Land of Hospitality

We'll remember the stretch from New Ulm, MN to Valparaiso, IN as long (we had seven days without a rest, including two centuries), but as among the most hospitable. I may leave someone out, so please forgive me if I overlook a contribution made by family and friends of riders. In Owatunna, MN, we stayed at the fairgrounds and were greeted by Vern's wife and extended family with their trunk full of pies. Terrific! Then we had Liz and Ane's families with a glorious water stop (picture below) with rhubarb pie, rhubarb crisp, rhubarb cake, etc. Very festive under a striped tent. Then we had a family that has been touched by lung disease that has set up a wonderful water stop outside Dakota, MN. Finally, although we missed it (Bill because he was out in front of the stop and Kathy because she missed a turn), David Lambert's family did a stop. These have made the long stretch much more tolerable. The rest day today is most welcome.

Bill is riding as he wants to - front, middle and rear as his fancy strikes him. If he rides with anyone on a consistent basis (and those who know Bill will know that he's not that predictable), he rides with Jeff Rich, a medical supply salesperson from Michigan. Jeff is not only quite a card, he's terrific at directing the loading of the gear truck. His picture is below. Along with the other riders, he has looked forward to the rest day to sleep, eat what he wants, do laundry, just relax.