice sheet left behind depressions formed by the uneven deposition of till in ground moraines. These depressions are called potholes, glacial potholes, kettles, or kettle lakes." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJdCEUDT-XQAh8Zv7SctUxcMyDAD_phJuzoqPjNGhzJVJRu94bSo7JZD8O0g4E_FC9KonMmIte6MOu3ZYUHYd_uwLyC-cqRGTtz6wCZngVeUpFNC5PqgXr9UhiwE5vWjbeLqYt0jy/s640/blogger-image--1466853467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJdCEUDT-XQAh8Zv7SctUxcMyDAD_phJuzoqPjNGhzJVJRu94bSo7JZD8O0g4E_FC9KonMmIte6MOu3ZYUHYd_uwLyC-cqRGTtz6wCZngVeUpFNC5PqgXr9UhiwE5vWjbeLqYt0jy/s640/blogger-image--1466853467.jpg" /></a></div>
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US 12 all the way, once again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_1CPzTAnHGxcWEPXYpD1ILpob8-njOfJlfMWhzU_aFrVz0vR_11RdJnm24cZPHY8R0DdoayCIatlw2NwnnSXyMCJHqNhNi8KuBZkBg_B4Rgu9tx2rdJHTDkhqdhbPiIAg72xcZbY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-12+at+3.54.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_1CPzTAnHGxcWEPXYpD1ILpob8-njOfJlfMWhzU_aFrVz0vR_11RdJnm24cZPHY8R0DdoayCIatlw2NwnnSXyMCJHqNhNi8KuBZkBg_B4Rgu9tx2rdJHTDkhqdhbPiIAg72xcZbY/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-12+at+3.54.09+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I left Aberdeen on US 12 on an endless suburban strip that could have been Anytown, USA except for some of the regionally based business names, e.g., Dacotah Bank, and for a large number of agricultural equipment dealers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bTD0g7dLuyyAX-4m6Ogvyq5fQeduSlW-1nj8VP3YKi-zHBbJ3RM5Ylk98WQFY60EZGU00VNyCUg9ZhgUXyDfbja7LbNoQrmnWlf8ar40PjwY8vKL4m3Y0yd_HuO6Wz9c2ZSiQqKw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bTD0g7dLuyyAX-4m6Ogvyq5fQeduSlW-1nj8VP3YKi-zHBbJ3RM5Ylk98WQFY60EZGU00VNyCUg9ZhgUXyDfbja7LbNoQrmnWlf8ar40PjwY8vKL4m3Y0yd_HuO6Wz9c2ZSiQqKw/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">John Deere dealership outside Aberdeen featuring really large tractors.</td></tr>
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As I mentioned in my last post, Aberdeen is in the flat James River Valley.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Soybean fields forever. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The James River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Grain terminal in the James River Valley. It's near US 12 and the BNSF Railroad. There is some new construction going on toward the front.</td></tr>
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The previous three photos showed very flat landscapes. After about 20 miles I began ascending the Coteau des Prairies. The Coteau has many lakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwJ2l_nRcKjz5T-cZRfaq-807sSDZRfWL-TWTAY6guXPGMb90WB7pdtLMRSSEncCncAzcwS9z9eSIH4JVg33Whvf7BkohF2IQoitu1ECEh_YEW8GM2CRI3FYM1O8ZrgmisVzQivtE/s1600/coteau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwJ2l_nRcKjz5T-cZRfaq-807sSDZRfWL-TWTAY6guXPGMb90WB7pdtLMRSSEncCncAzcwS9z9eSIH4JVg33Whvf7BkohF2IQoitu1ECEh_YEW8GM2CRI3FYM1O8ZrgmisVzQivtE/s1600/coteau.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Here is uneven terrain and some large rocks that you see as you ascend the plateau.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2F1aIBIJdTrX4OccaRV6kWoMbTqpEvSt_y1ifMQ-FAJaY8mdnxBZwB7rYjnOMPgVGTzmlnaktiLq5OQg05Q53scHsmBuDYNdApxnAqnS4yRMc_aD-c4eSyfbnF7m-LrONqcY90wj/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2F1aIBIJdTrX4OccaRV6kWoMbTqpEvSt_y1ifMQ-FAJaY8mdnxBZwB7rYjnOMPgVGTzmlnaktiLq5OQg05Q53scHsmBuDYNdApxnAqnS4yRMc_aD-c4eSyfbnF7m-LrONqcY90wj/s640/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">It looks like this road has been closed for a long time. The rising water levels that have narrowed the former road are typical throughout this region. Farmer have lost much productive land while recreational uses such as fishing and boating have increased.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVY0Z1m7a_I1Q6XIv_2EkT3Szo9Q8HJJrz1ERaAIYyicsga0e7LupzMy8Rzjp1R2gOEmKrIkiqWCOWlvh6Cita-u0i5jwGkja5w24xArk5o0qh7DiabAFM6vpq1P8nzT_dS7M5OJ-/s1600/potholes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVY0Z1m7a_I1Q6XIv_2EkT3Szo9Q8HJJrz1ERaAIYyicsga0e7LupzMy8Rzjp1R2gOEmKrIkiqWCOWlvh6Cita-u0i5jwGkja5w24xArk5o0qh7DiabAFM6vpq1P8nzT_dS7M5OJ-/s640/potholes.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This Google Maps terrain view screen capture shows many small and large lakes. A large percentage of the small ones have appeared in the last several decades because of an increasing precipitation trend.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jsZfkwxezQXNlbjE1A8eFDv_8__tg-ysBFR-ehuBeEqrMCRwXlIdACm7nw_mSF2fijEk8W0Q02MfYn4mNkf-cCthPSabm2WiBi9B3ATdiwIVuexykuhYvFUwrTNPuhMYIzcLo19f/s1600/us_precip.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jsZfkwxezQXNlbjE1A8eFDv_8__tg-ysBFR-ehuBeEqrMCRwXlIdACm7nw_mSF2fijEk8W0Q02MfYn4mNkf-cCthPSabm2WiBi9B3ATdiwIVuexykuhYvFUwrTNPuhMYIzcLo19f/s640/us_precip.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This map shows average annual precipitation, although it doesn't show change over time. The Coteau des Prairies is in the 20-25 inch band of precipitation, so I guess you don't need a whole lot of precipitation to have a bunch of lakes. The map also shows the great diversity of precipitation regimes I have passed through since I started in eastern Washington.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII0G6ZeqALoyjGnDj6cRZQxB2j6EYEzx0JfurEO5iFr0S0QGdXRTNtT0fm-Clg25Epfk2CmjKntpv201dVSRkJO6vxQSOUltj4ag2vUZ8FepCItlPlqDyP1qwVJzQgi7QDBE2qLx0/s1600/Capture2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII0G6ZeqALoyjGnDj6cRZQxB2j6EYEzx0JfurEO5iFr0S0QGdXRTNtT0fm-Clg25Epfk2CmjKntpv201dVSRkJO6vxQSOUltj4ag2vUZ8FepCItlPlqDyP1qwVJzQgi7QDBE2qLx0/s400/Capture2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This map of prairies corresponds fairly closely to the precipitation map above. On today's trip I passed from the mid-grass prairie to the tall grass prairie. You can only see the prairies in a few remnant patches here and there in protected areas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OIaukLmSXqmMgxRoybIndiwqzb5GbN4Oke-IVmVJEMIKbdZzEkiKbXFCjy7JrKwR3qDbP_iq3SXkVtQw7S6aSA5NP3K_zwzByNlyYIgV1pfb_q2PaDvq8jZsRGYlk-70H_6XQRq9/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OIaukLmSXqmMgxRoybIndiwqzb5GbN4Oke-IVmVJEMIKbdZzEkiKbXFCjy7JrKwR3qDbP_iq3SXkVtQw7S6aSA5NP3K_zwzByNlyYIgV1pfb_q2PaDvq8jZsRGYlk-70H_6XQRq9/s640/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria in a prairie pothole. I smelled it before I saw it. Potholes are more prone to blue-green algae than other water bodies, I think, because the water is stagnant. Potholes are not connected to surface streams and depend mostly on spring snowmelt for their water.</td></tr>
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Near Webster, SD, I saw an advertising sign that simply said Museum, 23 Buildings. When I came upon the museum, I checked my Roadside America app and saw that it has the world's largest hairball. Naturally I had to see the hairball. I must have looked a little ragged from biking in the very warm, muggy weather, because the two women in the front office immediately offered me a bottle of cold water, which I gratefully accepted.<br />
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The official title of the museum is "Museum: Bringing the past into the present." It used to be called the Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry, but the scope of the collection has widened since its opening in 1986, thereby necessitating a name change.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKQPx_tTpYpo3Y1Dpcsgpyo0jTCZMSBtCM6Q_NROt5k6YKqLG0p5ZFepAYCyQNPDu30YOZLPEnRmKM_Qvba8284ksVN7jiL5ODdQL_IPIPuxeqjyiwF7fIk7ephBJmsdUimEIr-Br/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKQPx_tTpYpo3Y1Dpcsgpyo0jTCZMSBtCM6Q_NROt5k6YKqLG0p5ZFepAYCyQNPDu30YOZLPEnRmKM_Qvba8284ksVN7jiL5ODdQL_IPIPuxeqjyiwF7fIk7ephBJmsdUimEIr-Br/s640/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">World's largest hairball (?) on public display at Museum in Webster, SD. There is some controversy about the largest hairball--a county historical museum in Kansas may have a larger one. Both hairballs came from a cow's stomach.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI-4CuzKmd8ooHF56M7W4H5jILpIVt6jvZEK_no9o6bnVQKpDyPS9g004j6c9szf4s9cZjBvLLMB6PHA6rGanMTvy6WdXiWTu9P5pXWBIAaAeJdJ_IS8X-Pbo7acoCRIq_cBE1LPe/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI-4CuzKmd8ooHF56M7W4H5jILpIVt6jvZEK_no9o6bnVQKpDyPS9g004j6c9szf4s9cZjBvLLMB6PHA6rGanMTvy6WdXiWTu9P5pXWBIAaAeJdJ_IS8X-Pbo7acoCRIq_cBE1LPe/s640/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This hair perming contraption is similar to the one I showed in my Day 14, Baker, MT post. The other photo shows the device more clearly.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmIfh7Kk5QyFd1OM_A_UJuIIiIojgaMl_W9-s7_e_QBftO0dEfcQUfDktvYPn73oGM8fIFhYcF805jddU_hGjTMem0ejGan7IgUIyBAwWDp3_LtLaG2eBxVzqpZSQ7CyqFMb9ANYl/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmIfh7Kk5QyFd1OM_A_UJuIIiIojgaMl_W9-s7_e_QBftO0dEfcQUfDktvYPn73oGM8fIFhYcF805jddU_hGjTMem0ejGan7IgUIyBAwWDp3_LtLaG2eBxVzqpZSQ7CyqFMb9ANYl/s640/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">An iron lung at Museum.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSHfn8N-dPdMYHQBMWWgSd7rWTtXSLrON-jU1ADEbAAFIn-lARL-QBrG6aoM9UP4S92j4ZwoT8Y2nH9EIKEtIWxZk2MVGogs2RZcLBhbqMKtj0GFH4hyphenhyphencMk4aSm74eQM6gXj_gWIh/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSHfn8N-dPdMYHQBMWWgSd7rWTtXSLrON-jU1ADEbAAFIn-lARL-QBrG6aoM9UP4S92j4ZwoT8Y2nH9EIKEtIWxZk2MVGogs2RZcLBhbqMKtj0GFH4hyphenhyphencMk4aSm74eQM6gXj_gWIh/s640/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I obsessed some about bears in the Montana portion of my trip. Now I have finally seen one at the Museum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunj9zKUk3ydVjF2DF-CEPMCFxYgkZa8t3RsyTDx4e0s8DYkpKeY1sD7bQ5UpZgUSjP0wjPhd8BtZmQWjySliG41A7LR4QGOQZ7uEl5vFTU-fPNsKqu-TxJmYul6rrZTK60Fg15ia6/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunj9zKUk3ydVjF2DF-CEPMCFxYgkZa8t3RsyTDx4e0s8DYkpKeY1sD7bQ5UpZgUSjP0wjPhd8BtZmQWjySliG41A7LR4QGOQZ7uEl5vFTU-fPNsKqu-TxJmYul6rrZTK60Fg15ia6/s640/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The jail from nearby Grenville, SD is on display at the Museum.</td></tr>
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I continued on to my destination of Waubay, SD. Road conditions were mostly fine, with wide shoulders.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO535ZxbBXye56jBBqkODnkFX_3loM-WK_1ID0gzJeBCMdFY5dgEswThY5TWd-MO1e4P88Ek9jfMzI64y39TTGGmhV2Nz01vgdRpp7Z7T51B2vcxDVmshGqQ03Tgy93aUgYBI27mTj/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO535ZxbBXye56jBBqkODnkFX_3loM-WK_1ID0gzJeBCMdFY5dgEswThY5TWd-MO1e4P88Ek9jfMzI64y39TTGGmhV2Nz01vgdRpp7Z7T51B2vcxDVmshGqQ03Tgy93aUgYBI27mTj/s640/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I didn't exceed the speed limit. The building in back sells boat lifts.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c9tAH9q0V5G0ZNPv1iLEYdZxLVswD0YFx2Njw-hF4oH7sRZi735Jqa-vNLh3hbtMbEfji8FLhoJ9IuK9_vEphnjOGcQ6fMTavMdxAcGGrX9c_iSQXXiTADD6VMznbofOCDgoPGKm/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c9tAH9q0V5G0ZNPv1iLEYdZxLVswD0YFx2Njw-hF4oH7sRZi735Jqa-vNLh3hbtMbEfji8FLhoJ9IuK9_vEphnjOGcQ6fMTavMdxAcGGrX9c_iSQXXiTADD6VMznbofOCDgoPGKm/s640/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Rush Lake near Waubay is one of the largest in the Coteau region.</td></tr>
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Waubay started as a railroad town. It reached its peak population of 976 in 1920 and how has 576 people.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH_La2-6yHc9iDV6QO4Aa8n7J3rRto-B2Idxn3cfHoVROxjOQ8NIPtM2JFLUgaypUAhNCdMsVb7VS58LdUxnOf6XX8S8W72WVmexD_tipY7FOCIHPJa5AIogktyV6fNYKErAITb73/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH_La2-6yHc9iDV6QO4Aa8n7J3rRto-B2Idxn3cfHoVROxjOQ8NIPtM2JFLUgaypUAhNCdMsVb7VS58LdUxnOf6XX8S8W72WVmexD_tipY7FOCIHPJa5AIogktyV6fNYKErAITb73/s640/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Once handsome early 20th century building on Main Street, not far from the railroad. On the left, the senior center abuts the youth center.</td></tr>
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I stayed at the Circle Pines Motel. A sign on the wall of my room asked guest to not clean fish in their rooms. The motel has a special room for fish cleaning out back.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-12146836069795349562015-08-14T11:04:00.004-04:002015-09-10T15:11:38.204-04:00Days 18 and 19, August 12 and 13: two days off in Aberdeen, SD<div>
Greeting from Aberdeen!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0LYbGEWqESYG091mKSZHERBthbSIXw2QfL9jtUJ-gHyaOlmUkvT_KS8C554geauQNENH5tRPJCmK7hyphenhyphenQXLCmZi1w_0lQCoaCZW7l2r2kOaFWPI34QMN9Ai-Kysy9nldM-h_GztLd/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0LYbGEWqESYG091mKSZHERBthbSIXw2QfL9jtUJ-gHyaOlmUkvT_KS8C554geauQNENH5tRPJCmK7hyphenhyphenQXLCmZi1w_0lQCoaCZW7l2r2kOaFWPI34QMN9Ai-Kysy9nldM-h_GztLd/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Self portrait taken in front of fun house mirror at Wylie Park in Aberdeen, SD</td></tr>
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Distance: 15.5 miles, wandering around Aberdeen.<br />
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I spent a couple of days in Aberdeen recuperating, visiting the town, and catching up on the blog in the Alexander Mitchell Public Library. Aberdeen's population of 31,000 and a metro population of about 41,000 make it the third largest city in South Dakota. It was founded in 1882 as a hub of rail lines. It was named after the hometown of a Milwaukee Road official based in Minneapolis.</div>
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Aberdeen is the county seat of Brown County.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI1dfT_Wl038RL7M6zcbiSpGWGciDe_a72NRGHKmqjK1aAPP2YuaCSJhSiZDZPktfRaMAU-8zgrimGLJANQeiKQU-nIBQftiUsC_39ciTINKp3FP-B4K8_9othjN2GhB1svOy0VMs/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI1dfT_Wl038RL7M6zcbiSpGWGciDe_a72NRGHKmqjK1aAPP2YuaCSJhSiZDZPktfRaMAU-8zgrimGLJANQeiKQU-nIBQftiUsC_39ciTINKp3FP-B4K8_9othjN2GhB1svOy0VMs/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Brown County Courthouse.</td></tr>
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It has some impressive early 20th century architecture including the First United Methodist Church and the Capitol Theatre.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFX7_9Rb-uCN0z3pWADCg2g0w0ThYO5W4xKVoCzq4uAcA_M1EwXg3ZTWmk-bugEOr-o74inpj4F862E8XeN1QOHx92-Qa7C6T6vB9kIAhHE0WzMjQwZ2Zw9gcjpt_J_Vq_3xHDhFv/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFX7_9Rb-uCN0z3pWADCg2g0w0ThYO5W4xKVoCzq4uAcA_M1EwXg3ZTWmk-bugEOr-o74inpj4F862E8XeN1QOHx92-Qa7C6T6vB9kIAhHE0WzMjQwZ2Zw9gcjpt_J_Vq_3xHDhFv/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The First United Methodist Church is a few blocks down from the courthouse. The rotunda at the top of the church echoes the one on the courthouse. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">The Capitol Theatre is the home of Aberdeen Community Theatre.</td></tr>
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As in most other South Dakota towns I have passed through, there are many small casinos.</div>
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Screen capture of Google map of casinos in Aberdeen.</div>
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The two biggest popular attractions in Aberdeen are the Brown County Fair and Wylie Park. The latter includes Storybook Land and a zoo with regional animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-UHud3JHv2xSJREsI5pUKk-c5mD6HeWZdWcRQYZbeBo-QHxMt7r7_CTnYlmj7o9U4x9EcMIVyyPFPHZBPd9shnDvtk-iQt_w5qxOdQJsOfMoLNH7hmg8qQyVS_UWa3ibvf-xmblR/s1600/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-UHud3JHv2xSJREsI5pUKk-c5mD6HeWZdWcRQYZbeBo-QHxMt7r7_CTnYlmj7o9U4x9EcMIVyyPFPHZBPd9shnDvtk-iQt_w5qxOdQJsOfMoLNH7hmg8qQyVS_UWa3ibvf-xmblR/s640/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Fearsome looking farm vehicles at the Brown County Fair.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">More farm vehicles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBXqMOVKiAzfXGc1vUZ2Hnd7Gu-A8zqZcXyzIQ-T7Unxlpx_-CzZhfHoNvIm7QyxZydp9j2Vz9nZh4dMbBy64lNLxciEz5u0VjSjeys_RH7O1jLBsGfBTGdE_3bp1Pjc_lgX6hLKj/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBXqMOVKiAzfXGc1vUZ2Hnd7Gu-A8zqZcXyzIQ-T7Unxlpx_-CzZhfHoNvIm7QyxZydp9j2Vz9nZh4dMbBy64lNLxciEz5u0VjSjeys_RH7O1jLBsGfBTGdE_3bp1Pjc_lgX6hLKj/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Aberdonians and others flock along the Brown County Fair Midway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyWfMK5hxTG2UR3BEkDXIK1B6BMtAQvqNPj8htCYVL3H6WOzKzXXxgTliba7xksapBi_9WrlO_fpr71_2YI_1gSXlNe7Q9Zc6rZ8ZJxxqn-zKfEJgfsxE7Xl4M6JbYAKW80P6inVJ/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyWfMK5hxTG2UR3BEkDXIK1B6BMtAQvqNPj8htCYVL3H6WOzKzXXxgTliba7xksapBi_9WrlO_fpr71_2YI_1gSXlNe7Q9Zc6rZ8ZJxxqn-zKfEJgfsxE7Xl4M6JbYAKW80P6inVJ/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Brown County Fair crowd.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5wWU_kXLwKsSanWUczsaI_NZC23ep3ejgTRQX103KLJqxfjhxVJJ_tCu_jzFAzOAwMrsbqMBnydZL18Znmb142qdIAIH_5Pz0Q0niogVUM6R5FP7kV2G4sncXCuX3omXK8ih1kKY/s1600/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5wWU_kXLwKsSanWUczsaI_NZC23ep3ejgTRQX103KLJqxfjhxVJJ_tCu_jzFAzOAwMrsbqMBnydZL18Znmb142qdIAIH_5Pz0Q0niogVUM6R5FP7kV2G4sncXCuX3omXK8ih1kKY/s640/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Bison feeding at the trough in the Wylie Park Zoo of regional animals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWzjIf_BxiAhac6Lgdsli8P5HOxv1df2yGY7goBaBKCq8vOI7OE3Vt913oIYaCH0-_RhcEanTPIveIA20GMnookysPTIyE-v-ErIYjd8l2J8jZuYMHpXeMpG9KeoV4a1TpxIVLTVE/s1600/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWzjIf_BxiAhac6Lgdsli8P5HOxv1df2yGY7goBaBKCq8vOI7OE3Vt913oIYaCH0-_RhcEanTPIveIA20GMnookysPTIyE-v-ErIYjd8l2J8jZuYMHpXeMpG9KeoV4a1TpxIVLTVE/s640/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">An elk in repose. Impressive rack.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2UXA2aG-D8_snsb5nBecDXPbTPKcA9XlaXwps7pQNCku1V2ClJPsdP2IG2hRxPeOpAclxjeIu2uBE4egK3hO9uJhMCYlO0a-5-j4-pEofg2Aj-CVJMf1_WR21s9H1Ai87BhViR6I/s1600/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2UXA2aG-D8_snsb5nBecDXPbTPKcA9XlaXwps7pQNCku1V2ClJPsdP2IG2hRxPeOpAclxjeIu2uBE4egK3hO9uJhMCYlO0a-5-j4-pEofg2Aj-CVJMf1_WR21s9H1Ai87BhViR6I/s640/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Wylie Park includes Storybook Land. Inspired by nursery rhymes, this theme park features a miniature train, castle, and many statues, including the Wizard of Oz crew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPWGurx1hiVMN_BLEfO7Svf3oONhueBxb_r1l3TUUFPnSZxB2m1pycK-klLOp_OQafK4Tj5iVlk3nZX1Fb8lrV2jyeQaE7mey7fm5HE4wJmkRosEbBbli5lT0msZJAUyb-Btfghgy/s1600/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPWGurx1hiVMN_BLEfO7Svf3oONhueBxb_r1l3TUUFPnSZxB2m1pycK-klLOp_OQafK4Tj5iVlk3nZX1Fb8lrV2jyeQaE7mey7fm5HE4wJmkRosEbBbli5lT0msZJAUyb-Btfghgy/s640/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Ring-necked pheasants roost at Wylie Park. The ring-necked pheasant is the state bird. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-11053223333968948732015-08-14T10:20:00.000-04:002016-04-13T15:23:29.921-04:00Day 17, August 11: the 100th Meridian is just another bad memory(medium resolution pictures)<br />
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Mobridge, SD to Aberdeen, SD http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150811-0824<br />
Distance: 105.3 miles<br />
Total trip distance: 1,203.0 miles<br />
Average speed: 12.0 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 24.2 mph<br />
Riding time: 8:45<br />
Weather: it was 68° when I started at 8:20 AM and it rose to the mid-80s in the afternoon. A relentless ESE wind, more headwind than crosswind, and gusted to 12 or 13 mph in the afternoon.<br />
Terrain: uphill 1804 feet, downhill 2075 feet. The profile shows and ascent up out of the Missouri River Valley and then a long gradual descent into the James River Valley.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6XJiusl5x8_yxTWJpdrTRMGy9VyWlHN7fUt-t8BstzzgUqN-4K6Jy1UQbJFTDCTFB_Wc_ZPyGCqXALfPOJOJkXdrVBRpbSaCZs1gyy1lYr0cQJU0L7O-TLmFIWk0lQWJL8Ca0PkM/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6XJiusl5x8_yxTWJpdrTRMGy9VyWlHN7fUt-t8BstzzgUqN-4K6Jy1UQbJFTDCTFB_Wc_ZPyGCqXALfPOJOJkXdrVBRpbSaCZs1gyy1lYr0cQJU0L7O-TLmFIWk0lQWJL8Ca0PkM/s320/FullSizeRender+%252814%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another long day ahead, because the nearest motels in Aberdeen are miles away. Weather Underground showed cross and headwinds for the entire day. I didn't get started until 8:20 because I wanted extra rest after yesterday's long ride. Navigation is simple - US 12 the whole way. The route begins with a big climb out of the Missouri River valley. Then the route goes across the Coteau du Missouri, or Missouri Plateau, and ends in the really flat James River Valley.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdUnrwSfmNbMghPu3RLgXlq5aR0YcOV0Lxosgx0n6_qPMisWUkRLuRFP5fR3lClQG-RvCrZzZlNZEsZk1ZvfKgeDOtUUUd8yj20Zpv7iINFgqfBdgNhM5gVl1yIzy9mZRfzI49JsX/s1600/sd_topography_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdUnrwSfmNbMghPu3RLgXlq5aR0YcOV0Lxosgx0n6_qPMisWUkRLuRFP5fR3lClQG-RvCrZzZlNZEsZk1ZvfKgeDOtUUUd8yj20Zpv7iINFgqfBdgNhM5gVl1yIzy9mZRfzI49JsX/s640/sd_topography_small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The star on the left is Mobridge and the one on the right is, you guessed it, Aberdeen. Aberdeen is in the very flat James River Valley. The Black Hills show up dramatically in the left hand corner.</td></tr>
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A view down to Lake Oahe, on the uphill climb out of Mobridge on US 12.</div>
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The first town with services is Selby, 21 miles east of Mobridge. I stop for a cold drink. It's warm and muggy by mid-morning.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Young tricyclist at the Cenex station in Selby. Very unusual tricycle, with a handlebar basket. Two people can ride on it. When his dad steers and peddles the trike, the boy stands on the pegs sticking out of the rear wheel.</td></tr>
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I saw wind turbine parts being transported on several occasions. There's a pilot truck, a huge transport truck, and a warning truck in back.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2y9og4XSYUllvaUVIrqVSveRy-ANCiJ8x-vi1CZFE8aWxklFJ959Wh1S8iCjuOsC8tELz8STmyAFSpT1aLp8Ih1qDXsgh_Q3r3eX4s7AauwggKSE6aFbrxjZ1Mt4zxTT5h1qZuU3V/s1600/FullSizeRender%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2y9og4XSYUllvaUVIrqVSveRy-ANCiJ8x-vi1CZFE8aWxklFJ959Wh1S8iCjuOsC8tELz8STmyAFSpT1aLp8Ih1qDXsgh_Q3r3eX4s7AauwggKSE6aFbrxjZ1Mt4zxTT5h1qZuU3V/s640/FullSizeRender%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wind turbine tower segment. The photo doesn't show another 6-wheel extension of the truck that helps support the load.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVOKMJNpWVHZ3QXCMWKLtVR5RNLGg5RIRdOAi6EUXrbXA38wmEU8Sr5W3apLs9l13QXzP-jyrlJuowYOGETTDVUaAfBitfzp2odfPR5hTT0YvBkMl-SaSzGr1f-fZ1EFaum4glO0A/s1600/FullSizeRender%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVOKMJNpWVHZ3QXCMWKLtVR5RNLGg5RIRdOAi6EUXrbXA38wmEU8Sr5W3apLs9l13QXzP-jyrlJuowYOGETTDVUaAfBitfzp2odfPR5hTT0YvBkMl-SaSzGr1f-fZ1EFaum4glO0A/s640/FullSizeRender%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Half of a wind turbine propeller. Not much shoulder on this section of US 12. In worst case scenarios, I use my helmet mirror to assess if both lanes will be full. If so, I stop and pull off the road. This only happened on rare occasions because there never was much traffic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF_6hI5kFLdJOS0EDPmdfd29PmVfB70ZVR3lrOwANzeBXmwvg6Su4v9Pp3B4icCoJYW4OXbgDQibnz_LNy_4RNtqQ5c24aMPkqo8U0D7ENM2RC36j1RlCgNLLCNnhJeI3tkvYX_d-/s1600/FullSizeRender%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF_6hI5kFLdJOS0EDPmdfd29PmVfB70ZVR3lrOwANzeBXmwvg6Su4v9Pp3B4icCoJYW4OXbgDQibnz_LNy_4RNtqQ5c24aMPkqo8U0D7ENM2RC36j1RlCgNLLCNnhJeI3tkvYX_d-/s640/FullSizeRender%252816%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">There are really tall wind turbines in the region and really tall cell phone towers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyHx_XpVpJKqxQmpyvk1fHK3KM9TqM_fiQDXJSgb1OvXZTIGzPmUkNocIpodprxnUwZbd8qXF7m2swn64fzEp62pE5Gi0SBl6Iat6OSqAlVFncnLCMfw44Jc6vK9XepB-1pRUOuXJ/s1600/FullSizeRender%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyHx_XpVpJKqxQmpyvk1fHK3KM9TqM_fiQDXJSgb1OvXZTIGzPmUkNocIpodprxnUwZbd8qXF7m2swn64fzEp62pE5Gi0SBl6Iat6OSqAlVFncnLCMfw44Jc6vK9XepB-1pRUOuXJ/s640/FullSizeRender%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">This historical marker complains about how the designation of areas west of the 100th Meridian as part of the Great American Desert caused financial hardship for the state of South Dakota. The Wikipedia article on the Great American Desert provides a nuanced and historically sensitive case for why such a designation made sense at the time. The penultimate sentence on the plaque says "The 100th Meridian is just another bad memory."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDMeUOONDtYrsrXa_fud-Roupqj_2Mej9jOauGqg1Bp_S5HmMf5Z4_wHdX7-pm4QthY1450ST8u7BxDu6uH4oLEI0NXW_xdi5gFZHyuSDVCiVJYM0-QmK6DsM1D71yPZTmJN4qNeh/s1600/FullSizeRender%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDMeUOONDtYrsrXa_fud-Roupqj_2Mej9jOauGqg1Bp_S5HmMf5Z4_wHdX7-pm4QthY1450ST8u7BxDu6uH4oLEI0NXW_xdi5gFZHyuSDVCiVJYM0-QmK6DsM1D71yPZTmJN4qNeh/s640/FullSizeRender%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Standing water in a soybean field. It doesn't seem like a desert today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg650ICbFinjU_mC9yveN_NyepnuiI2Fdh8kuy2wmBSTLcHYn17mUN3m4DCMcr-qGK4K-kgvJ6onrSaxy9_peLmBzMdkanskjx2pk3RUmKA4jHJricxY8HEsCzuVWOxDShwKIqPSPxV/s1600/FullSizeRender%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg650ICbFinjU_mC9yveN_NyepnuiI2Fdh8kuy2wmBSTLcHYn17mUN3m4DCMcr-qGK4K-kgvJ6onrSaxy9_peLmBzMdkanskjx2pk3RUmKA4jHJricxY8HEsCzuVWOxDShwKIqPSPxV/s640/FullSizeRender%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Early usage of the term <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">Great American Desert referred to areas that could not be successfully farmed. In fact, a lot of farms did go under because it was a difficult region for farming. In those days, the Great American Desert was better suited for large ranches but it took much trial and error to figure that out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAykoTXsC-GcFuNPjCbVB4BT71zOj202vzGi0ob5_WExuEprssELJI5hsgn5rhjiKXGCqs37m4iQcELNd5WfH6b86FN9Tn-bL6jbi2XgQAvTimuhxEDahGh9bE0HD18ZwS9xNIF5iJ/s1600/FullSizeRender%252820%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAykoTXsC-GcFuNPjCbVB4BT71zOj202vzGi0ob5_WExuEprssELJI5hsgn5rhjiKXGCqs37m4iQcELNd5WfH6b86FN9Tn-bL6jbi2XgQAvTimuhxEDahGh9bE0HD18ZwS9xNIF5iJ/s640/FullSizeRender%252820%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Water levels are on the rise, as evidenced by this dead tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ63RqjgzGVHVMdjOTtvZw-SQ_xVK_-tOOrLZK1FX8avPz71uf-cWioZxDVbMIrb_5zBU4gIkbEpK0xlcP7Yy4GwIqSWVHU4ReWXJ_LW4L8uH8xP5DCNa_JIGZng9S4vpnLon1Ixm/s1600/FullSizeRender%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ63RqjgzGVHVMdjOTtvZw-SQ_xVK_-tOOrLZK1FX8avPz71uf-cWioZxDVbMIrb_5zBU4gIkbEpK0xlcP7Yy4GwIqSWVHU4ReWXJ_LW4L8uH8xP5DCNa_JIGZng9S4vpnLon1Ixm/s640/FullSizeRender%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Small farms have been going out of business for decades but new storage facilities are thriving because of the increased yields per acre produced by big farmers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvoslSEswtiN18OvViDVn5RoCab0U02AYznJfQceGB-0PJw87rkq5HEgdDwxIfaHBB2vppFrieAV8WdZgrE6WzdSK1lqAkOhN8PKo61ljKg6yv0686oWo4JPFMl9WKsj-9uptIp_u/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvoslSEswtiN18OvViDVn5RoCab0U02AYznJfQceGB-0PJw87rkq5HEgdDwxIfaHBB2vppFrieAV8WdZgrE6WzdSK1lqAkOhN8PKo61ljKg6yv0686oWo4JPFMl9WKsj-9uptIp_u/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Another new grain storage facility. As in the previous photo this one is located on a rail line.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47F5DMVJG48TFvmDDv1xZWvmE0HQK8YKFm2z2SFeHIeFtbSPR5SDNXfYh9J6qJkq6iHqS1lOMFa5R0KxSPOd7dpo1e3CLwoSOPQjNt4qB6SOveTKJsPMQTR8QFbeyIaa8lWlI4XD1/s1600/FullSizeRender%252819%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47F5DMVJG48TFvmDDv1xZWvmE0HQK8YKFm2z2SFeHIeFtbSPR5SDNXfYh9J6qJkq6iHqS1lOMFa5R0KxSPOd7dpo1e3CLwoSOPQjNt4qB6SOveTKJsPMQTR8QFbeyIaa8lWlI4XD1/s640/FullSizeRender%252819%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Bowdle's Main Street was important when railroads were the dominant form of transport. The decline of Bowdle's Main Street is suggested by the re-purposing of the bank as a youth center. The clatter, clang, and hissing of the grains storage bins on the railroad is constantly heard on Main Street today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYFmdOk7nEQCKaamo2PCMl4czUPZR1wKYYDUwfB4W3SPRlYyOF7_6AxiGVHS2_m2bSbMRSNPTzoOW781yTWMLtgVKXs_C3ZCi0YOYiSqlDaQ7bpsaHnbM9fACiRB6D7mdQ-2HIFss/s1600/FullSizeRender%252823%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYFmdOk7nEQCKaamo2PCMl4czUPZR1wKYYDUwfB4W3SPRlYyOF7_6AxiGVHS2_m2bSbMRSNPTzoOW781yTWMLtgVKXs_C3ZCi0YOYiSqlDaQ7bpsaHnbM9fACiRB6D7mdQ-2HIFss/s640/FullSizeRender%252823%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Old and new grain storage in Mina, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcq7reXyPFLts8Kd_Ekqr346ckRDaGOP1e7Vi2us591lESctkDh2MsDOiZazhevHG88soOHJ7FB3rA-MuOGD_w8N-dbw-phzDU6OC0Vocc8PWjqiiWM2vgLQCjp73LKpeiWHnw-k2/s1600/FullSizeRender%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcq7reXyPFLts8Kd_Ekqr346ckRDaGOP1e7Vi2us591lESctkDh2MsDOiZazhevHG88soOHJ7FB3rA-MuOGD_w8N-dbw-phzDU6OC0Vocc8PWjqiiWM2vgLQCjp73LKpeiWHnw-k2/s640/FullSizeRender%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">This terminal is located on the highway, not on the railroad like the previous ones.</td></tr>
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The winds were relentless. They were softer in the morning but from about 11 o'clock onward they were 8 mph with gusts to 12 or 13 mph. At least that's good for wind turbines.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0O6PAgsRX38YjMkZfOWMfR6NCQ5OinLer7FRmgcVyv6iYwNKMFOnAUksv2cDz8X4dE4AcVF5DvJZELVJREVEEXXoOWclRyFryd_uY7owgBinG_uZv-oQ20_6RWbYE04zQLciOyzB/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0O6PAgsRX38YjMkZfOWMfR6NCQ5OinLer7FRmgcVyv6iYwNKMFOnAUksv2cDz8X4dE4AcVF5DvJZELVJREVEEXXoOWclRyFryd_uY7owgBinG_uZv-oQ20_6RWbYE04zQLciOyzB/s640/IMG_3412.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I see more windsocks here than in Pennsylvania. This one is labeled with the name of the owner of the ranch. Note the extreme flatness of the James River Valley.</td></tr>
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US 12 got it start as a road to Yellowstone National Park. A resident of Ipswich, SD originated the idea of the Yellowstone Trail.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHPUuNrxhJ4SJ8xCJqQg6k69MTPEYtJCGYn-rzo7f7s9y16ounmjvVejNP_7emxcJ7KbA1brpBZM283NRA9hdbUpaIeCZ9fuWlQ_EW-wGRKJCXpl0uZDHnwI7-zNguktkxxoEuCYv/s1600/FullSizeRender%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHPUuNrxhJ4SJ8xCJqQg6k69MTPEYtJCGYn-rzo7f7s9y16ounmjvVejNP_7emxcJ7KbA1brpBZM283NRA9hdbUpaIeCZ9fuWlQ_EW-wGRKJCXpl0uZDHnwI7-zNguktkxxoEuCYv/s640/FullSizeRender%252821%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">Ipswich is the home of the idea of US 12 as a trans continental highway. US 12 started as a local road connecting South Dakota towns to one that connected Minneapolis to Yellowstone park and then from Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound.</td></tr>
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I reached my motel at about 8:30 PM. The road conditions were spectacularly good coming out of Mobridge for about 20 miles or more and for the final 20 or 25 miles coming into Aberdeen. The road shoulders were wide and smooth. Nevertheless it was a long hard slog. Yesterday's ride was more than 20 miles longer but I only spent 10 more minutes in the saddle. At times this ride made me reassess my desire for long bike trips, but looking back on it now I got it done and it doesn't seem so bad. It could have been worse. It's part of the adventure as they say.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-34807763705688154642015-08-13T17:24:00.000-04:002016-04-13T11:26:20.440-04:00Day 16, August 10: the longest day<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Hettinger, ND to Mobridge, SD </span><a href="http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150810-0612"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">http://cyclemeter.com/85ef50859d8f1e5c/Cycle-20150810-0612</span></span></a><br />
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Distance: 125.7 miles (Note: this reading and the three below are from Cyclemeter. I prefer to use my bike odometer because I think it is a little more accurate, but I inadvertently turned it off in the middle of the ride. Cyclemeter gives a slightly shorter distance, fewer ride time minutes, a higher average speed, and a lower maximum speed)</div>
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Riding time: 8:56</div>
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Average speed: 14.1 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 29.4 mph</div>
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Weather: It was 50<span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">°</span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> with a 49</span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">° </span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">dew point at my 6:10 am start, with no wind. By 9:00 the wind was westerly at 5 mph and it was 66</span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">°</span><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">. In the afternoon it warmed to the low 80s and the wind shifted to the north with a speed of about 6 mph. </span></div>
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Terrain: uphill 2757, downhill, 3742. The route sloped downward toward the Grand and Missouri Rivers near Mobridge. The cross section shows a cruel series of hills at the very end of the ride.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZkMz1NmPlyi9heh17W4A5xOJWteQfJanmQvWSfT8pAqE9PlE-JJEtyTHdUL_6saKenTQ8wESG_URnPD9KpLGmc0U-rOtNwyjxVyXQxqI-Xg9mW-V_MnxqfifEO4EguJtzWBWwBhX/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZkMz1NmPlyi9heh17W4A5xOJWteQfJanmQvWSfT8pAqE9PlE-JJEtyTHdUL_6saKenTQ8wESG_URnPD9KpLGmc0U-rOtNwyjxVyXQxqI-Xg9mW-V_MnxqfifEO4EguJtzWBWwBhX/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the lightly populated West, a major consideration for my route planning is where the motels are. Starting from Hettinger, ND, I had two choices: Watauga or Mobridge. The motel in the tiny hamlet of Watauga is about 55 miles from Hettinger, but there is no food or services within ten miles of the motel. Google Maps shows Mobridge to be 122 miles from Hettinger, and with a population of 3,500 people, it has several motel and eating options. The weather forecast shows no rain and mostly crosswinds from the north. The route plan is simple--US 12 the whole way (see map below). I decide to take the longest ride of my life. The previous long ride was 114 miles in the <a href="http://tmacd.com/Bike03/" target="_blank">Air Conditioned Tour Up North</a> back in 2003 with Tom and Bob. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJATtBGWzhYy3wdJsfgShvAdWlNMSdqI-UcgfQowWlRoQx46jeTdkBlewt5K9Vh4wjYZ4yqrELoO08SwM4P56FS5tA2pdqEwigjmHURJLrs7WGmD_nV61WzjBuZ4BDekUwCQh6ZV5/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJATtBGWzhYy3wdJsfgShvAdWlNMSdqI-UcgfQowWlRoQx46jeTdkBlewt5K9Vh4wjYZ4yqrELoO08SwM4P56FS5tA2pdqEwigjmHURJLrs7WGmD_nV61WzjBuZ4BDekUwCQh6ZV5/s640/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The route followed US 12 from Hettinger, ND on the left to Mobridge, SD in the bottom right. The shaded area is the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, which is a Lakota, Yanktonai and Dakota reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota.</span></td></tr>
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I knew it was going to be a long day so I started at 6:10 am. It was perfectly still, and there was mist in lowlying areas because the temperature of 50° was close to the 49<span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">° dew point.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx_7BzdxKG_qNRe_14LOCN7PYXPN_DFPIpB5ZVT0HMM6_-hgPL2tU-lvVLiUqRp9Vae1VqmB0fN9mkxwaGvyVme5DKjYoVsCQ-6OiAHT2dZmGTm6GIjcRdok7C8hiKx9tn_A_LK43/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx_7BzdxKG_qNRe_14LOCN7PYXPN_DFPIpB5ZVT0HMM6_-hgPL2tU-lvVLiUqRp9Vae1VqmB0fN9mkxwaGvyVme5DKjYoVsCQ-6OiAHT2dZmGTm6GIjcRdok7C8hiKx9tn_A_LK43/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Mist in the distance, just east of Hettinger, ND.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxWAH_T4TQXgCmI609nzGVj-o83BOwL32F3sWnFqu_37zUQ1RQD7YVdkSDFXgTG3nIzz_XJ6n7hObC6jpnbpDspxPFBbcjgT1htvKDR7Ua7IQ4yk2neSJk2G8TWxczJjiD89_-u2v/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxWAH_T4TQXgCmI609nzGVj-o83BOwL32F3sWnFqu_37zUQ1RQD7YVdkSDFXgTG3nIzz_XJ6n7hObC6jpnbpDspxPFBbcjgT1htvKDR7Ua7IQ4yk2neSJk2G8TWxczJjiD89_-u2v/s640/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The sun lights up dew-covered spider webs in a field.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx83vpx7dM7v6ryLpRUXtz_kJ4-QZISzLuY0lvUegGQvGfr5l4Ihr8-OmEeV-artsIU4eV3xG-NGx-wda8e5awmJ4S7MQJB6qUvW4hZsQo4KXvDo5JX5CTo7v3IHlJF46-7r7FQUCx/s1600/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx83vpx7dM7v6ryLpRUXtz_kJ4-QZISzLuY0lvUegGQvGfr5l4Ihr8-OmEeV-artsIU4eV3xG-NGx-wda8e5awmJ4S7MQJB6qUvW4hZsQo4KXvDo5JX5CTo7v3IHlJF46-7r7FQUCx/s640/FullSizeRender%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Dew-covered spider web with spider in the center.</td></tr>
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For many days I have been riding across the short grass prairie, that is, landscapes dominated by grass. The photo below is unusual in that it shows a grove of naturally occurring trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXNjoZDzUXx1EaLVq6nln8C06JfwJx0TOvjryzHwset93wHBioeG2zTo4BMNBIqg-c0Xlbekt-DdMfGzmbE2cb_tid1k6cAeVLUc7Io4iGp7Aae6yrOiTC2fD3j3Jp4PukqMzPtSL/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXNjoZDzUXx1EaLVq6nln8C06JfwJx0TOvjryzHwset93wHBioeG2zTo4BMNBIqg-c0Xlbekt-DdMfGzmbE2cb_tid1k6cAeVLUc7Io4iGp7Aae6yrOiTC2fD3j3Jp4PukqMzPtSL/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Native Americans called the grove of trees in the distance Pahachechacha, or Hidden Wood, because the hills cluster<br />
around it in such a way that it cannot be seen from more than two miles away. It has a clear stream at the bottom and<br />
it is the only source of timber in a radius of 30 miles.</td></tr>
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I enter South Dakota and the road changes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03qYZfw6x695TvzD8yxJHsQuuxJ1v0QDndrtp0VZ9DPNlIt7xzJCZGReDRQlyu4BL1qKCE1VBHy2aNayGrvVUIjP4OX2g5B6of9yS_xJonYW0hdFSu_eEY6YT5peOMfv8cqZBxltK/s1600/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03qYZfw6x695TvzD8yxJHsQuuxJ1v0QDndrtp0VZ9DPNlIt7xzJCZGReDRQlyu4BL1qKCE1VBHy2aNayGrvVUIjP4OX2g5B6of9yS_xJonYW0hdFSu_eEY6YT5peOMfv8cqZBxltK/s400/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Entering South Dakota on US 12.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Bu8syt1-qrEgE3uM1XoiyqeOGw8y9Lqs9CosEVbHTb5s_5FMXZa1ZAt5AGHgOPirJENhLtT0Cf8o6cMREweYVWG4yHMj0UUznff-zEdYf_DPJJh2LRqKSDiQNP9XSNNCLYhfwnce/s1600/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Bu8syt1-qrEgE3uM1XoiyqeOGw8y9Lqs9CosEVbHTb5s_5FMXZa1ZAt5AGHgOPirJENhLtT0Cf8o6cMREweYVWG4yHMj0UUznff-zEdYf_DPJJh2LRqKSDiQNP9XSNNCLYhfwnce/s640/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The wide shoulder in North Dakota narrows down to no shoulder in South Dakota, and the road gets a lot bumpier. I quickly drew some negative conclusions about South Dakota, but I was premature. Fortunately, the rough road only lasted for a few miles before getting wider and smoother.</td></tr>
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Lemmon is the first sizable town today with services. It has two museums.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RGLbCfP7anpUdKuQaCtFhzV86gPOi9UfWqgui8WnMGSBfrHDtRNOkpa3RHa_E8DHHgQc-bUCIyeQqJACIa5HOoCWXCKuVX31_AbON6rIHx0LDavQaJXE8NthiG-Oa_qkPftLnYfH/s1600/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RGLbCfP7anpUdKuQaCtFhzV86gPOi9UfWqgui8WnMGSBfrHDtRNOkpa3RHa_E8DHHgQc-bUCIyeQqJACIa5HOoCWXCKuVX31_AbON6rIHx0LDavQaJXE8NthiG-Oa_qkPftLnYfH/s640/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Cowboy on a triceratops at the Grand River Museum in Lemmon, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwLmKMAK3rGXndzv5tuY_jerYFrUxFT6WiENmg4H_p005kT0ufxBe-Q-Y6Jopa_VmZnQTGChsDLQ3VOObZITUcErzdifb2Ll9Hk03uytYxZBiCwatYLFOecgrqCOv7VuAG3fS1dx5/s1600/159dc57dc156710aa7eb91e4b065fe5e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwLmKMAK3rGXndzv5tuY_jerYFrUxFT6WiENmg4H_p005kT0ufxBe-Q-Y6Jopa_VmZnQTGChsDLQ3VOObZITUcErzdifb2Ll9Hk03uytYxZBiCwatYLFOecgrqCOv7VuAG3fS1dx5/s640/159dc57dc156710aa7eb91e4b065fe5e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Close up view of the triceratops at the Grand River Museum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJTHi0cmvdbIflZCbeJ9h0RycMWmcTJ29KExKivudBcZQZ8KK2afOPin3847a6fMNGD3QSXO_lTdoyjOZZSKVjgVOFzNRaxoJPDFdia6JmCytqv8BZs8Cbw-Q5XQnMQfenfqVfeR5/s1600/FullSizeRender%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJTHi0cmvdbIflZCbeJ9h0RycMWmcTJ29KExKivudBcZQZ8KK2afOPin3847a6fMNGD3QSXO_lTdoyjOZZSKVjgVOFzNRaxoJPDFdia6JmCytqv8BZs8Cbw-Q5XQnMQfenfqVfeR5/s640/FullSizeRender%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Petrified Wood Park and Museum in Lemmon, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiI5qh60G2B2iWMwPHOO6mxTwKceWFxcjnsPX6_8VT76-XpqBvbwHNs7TeDtvtxef8gXfMQVsWF8tBYx-G5tEvOFW31vANhxpC0_E53HBN2K1Y07k0ZHRRynwhevftdp73Eq3Atgr/s1600/IMG_3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiI5qh60G2B2iWMwPHOO6mxTwKceWFxcjnsPX6_8VT76-XpqBvbwHNs7TeDtvtxef8gXfMQVsWF8tBYx-G5tEvOFW31vANhxpC0_E53HBN2K1Y07k0ZHRRynwhevftdp73Eq3Atgr/s400/IMG_3360.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The sign says these pieces of petrified wood have dinosaur claw marks. Could it be true?</td></tr>
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As I proceed eastward, the ranches and cowboy hats give way to farms and seed caps. There is more rainfall that can support agriculture as well as lakes, ponds, and wetlands.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTBjekRvTnFy8cSwC5Fq3Xb3yNPCeBioG9FQFCGxQnITT63caximndQKsN4srE2d0LcwxqZH_ePQP1LAgti-jhKTc7XluOM3mI81z-wNt9_n1rNuyyBb0tXDQvNXKo9iFGS36K1xC/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTBjekRvTnFy8cSwC5Fq3Xb3yNPCeBioG9FQFCGxQnITT63caximndQKsN4srE2d0LcwxqZH_ePQP1LAgti-jhKTc7XluOM3mI81z-wNt9_n1rNuyyBb0tXDQvNXKo9iFGS36K1xC/s640/IMG_3354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Sunflower field in Trail Township, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DQkuRD7aFa9-HOg9flCXvw55s-NEQhxPIotkxAF5hxhlv0PtMvubLoOU64FUMW1GlMg3oLGkIGtnGHYphtzkBH6I-qw_6QxksdNuZznn5nz5260ic6UkVsWA7vFX2rBulXCE-y6J/s1600/IMG_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DQkuRD7aFa9-HOg9flCXvw55s-NEQhxPIotkxAF5hxhlv0PtMvubLoOU64FUMW1GlMg3oLGkIGtnGHYphtzkBH6I-qw_6QxksdNuZznn5nz5260ic6UkVsWA7vFX2rBulXCE-y6J/s640/IMG_3361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This ranch sign has the iconic cowboys on horseback with cattle. It also has the state bird of South Dakota, the ring-necked pheasant.</td></tr>
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I have a long history in South Dakota. Sixty-four years ago I was born about 100 miles south of here in Huron. My family only lived in Huron for a year or two, and then we moved to Sioux Falls, where my brother Bill was born. My dad was a traveling salesman for Quaker Oats in Huron, and in Sioux Falls he sold pens for Parker Pen. In those jobs he drove on US 12 quite a lot. He carried a shotgun in his car and on two or three occasions stopped and shot a pheasant, which Mom later prepared for dinner.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwllr6uIya9Iv5xqGeXixIUyW8jPgeE1cfr2fyoNPNMZ-PWuKHpYXLjbHA2w1Dm2-IvQbcXMdAZzx0Ml6CgQvN-kx5KCtYwCsTeKwGjVxyapnkRcUpOq5thNCGY1YEljr0hVXsXxyu/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwllr6uIya9Iv5xqGeXixIUyW8jPgeE1cfr2fyoNPNMZ-PWuKHpYXLjbHA2w1Dm2-IvQbcXMdAZzx0Ml6CgQvN-kx5KCtYwCsTeKwGjVxyapnkRcUpOq5thNCGY1YEljr0hVXsXxyu/s400/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">As I biked along US 12, I often flushed out pheasants and grouses. The photo shows a grouse killed by a vehicle. Grouse eat road grit to aid in the digestion of their food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE2jYSe999OJ956pvlI1TvPfBLCS6q4NWSnkLGgFr99KtTB-EeeBm6FD25Oywr_iqhMfOsk7Qv_0C-PaUo3xGZ9YT3XseI5CKx9z-Zu0r6ACLVz7u3-g-9xIIj00gduFDve__o9Ul/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE2jYSe999OJ956pvlI1TvPfBLCS6q4NWSnkLGgFr99KtTB-EeeBm6FD25Oywr_iqhMfOsk7Qv_0C-PaUo3xGZ9YT3XseI5CKx9z-Zu0r6ACLVz7u3-g-9xIIj00gduFDve__o9Ul/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Small lake with ducks, in Trail Township, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx098u0l7njIdwTgb96i35ubS3HieKeC_NwQuZoohXUvDiMh2OMhj4aRxP7ZkQI1E91pZNqIji0NnsJbnxnSf2dMVdeb7OuUWfditgSpb8z2Gl_YG_Gu1cGRCf36urCtMxBDGlZVtd/s1600/FullSizeRender%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx098u0l7njIdwTgb96i35ubS3HieKeC_NwQuZoohXUvDiMh2OMhj4aRxP7ZkQI1E91pZNqIji0NnsJbnxnSf2dMVdeb7OuUWfditgSpb8z2Gl_YG_Gu1cGRCf36urCtMxBDGlZVtd/s1600/FullSizeRender%252812%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">US 12 stretches on forever: rangeland on the left and grassland on the right. Near McLaughlin, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkVemVOGs7iQPthmMIf95t0VxCMhmPg_xZ1FJB_QF04iNLOyc2OHt81nNpqncFxQqn5xOoCtRml5G3yCKa0KJ7x7Ta3mMLVg5uFF2c7wc2ZKZ6k5hW7loMLtkI1YvgOUXc80aDJIR/s1600/FullSizeRender%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkVemVOGs7iQPthmMIf95t0VxCMhmPg_xZ1FJB_QF04iNLOyc2OHt81nNpqncFxQqn5xOoCtRml5G3yCKa0KJ7x7Ta3mMLVg5uFF2c7wc2ZKZ6k5hW7loMLtkI1YvgOUXc80aDJIR/s640/FullSizeRender%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Bales of hay underneath fair weather cumulus clouds, near Watauga, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEvC_cdnZoi13HheG74V4hbqgZAyy6XeKINBNIcK74Yqm_Lt97C3TLblLYaNHS5RIPejnOFUtFfma5p48_RoYrF27bHaRZz2XUjbRGjuYnPAM9eImuLQB10Pgh91t8SrJb2eyCWUa/s1600/FullSizeRender%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEvC_cdnZoi13HheG74V4hbqgZAyy6XeKINBNIcK74Yqm_Lt97C3TLblLYaNHS5RIPejnOFUtFfma5p48_RoYrF27bHaRZz2XUjbRGjuYnPAM9eImuLQB10Pgh91t8SrJb2eyCWUa/s1600/FullSizeRender%252811%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The only goats I have seen so far. Near Watauga, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV3MLduf8EzBdrYLGuqBVAWciweBpfn7RPNyj9OCPSnAb6ToxXRTEuyGxX4YA60oGYWGwx38TM0IUhflDDMYtOB1t63SzyXZ156gY4G2HQp-pq3nNRIqowlgfIWYZ84Lnxvi-yJ31/s1600/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV3MLduf8EzBdrYLGuqBVAWciweBpfn7RPNyj9OCPSnAb6ToxXRTEuyGxX4YA60oGYWGwx38TM0IUhflDDMYtOB1t63SzyXZ156gY4G2HQp-pq3nNRIqowlgfIWYZ84Lnxvi-yJ31/s1600/FullSizeRender%25284%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I think these are Black Baldies, a type of crossbred beef cattle produced by crossing Hereford cattle with a solid black<br />
breed, usually Aberdeen Angus. They look young to me, and many of them stampeded away from me when they first<br />
saw me, but then their curiosity got the best of them and almost all of them looked me over. Near McIntosh, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEarQ4SDeC0Mf43XknEM-W6r6xJTNdEal9zLxKQklnC-nVWByOkPB4wwDzyRHAB9D8x8GmmB9caGnyFlOcODeFZSG_BTQuCv7ofPY7Yzf9kwEe5RUTD2u_1_2pkd0IbDNhOG2pUlTP/s1600/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEarQ4SDeC0Mf43XknEM-W6r6xJTNdEal9zLxKQklnC-nVWByOkPB4wwDzyRHAB9D8x8GmmB9caGnyFlOcODeFZSG_BTQuCv7ofPY7Yzf9kwEe5RUTD2u_1_2pkd0IbDNhOG2pUlTP/s1600/FullSizeRender%25285%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The cattle in the previous picture are spread out. The ones in back in the previous picture have come forward, out of<br />
curiosity I guess.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlnBvJLK5ZmxBYX1cAyzNJ0wPpISDBQksRLSV1OU8CK802uU7XBG59sMZNuhDop3DjcBDEhTrt9i-sCaZZSbvLYJBtARaoRcz72PGEwmCssmeDjxfBFGNz8SwIoNh3Fy1EM05AFOt/s1600/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlnBvJLK5ZmxBYX1cAyzNJ0wPpISDBQksRLSV1OU8CK802uU7XBG59sMZNuhDop3DjcBDEhTrt9i-sCaZZSbvLYJBtARaoRcz72PGEwmCssmeDjxfBFGNz8SwIoNh3Fy1EM05AFOt/s1600/FullSizeRender%25286%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Wheat field, pretty sky. Near McIntosh, SD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7wLwZSkZHnpKQXe7TQrvM3WW2sttYufLqOmdL-PM-maeezARkBT9gqd9IHc71dHc31QvrvcSQDQjoqNOiYaHpOuUZ6TBNNW9N_QYWjPl4tQbMBPBka3YI0YbPixYG3PxIMiS6-Oz/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7wLwZSkZHnpKQXe7TQrvM3WW2sttYufLqOmdL-PM-maeezARkBT9gqd9IHc71dHc31QvrvcSQDQjoqNOiYaHpOuUZ6TBNNW9N_QYWjPl4tQbMBPBka3YI0YbPixYG3PxIMiS6-Oz/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Corn became increasingly common as I rode eastward. I was a little surprised to see it in area with less than 20 inches<br />
of precipitation. Near McIntosh, SD.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8po8s6Zjg-uWBftNM85bjUi67MaUXMFRE_tTBwNN7v0G_kpgTtm0gmsaPTGFspdnY0vW4Ke9OTpKJ7Dy1FxnUNySmFkRgEbS_Ax0hxNE92Jibf8BQ_ubRnxXPryRT7sSkjCwIQTb/s1600/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8po8s6Zjg-uWBftNM85bjUi67MaUXMFRE_tTBwNN7v0G_kpgTtm0gmsaPTGFspdnY0vW4Ke9OTpKJ7Dy1FxnUNySmFkRgEbS_Ax0hxNE92Jibf8BQ_ubRnxXPryRT7sSkjCwIQTb/s640/FullSizeRender%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A huge storage facility near McLaughlin for the various crops raised in the area. The storage bins are a sign that we are in predominantly agricultural areas rather than ranching. The locomotive engine in the center of the picture provides a sense of scale.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbecjgc_f7AIDXkP7ex7yWN573SQLTyoCqOr6KdaJbwLxz2VUSmu9ttD6RVGSNJkC3MnbO-lFwugN9tGNHXUp_jjtlUAe24kK6e4RhqlwXnupftt3pSsQfodSQ9ykX8XuS9VpRcOFw/s1600/FullSizeRender_1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbecjgc_f7AIDXkP7ex7yWN573SQLTyoCqOr6KdaJbwLxz2VUSmu9ttD6RVGSNJkC3MnbO-lFwugN9tGNHXUp_jjtlUAe24kK6e4RhqlwXnupftt3pSsQfodSQ9ykX8XuS9VpRcOFw/s400/FullSizeRender_1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Which way should I go?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWycB2suu45YzjhvFZt5HiAK_HjoKj3_qItSAc-LDA4JAj998NwsIVlJEK1FrO9b73c4NpG03rUDD_MFpMZlRYjVuOEVX0ZyBfD2s8HhBWkntIBPSdw8pTeWcLl0PKMFb8kavlGjY/s1600/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWycB2suu45YzjhvFZt5HiAK_HjoKj3_qItSAc-LDA4JAj998NwsIVlJEK1FrO9b73c4NpG03rUDD_MFpMZlRYjVuOEVX0ZyBfD2s8HhBWkntIBPSdw8pTeWcLl0PKMFb8kavlGjY/s640/FullSizeRender%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Toward the end of the day the route bent southward, so the north wind became mostly a tailwind. This windsock is at the McLaughlin, SD airport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuD9qZzUYn__pQtK5mcYt7sQWCTzoYz6wmxSEsrcYbGMmlqBOAjhTHqnBkexRcibhT0dZ6EO3x3ybxKCRGu_emZOvw-lORcqWM3MbKjRUllGClp-LeBVEo77jr7QEkn4uk__GizE-/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuD9qZzUYn__pQtK5mcYt7sQWCTzoYz6wmxSEsrcYbGMmlqBOAjhTHqnBkexRcibhT0dZ6EO3x3ybxKCRGu_emZOvw-lORcqWM3MbKjRUllGClp-LeBVEo77jr7QEkn4uk__GizE-/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The Grand River section of Lake Oahe. The lake is the fourth largest reservoir in the US.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHHaA1f3Sg8TZW-gR_ppNsDADA2WcAx52i8aBWZhdt3XekmpbFZlw1jQ6Ms8hsKnEx6yFXss7KndGdQxA5QT8W7HnElA0n8959lXJ6T-16-SUfW1-inQ2DYIJx4cZECKSA8OAKSqC/s1600/FullSizeRender%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHHaA1f3Sg8TZW-gR_ppNsDADA2WcAx52i8aBWZhdt3XekmpbFZlw1jQ6Ms8hsKnEx6yFXss7KndGdQxA5QT8W7HnElA0n8959lXJ6T-16-SUfW1-inQ2DYIJx4cZECKSA8OAKSqC/s640/FullSizeRender%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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It's late in the day and I cast a long shadow. Not a lot of room for bikes on this bridge across the Missouri River. My destination of Mobridge is on the other side. The town's name is a contraction of Missouri Bridge.</div>
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The end of the ride was tough, with a series of five hills with 100 to 150 feet of vertical, each equivalent to about a 12-story building, I guess. Somehow I made it. I think (and hope) this will be the longest day of my trip. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18100084567107287376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324714265200588551.post-20710951557316839272015-08-12T21:45:00.004-04:002016-04-11T23:22:30.247-04:00Day 15, August 9: raindrops keep fallin' on my headBaker, MT to Hettinger, ND (oops, I forgot to start my Cyclemeter app for this day, but here's a Google <a href="https://goo.gl/oXaN7j" target="_blank">link </a>to the route)<br />
Distance: 89.4 miles<br />
Average speed: 14.5 mph<br />
Maximum speed: 24.5 mph<br />
Riding time: 6:28<br />
Weather: Rain in the forecast again, so I left before sunrise. The road was a little damp from rain in the night. Temperatures started in the low 60s and got up to the high 70s. It didn't get very warm because of persistent cloudiness. The winds were variable: still in the morning and in different directions during the afternoon, but I did have some tailwinds.<br />
Terrain: uphill 919 feet, downhill 1152 feet. The low point in the first part of the cross section is the Little Missouri River.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DA4tUPyU4JfdMGfgAF1Qic5sLC95IxPUaxP2zVo48isF8UWsimvlXR8Xrs_NwMHwJit4ykc84ih2D2gFEGLVPxsU6drE-TfevGE9JvOqDclhBzQuHM0abDklkUks0thcWaExz0Vv/s1600/2015-08-12+15_18_34-Baker%252C+MT+to+Hettinger%252C+ND+58639+-+Google+Maps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DA4tUPyU4JfdMGfgAF1Qic5sLC95IxPUaxP2zVo48isF8UWsimvlXR8Xrs_NwMHwJit4ykc84ih2D2gFEGLVPxsU6drE-TfevGE9JvOqDclhBzQuHM0abDklkUks0thcWaExz0Vv/s400/2015-08-12+15_18_34-Baker%252C+MT+to+Hettinger%252C+ND+58639+-+Google+Maps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I followed US 12 all day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AsFlZUbx_J5gbUTeXqxkcBGnMGTUo0EXZ58yHpWwQL8vcoPD_RmiEstX0KDdBbMgfZr0SzC5CXUFRN-RP-z0dMIF31zAoPWH6hyG_Zhee6V9VKYyj_H8gbf98aTdQ1S7twSwPCgT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-12+at+3.48.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AsFlZUbx_J5gbUTeXqxkcBGnMGTUo0EXZ58yHpWwQL8vcoPD_RmiEstX0KDdBbMgfZr0SzC5CXUFRN-RP-z0dMIF31zAoPWH6hyG_Zhee6V9VKYyj_H8gbf98aTdQ1S7twSwPCgT/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-12+at+3.48.14+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I left Baker, I saw several horsehead oil pumps.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqvgScnXJiwyuXVJS3YvDeElBGo4SfFijScWFPdRU33mCAnDEJnI3UElPV3_NDTOn8CIg0BCU6rn4wC0D1jAH9eC3Q5157AJO2nvcITkTk2Kp3PA6yFKnO70ReoZGoCZUo_GA0qCQ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqvgScnXJiwyuXVJS3YvDeElBGo4SfFijScWFPdRU33mCAnDEJnI3UElPV3_NDTOn8CIg0BCU6rn4wC0D1jAH9eC3Q5157AJO2nvcITkTk2Kp3PA6yFKnO70ReoZGoCZUo_GA0qCQ/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Horsehead oil pump just after dawn.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qC8IHfJy1Nft8G3P3gWNG0EtedzOwv_FJDTMtTqOajVE6NIdUVjRbu4f4RZ2W3Wtcrk2Odx8evTWkCwNVDPjWlb3YmpzN-upYy9D0sWxkds3_JX18bISI8Oca79_6Kv279kkS9jr/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qC8IHfJy1Nft8G3P3gWNG0EtedzOwv_FJDTMtTqOajVE6NIdUVjRbu4f4RZ2W3Wtcrk2Odx8evTWkCwNVDPjWlb3YmpzN-upYy9D0sWxkds3_JX18bISI8Oca79_6Kv279kkS9jr/s640/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Horsehead oil pump a few miles east of Baker, ND. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrAW6b5hB-nWAW5q01y457KLM_ZuNAzg_1sqmP6e8_IOh1Om9ZZPrgxZ52RC_u7XpAsoLMJVuCrVaml40YEeHWBktS8BY6O2zzcTScO5b7N5mgY3TyuGhf0hna2hGf14vxlz1Ypqj/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrAW6b5hB-nWAW5q01y457KLM_ZuNAzg_1sqmP6e8_IOh1Om9ZZPrgxZ52RC_u7XpAsoLMJVuCrVaml40YEeHWBktS8BY6O2zzcTScO5b7N5mgY3TyuGhf0hna2hGf14vxlz1Ypqj/s640/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Power, oil, death.</div>
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A turtle in the road with a 70 mph speed limit. I got this one to the other side of the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZMwIX9ng-PYqwHWciLQo0Ih1xlF5g5svh1AawcoQxWMZ9xZQVL9kiuoXTMb0TGQPg2n-2XfQQWSC0QPVBx6yb3tkNrGJc8yWJ0kDC5O5vsyE0-iQ1t3trn_Yh39PdF5Ww_GBggcM/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZMwIX9ng-PYqwHWciLQo0Ih1xlF5g5svh1AawcoQxWMZ9xZQVL9kiuoXTMb0TGQPg2n-2XfQQWSC0QPVBx6yb3tkNrGJc8yWJ0kDC5O5vsyE0-iQ1t3trn_Yh39PdF5Ww_GBggcM/s640/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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How many times has this turtle crossed the highway?</div>
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After a dozen miles or so I reached North Dakota. It took me 11 days of cycling and 3 days of rest to cross Montana.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL31fUT5gXH3WGQDD-vaa9cO6l5mLmGqj2Eg0mvJJFqckw1WmUBsQg0-dKZ-x2FSyYeiol1XQzTpXa66p1Zme6nQj9qMtOe6uXp-PL1rzIlWlP09wGuy7mmvNxjOBh0-iGzxA8tTI/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL31fUT5gXH3WGQDD-vaa9cO6l5mLmGqj2Eg0mvJJFqckw1WmUBsQg0-dKZ-x2FSyYeiol1XQzTpXa66p1Zme6nQj9qMtOe6uXp-PL1rzIlWlP09wGuy7mmvNxjOBh0-iGzxA8tTI/s640/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Lots of bullet holes in this sign. The Montana sign a few hundred yards away has no holes.</td></tr>
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I had US 12 virtually to myself. In the first eleven miles, two cars passed me and two cars approached me.<br />
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This part of North Dakota has some badlands topography. That is, to quote Wikipedia, "a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water." Some miles north of here along the Little Missouri River is Theodore Roosevelt National Park which has marvelous badlands landforms.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6rMUWsahZJBBLN1u5hKYGWVRTaGC2MiSr6KWdQNOE3pZ6rAaE0tHZd1-3_q7qbHMS5rsgoUL-ElE8tnH0b38FAiX_gVdhIxtjBT5K42ZFjWiCy5fcBEVvvQZPcCyiWH5clg-elZV/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6rMUWsahZJBBLN1u5hKYGWVRTaGC2MiSr6KWdQNOE3pZ6rAaE0tHZd1-3_q7qbHMS5rsgoUL-ElE8tnH0b38FAiX_gVdhIxtjBT5K42ZFjWiCy5fcBEVvvQZPcCyiWH5clg-elZV/s640/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Badlands landforms.</div>
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Energy processing facility.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyGwOKIiZRZ9GnGo6PiZWKcYifwR1JueGUzRrFKZzaG6r12EVFcaNyaD28A4ZV7k8BIE9whHvaHzTvTij1qDE7uumBNTW_Np50-q1vMZSckcYmOD8VCpUFsxTXs9DEUWEb4u4iPqW/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyGwOKIiZRZ9GnGo6PiZWKcYifwR1JueGUzRrFKZzaG6r12EVFcaNyaD28A4ZV7k8BIE9whHvaHzTvTij1qDE7uumBNTW_Np50-q1vMZSckcYmOD8VCpUFsxTXs9DEUWEb4u4iPqW/s640/FullSizeRender+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
I could see this plant flaring off natural gas from at least 10 miles down the road, but the flame coming out of the tall stack is only barely visible in this photo.</div>
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The section of US 12 near Marmarth, ND has two roadside statues.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCmUI87s03DsdfqDLEcRXxl6pwJD6xFAUIbfKj7m_8J4uXro2u2qSaLwbFH7e1ql4Bx8nBxabg9XSlNRFf8P3-RGlTil00J5GEIedBzaaH1UpJ5B5zBuWQgYLL7w_m7_TsxoFB5u6/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCmUI87s03DsdfqDLEcRXxl6pwJD6xFAUIbfKj7m_8J4uXro2u2qSaLwbFH7e1ql4Bx8nBxabg9XSlNRFf8P3-RGlTil00J5GEIedBzaaH1UpJ5B5zBuWQgYLL7w_m7_TsxoFB5u6/s640/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Cowboy silhouette near Marmarth, ND.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCZHrQ881eGJW8JHFqmdPqP7RKA7ajddYU0ghVtFGRhsYufRklG30pdhb-lknlAnxrf53qTLbGxg69H8EFwpubwSeOeMv09FakegaHFmW1ETqZFkKQu7t2bJQP0i5_sj9bPX-3Kzq/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCZHrQ881eGJW8JHFqmdPqP7RKA7ajddYU0ghVtFGRhsYufRklG30pdhb-lknlAnxrf53qTLbGxg69H8EFwpubwSeOeMv09FakegaHFmW1ETqZFkKQu7t2bJQP0i5_sj9bPX-3Kzq/s640/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Lifesize T Rex silhouette near Marmarth, ND.</div>
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I occasionally saw sheep ranches. This pasture has sheep and an alpaca. The rancher saw me taking a picture, and he said that the alpaca keeps the coyotes away.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gtwnJ8Cdd2FgpLUt9HiLUXmlDJfgq91S9uKOHsQ1JNAhbITgP-r__DBfFl3cnmHV6B613j0TLw0UDmbq_4_ABwnKt5bUxYt_sgCHj9o5ohsdKLe5OJ8RWt2wiYQ7MuTOa7pqAcv9/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gtwnJ8Cdd2FgpLUt9HiLUXmlDJfgq91S9uKOHsQ1JNAhbITgP-r__DBfFl3cnmHV6B613j0TLw0UDmbq_4_ABwnKt5bUxYt_sgCHj9o5ohsdKLe5OJ8RWt2wiYQ7MuTOa7pqAcv9/s640/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
This alpaca protects the sheep from coyotes on this ranch near Marmarth, ND.</div>
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<br />
I occasionally saw wind turbines, and some were huge.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk5qY-9xfNu4nUuHos8pixOz6bWWD0Ss9LAVv2C7mOxC9iUhntBhIBsU0b6KZE7QxJg9uXUG9iCraZY5vFc9zYMuyc6vVDyC0Fe5hzK0ej2lT4LrXjlHkH4OTvBJnCCCjOeVoTX5w/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk5qY-9xfNu4nUuHos8pixOz6bWWD0Ss9LAVv2C7mOxC9iUhntBhIBsU0b6KZE7QxJg9uXUG9iCraZY5vFc9zYMuyc6vVDyC0Fe5hzK0ej2lT4LrXjlHkH4OTvBJnCCCjOeVoTX5w/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Wind turbines in a wheat field. A road wide enough for big trucks between two of the turbines gives some sense of how large<br />
these turbines are.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEiYUF9KaRIcX2MqDj9CjGEbaDY55IxWv7aDBn-2slVeZ0nryFB_lWoSjWc_npZ69cQTQ5FQ8l7nRnKUhbSNRrQoBLAlwjcMogzY9lWsTkx_iVDrsUakvLUMFq_IdFawDeG9LQ7Zx/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEiYUF9KaRIcX2MqDj9CjGEbaDY55IxWv7aDBn-2slVeZ0nryFB_lWoSjWc_npZ69cQTQ5FQ8l7nRnKUhbSNRrQoBLAlwjcMogzY9lWsTkx_iVDrsUakvLUMFq_IdFawDeG9LQ7Zx/s640/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Wind turbines in a sunflower field.</div>
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Rain started coming down on me a mile or two west of Bowman, ND. I took shelter at Prairie Mountain Electric Motor Inc. The buildings have no eaves, so I stepped inside a garage and waited the rain out. It was Sunday but the owner of this place happened to show up and was very welcoming, even though I was trespassing in a way.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGK-2jNNSGXpy6TDtZb4UNnO_8ryfc3Asv07VEiC8LQYiF-riqxebj9PGI-eDgD-grlR8IyC-E1hQLaqMSKDdJTrUo_xWp8IsxgmOendR39O-_ogUZ0VmnOMbwd_jNSCWNl4SVT-p/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGK-2jNNSGXpy6TDtZb4UNnO_8ryfc3Asv07VEiC8LQYiF-riqxebj9PGI-eDgD-grlR8IyC-E1hQLaqMSKDdJTrUo_xWp8IsxgmOendR39O-_ogUZ0VmnOMbwd_jNSCWNl4SVT-p/s640/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Any port in a storm. I waited out the rain for about 30 minutes here. The business name does seem self contradictory: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"prairie mountain."</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR-sqf2Y4oU7HV0PmFrsTZ_m19GMCOGZMMzT3EFY8VU9ujsdjt88dwyDQPbbwWpiARi6syscE_bYX4-UOPY5LeAlo2CU47M1PWlM_TQXBsmIkEk2zPkPIdjenc951t2TIYx1VdSaO/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR-sqf2Y4oU7HV0PmFrsTZ_m19GMCOGZMMzT3EFY8VU9ujsdjt88dwyDQPbbwWpiARi6syscE_bYX4-UOPY5LeAlo2CU47M1PWlM_TQXBsmIkEk2zPkPIdjenc951t2TIYx1VdSaO/s640/FullSizeRender+%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Some motorcyclists waited out the rain at the Frontier Travel Center in Bowman. They likely attended the 75th Sturgis Rally, which was the largest ever, with more than a million attendees. The motorcyclists going to and returning from Sturgis have to avoid Nebraska, which requires helmets for all riders (18 other states require helmets). Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota do not have helmet requirements.</div>
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<br />
<br />
The cloudscapes were often beautiful, I tracked a couple of small storm cells as they moved northeastward across the sky.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwzRGVQgUK2HCwJB9pcs7lFUvDtpB2iCqQtBGRcj4VfmC7T6cIvc-kTm9AMryGp-kZctSxgkrwd8Rs_TwFD9PU6nV5eVrvI-3CZENMZqUFiG5yXogmmXHUFug1sg44nECdanj2Zbb/s1600/IMG_3324+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwzRGVQgUK2HCwJB9pcs7lFUvDtpB2iCqQtBGRcj4VfmC7T6cIvc-kTm9AMryGp-kZctSxgkrwd8Rs_TwFD9PU6nV5eVrvI-3CZENMZqUFiG5yXogmmXHUFug1sg44nECdanj2Zbb/s1600/IMG_3324+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
The gray area of rain on the left is the same storm that I got caught in just west of Bowman.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-obO9qN81HX0_aNyH1X5NmcrFpCMyYm7wVhY2gz7ug0mWIHzwTMElU_4m21UWhUzXTIvU6hBmcenQV0YwpjcK__iiKILOPaKOX5CX_ThndaLYCuFLFFUTNK65ZoYPUmJMWLiSItV/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-obO9qN81HX0_aNyH1X5NmcrFpCMyYm7wVhY2gz7ug0mWIHzwTMElU_4m21UWhUzXTIvU6hBmcenQV0YwpjcK__iiKILOPaKOX5CX_ThndaLYCuFLFFUTNK65ZoYPUmJMWLiSItV/s640/FullSizeRender+%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Grain storage and allied activities in Scranton, ND. Rain on the right.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KUiWwvaRg9UEwC01M12t59rgwyXE9L2tU3Yvg2ofKMVVoKyNpHdooEzxp7VJf9X65vFq-YOmQkRY5JNg49128HLsvefGcwt_KZa-_eEzIXKweD64bwplhbHRZOCmuZiYipBFvlnX/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KUiWwvaRg9UEwC01M12t59rgwyXE9L2tU3Yvg2ofKMVVoKyNpHdooEzxp7VJf9X65vFq-YOmQkRY5JNg49128HLsvefGcwt_KZa-_eEzIXKweD64bwplhbHRZOCmuZiYipBFvlnX/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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A huge pipeline facility.</div>
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A rainstorm was gaining on me and scattered raindrops pelted my helmet. I pulled into Reeder, where I took refuge under a picnic shelter in a small park on Reeder's Main Street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIruF0mnF_QSRPdQycTegWCjdrNOskWSvOF4opnvKpofkXOjAKrtEaZeFeVnSSYIp1sta37rAU56xadCFBJgRpoPi15kzKGE6wS2UDpszGeG0SOVMLpE_kf3yWJu-095QVVy6VKhU/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIruF0mnF_QSRPdQycTegWCjdrNOskWSvOF4opnvKpofkXOjAKrtEaZeFeVnSSYIp1sta37rAU56xadCFBJgRpoPi15kzKGE6wS2UDpszGeG0SOVMLpE_kf3yWJu-095QVVy6VKhU/s640/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Motorcycles parked on Reeder's Main Street. The motorcyclists are in the bar across the street. US 12 once passed within a few hundred feet of these buildings. </div>
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Reeder's current population is 162. It was founded in 1908 and named after a Milwaukee Railroad engineer. When its bank was built around 1910 or maybe 1920, the town had respective populations of 198 and 258. That doesn't seem like very many people to support a bank.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtFKdbZodP91DkxJ4o7g6PIgZwKdRpRFbrvQegFr79QgYaLYjgnWiMvq0rw-vOj2tpghIHfwiKQ__Hi1UoppjCe3lWVbxaRqBtgg10ahLy3QqIJxRkJ3JmUjJlAP0yNATaV1XIoJT/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtFKdbZodP91DkxJ4o7g6PIgZwKdRpRFbrvQegFr79QgYaLYjgnWiMvq0rw-vOj2tpghIHfwiKQ__Hi1UoppjCe3lWVbxaRqBtgg10ahLy3QqIJxRkJ3JmUjJlAP0yNATaV1XIoJT/s640/FullSizeRender+%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Former bank at the intersection of Main Street and the former route of US 12, </div>
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I wait out the rain for about 30 or 40 minutes and head on. I consider trying to push past Hettinger to Lemmon, SD so that tomorrow's destination of Mobridge isn't quite as daunting. I would also like to take advantage of a tailwind that is pushing me along nicely, but I dodged heavy rain twice today and did not want to push my luck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7bgIDBoo-rkRUst65QNfhBFVruz_wzo0EpZe15owf-lorYMe7EJL7zrLNiR09m07WZeQ6BnDsqPnJH7QnRZkkhyphenhyphensq7oqRgH2kzdDN3r8VzuzanIfah-YXaji9bkYfIGiL2eNAmyr/s1600/IMG_3332+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7bgIDBoo-rkRUst65QNfhBFVruz_wzo0EpZe15owf-lorYMe7EJL7zrLNiR09m07WZeQ6BnDsqPnJH7QnRZkkhyphenhyphensq7oqRgH2kzdDN3r8VzuzanIfah-YXaji9bkYfIGiL2eNAmyr/s1600/IMG_3332+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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More nice clouds, and some rain on the right. I decide to avoid that rain by ending my ride in Hettinger.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYPoK1gwkSxQ8NZS6dD1jkN6lAxIuzeFTjIzmxaAHFg-VQ0B16rl7awVPoNgz0Fby4DJlqSRwBJww2-3YLOWVebBU45O4js8Hfq4E2s_M6wij_OtYtL43xY-SrjSotxhjc1KUNgjV/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYPoK1gwkSxQ8NZS6dD1jkN6lAxIuzeFTjIzmxaAHFg-VQ0B16rl7awVPoNgz0Fby4DJlqSRwBJww2-3YLOWVebBU45O4js8Hfq4E2s_M6wij_OtYtL43xY-SrjSotxhjc1KUNgjV/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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Huge billowing cumulonimbus over Hettinger.</div>
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