July 12
Thursday, July 12 Chamberlain, S.D.
to Mitchell, S.D. 71 miles
Hooray! What a great day! We got a much needed break today from the high winds, hills and
heat. It was pretty cloudy all day and
the cross wind was not too bad and it was about 15 degrees cooler. A very enjoyable easy ride of 71 miles. For me, the day was one of feeling I was in
familiar territory and a day of recalling my days growing up just north of here
in Southeastern North Dakota. I passed
things today that reminded me most of the Dakota’s. Saw the well groomed farm yards, the crops were familiar
too. Field corn, soy beans, hay and
small grains. It sure looked like home to me, when I saw the big poultry
barns. The long chicken and turkey
barns just like dad had on his land around Wahpeton, N.D. I thought often of my father-in-law, Andy,
many times today when we were sheltered from the wind by the tree shelter
belts. He spent many years working for
the soil conservation district planting thousands of trees that grow up and
become these shelter belts. We traveled
very quiet country roads, old highways.
I came right through the small towns of White Lake and Plankington and
knew these were the places that Paul’s maternal grandparents, uncles and aunts once lived. I saw something else that looked so
familiar to me. Coming in to the edge
of town was a big International Harvester implement dealer with all the huge
farming equipment sitting outdoors on display.
It reminded me of my home town.
It was such a nice
ride with the winds much calmer, I could enjoy looking around and as we rolled
along we visited more with each other.
It wasn’t so mentally and physically demanding today.
Mitchell is known
for the Corn Palace. Several from the
group went over there to see it. On the
outside is motifs of different corn. The
birds come to feed on the corn.
It sure has worked
out well rooming with my two nice roommates.
Nancy G. from Illinois, a librarian, has been my roommate from the
beginning. After Lee S. left us in
Boise, Idaho, Christine from Connecticut, a school counselor, joined us and the
three of us will be together to the finish.
Our rooms have been adequate.
Even with two pieces of luggage and a bicycle with each of us, we don’t
seem to be bumping into each other.
Really, we are in these rooms such a short time each day/evening and we
don’t care where our head touches the pillow.
It has been fun
watching the change in Will. He is the
youngest rider. He is 15 years old and
is with his dad on this ride across the country. He has opened up so much and is always smiling and now he can
really peel off the miles in good time. What an experience for this teenager to
see the USA and part of Canada like this.
This will certainly make geography and US history classes far more interesting
when he gets back in school.
I visited a medical
place this afternoon to have the saddle sore examined. I’ve been doing the right thing using
Neosporin. It is healing now and was
not uncomfortable today. Glad it isn’t
infected. Saddle sores are the number
one cause of stopping a biker from riding.
There are a couple of riders right now that have had to take a few days
off to heal.
Since I got in so
early today, I rode around town and went to the public library. Thanks everyone for your e-mails. They mean a lot to me.
We are all looking forward to a short 70 mile ride tomorrow and
then a rest day. We are headed to Sioux
Falls.
As I was riding
along today, I thought how fun it is to get up every day and get on my
bicycle. We all love to ride, no matter
what the day brings. If it is a
difficult day, with nature throwing curve balls at us, we still manage to pedal
on through to the end. Then we have
great stories to share at dinner hour.
Paul:
I called Mon & Dad tonight.
They were really concerned about me.
I asked if they have been reading the journal. Dad says he can’t get it.
Maybe if you e-mailed him the URL and ask him to try and “click” on it,
maybe he can bring it up. Tell him to
click on the “My ride journal” and then click on the “date”.