To boldly go where I have not

Sunday 5/27 Day 37

Getting good with the camera

As I read the clock this morning it read six AM. I was thrilled I got up early to make up some lost ground, then there it was like a freight train, the wind. It sounded faster than the day before. I was already resigning from the day and opting to hide in my sleeping bag. Another one of those moments where I assumed rather than found out what was really going on. It turns out two hours later I found out that the wind was coming from the south wast, got me up pretty quick. A wind this strong at my back on flat ground could do wonders! After I packed up and had some breakfast In front of a Subway I hit the road. In about two hours I had gone about 40 miles to Brookings SD. I stopped at Subway at lunch with a huge smile on my face. This was going to be a big day.

Lakes!

At Subway I found a new way to add calories to the sandwich, I call it the calorie bomb. I ask the creators to add mayonnaise, Italian dressing, and ranch to the sandwich. A little clash in flavors but it was worth it. That sandwich lasted almost 60 miles! I also created a great beverage. Water, ice, and a splash of the soda machine's lemonade. Oh it's so good. Well anyways after about ten minutes of eating I was off on my way with similar results as before.

Lake State

It was so flat! I did not realize Minnesota was this flat in the south. But by six PM I was already at 110 miles for the day and still feeling strong. I was about 30 miles from the city Springfield and the park I wanted to stay at for the night so I made the push. For most of the day the humidity was dropping and the temperature was rising. It got pretty warm throughout the day, so I was constantly looking for ice. The last part of the day was really fun, I was riding away from a thunderstorm, well it was coming up behind me fast. There were lightning strikes all around me with the thunder pounding hard. I was able to get to town with little to no rain on me. I found the camp ground than looked up at the sky and saw the dark rain clouds and said no way. I took my bike across the street where I slept under the park shelter. It was a good thing I made the switch because no more than ten minutes later the storm was upon me. It looked as if there was a waterfall coming down from the sky and the lightning was right on top of me. It was spectacular. So I was able to camp without the tent again!!

Sweet clouds at the end of the day

Works really nice in the humid weather. Oh one thing that I rediscovered once crossing into Minnesota today were the mosquitoes. They got me a few times on well. It was an amazing day, I really was not even that tired after it. Had a perfect combination of wind and flatness. And I also surpassed my goal of 130 miles in one day. I have been pushing myself pretty hard the last week but I will be slowing down once I get to the upper peninsula. There is something about feeling accomplished that keeps me looking for new ways to challenge my self.