Just the Basics: Note on 8/7/10: We have updated a bit, and added photos!
It's been a long day- we may add photos and a few more comments later!
50 miles, almost all on U.S. 61. Mostly a pretty good ride, with some 500 feet of climbing - we started out with 2 miles on a wide, shady back street in Lake City, then onto U.S. 61 with very wide shoulders, not too much heat and frequent shade. We rode through primarily rural countryside - mostly forest or meadows, with a few fields. To our right rose high, forested bluffs, to our left, generally the Mississippi itself or wide river valley.
We continued to see lots of Queen Anne's Lace, goldenrod, birds foot trefoil, milkweed, butter and eggs - and blue asters.
The last 8 miles into Winona and a bit beyond to our motel were not so pleasant. Major road construction, a fair amount of wandering around trying to find alternatives, some walking, a mile or so on impossibly rough shoulder, a climb up a bank so steep we had to take our rear panniers off and Riley had to take Becky's bike part way . . . . ahh, travel!
We had a nice dinner at The Green Mill restaurant which shares a site with our hotel. We shared a generous appetizer of toasted pita chips and delicious hummus with jalapenos while sipping Old Fashioneds made to order, and then shared a lovely Bangkok Chicken Salad with tender pulled chicken, lots of crunchy veggies and a delicious spicy peanut dressing - very relaxing at the end of a long day.
It's been a long day- we may add photos and a few more comments later!
50 miles, almost all on U.S. 61. Mostly a pretty good ride, with some 500 feet of climbing - we started out with 2 miles on a wide, shady back street in Lake City, then onto U.S. 61 with very wide shoulders, not too much heat and frequent shade. We rode through primarily rural countryside - mostly forest or meadows, with a few fields. To our right rose high, forested bluffs, to our left, generally the Mississippi itself or wide river valley.
We continued to see lots of Queen Anne's Lace, goldenrod, birds foot trefoil, milkweed, butter and eggs - and blue asters.
The last 8 miles into Winona and a bit beyond to our motel were not so pleasant. Major road construction, a fair amount of wandering around trying to find alternatives, some walking, a mile or so on impossibly rough shoulder, a climb up a bank so steep we had to take our rear panniers off and Riley had to take Becky's bike part way . . . . ahh, travel!
We had a nice dinner at The Green Mill restaurant which shares a site with our hotel. We shared a generous appetizer of toasted pita chips and delicious hummus with jalapenos while sipping Old Fashioneds made to order, and then shared a lovely Bangkok Chicken Salad with tender pulled chicken, lots of crunchy veggies and a delicious spicy peanut dressing - very relaxing at the end of a long day.
Today's Photos: (1) A view of the Mississippi from a roadside outlook along U.S. 61; (2) A patch of Queen Anne's Lace by the road
Tomorrow: Riley has been coming down with a cold and it is now here in earnest. We will go only 23-26 miles, depending on whether we stop in La Crescent, MN or La Crosse, WI. Our current plan is to then take a layover day to hasten Riley's recovery.
Tomorrow: Riley has been coming down with a cold and it is now here in earnest. We will go only 23-26 miles, depending on whether we stop in La Crescent, MN or La Crosse, WI. Our current plan is to then take a layover day to hasten Riley's recovery.
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