Day 29 (Mon July18) Sioux Falls to Worthington, MN

We're all excited today about seeing a new state, Minnesota.   After 6 days in South Dakota, we are ready to cross the Minnesota State line, which we will do at about 25 miles into today's ride.   More on that in a minute.

First, let me say that we all enjoyed our day off.   It was a chance to do laundry, catch up on Blog Sites, get bikes fixed, and most important, get a massage.   We called ahead earlier this week and one of the top Sioux Falls massage folks (the Royal Table) agreed to open on Sunday for us.   So, Barry and I and many of the riders were able to get those sore muscles tuned up for the next stage.

I also want thank those of you who who are following along on this blog.   I really appreciate the great notes of support (and even condolences) that I have received.   It means a lot to hear from you.   While I have been a biker for years, this is the first extended bike trip I have made, so this is a pretty big undertaking (if you'll allow me to use that word), and your support and encouragement have lifted me up and on a few days, given me wings.  Thank you for this.

 My apologies if some of these pictures are redundant or getting a little boring.   The scenery across America is so beautiful that it is easy to take lots of shots of what appear to be the same thing.   For those who like people shots, these are hard to catch on a bike ride.   The riders tend to get spread out or fly by the photographer.   If you would like to see a little more variety in the pictures, tune in to Mike Munk's blog site:  "www.bamacyclist.com"    Mike Monk is our trip leader.   He posts a daily blog for each day's progress that includes some of the best photos of the day.   My sister Chris is following this site and enjoying it immensely.

So, here are some highlights of today's ride into Minnesota:

Leaving Sioux Falls early to beat the heat.   Meet Damien Dempster (famous rugby coach from Ireland) and Barry Lucas (world renowned surfer from Australia).   Barry is my riding partner, Damien is his roommate.   You can see other riders in the background getting their bikes ready for the day's ride as we depart the Comfort Inn in Sioux Falls.

Did you know Sioux Falls had a cathedral?   We shot a quick pic on the way out of town.

Here we are at Sioux Falls just east of the City of Sioux Falls.  Anne, Leslie and Damien ham it up for the camera

Sioux Falls on the Big Sioux River.  This was considered sacred ground to many Indian Tribes (Kansas, Lakota, Cheyenne, Omaha, etc) who inhabited this land before the railroads opened this up to settlement in 1857.  There are Indian burial grounds above the falls from that period.

Barry, Damien and ME at the Sioux Falls

Passing thru the Stockyards on the East Side of Sioux Falls.  This is the "Hog Unit" of the Sioux Falls Stockyard.   We could smell it for several miles as we approached.   Several whiffs of this will make a vegetarian out of you.

Barry and I arrive at the Minnesota State Line.  About 25 miles into today's ride, we crossed the Minnesota State Line.  This is exciting.....we started in Oregon, then after 8 days we entered Idaho, then Wyoming, then South Dakota, and now Minnesota.   Yes, we are slowly inching our way across country.

More bikers arrive at the state line.  Clockwise from upper left (Julie, Mary, Terry, Lucy, Blythe)

Are we glad to be in Minnesota or what!

Our first SAG stop.   It's already hot out there.   Everyone fills water bottles.

Beautiful Farmland in Minnesota (Soybeans with volunteer corn coming up)

Mary and Blythe in Corn (Lucy in back)

Field of Dreams (Bikers in the cornfield) (Clockwise from upper left Russell, ME, Blythe, Lucy, Mary)

The Second SAG stop at LaVerne City Park  (now it's really getting hot)

Lucy and Matt enjoying the seesaw (Matt seems to be winning)

Wind Turbines decorate the Minnesota Skyline.  It was great to see the widespread use of wind turbines in Minnesota.   Lot's of wind in Minnesota with prevailing breeze from the South, perfect for wind turbines.

Every town has a water tower.   Here is the one in Magnolia, MN

An old railroad bridge in the town of Magnolia

Bikers passing us on the bridge.  We are getting close to Worthington, MN (our destination).   All the cyclists are getting barn fever.

The rural water tower supplies water (and water pressure) to all the farms.  Here is a newfangled water tower on the outskirts of Worthington.   We had watched this in the distance for several miles and decided we had to see it up close.

RAP (discussing the next day's ride).  Here we are in our Super 8 Lodging learning about tomorrow's ride.   It was hot today with temperatures in the mid nineties.   Tomorrow will be the same, maybe a little hotter.   Tomorrow's ride to Mankato is also 104 miles, more than a century ride.   Looks like we will have an early start to once again beat the heat.  

More tomorrow....

Need to get some sleep tonight for tomorrow will be a long day.....

Love to All

ME