Day 31 (Weds, July 20th) Mankato to Rochester, MN (100 miles)

Today was our 4th day in a row over 90 degrees.   If you've been reading about the midwest heat wave, well, were cycling through it.   We took extra water, put ice in our helmets, stopped in the shade, went in to Dairy Queen, all the things we do to cool off.   We did our best to make it a good day in spite of the weather.   In the end, we made it in to lodging at the Clarion Inn in Rochester, MN. wilted and tired.   It's the 4H blues, Heat, Humidity, Hills, and Headwinds.   We got all 4 of them today.

Rochester, MN, is the home of the world famous Mayo clinic.   If it had been much hotter, several of us might have checked in on our way into town (at least we were joking about it)

Here are some pictures from today:


Here we are checking out the big Green and Yellow John Deere Tractor's as we leave Mankato.


Flags flying as we leave Mankato (looks like a good tailwind for today's ride).   It would later turn into a headwind, making this one of the longer and tougher days.


We pass Loon Lake - Check out Barry's Yellow wheels and outfit (matches the seaweed in the lake)
Minnesota's nickname is the "Land of 10,000 lakes".   It actually turns out there are a lot more than 10,000 lakes.   Most of them are in Northern Minnesota.   Loon lake is just East of Mankato.   As the day gets hot, Barry and I are talking about a swim.   This is as good a place as any.


The beautiful Corpus Cristi Church decorates a country road


We spot a MacDonald's at noon (time for a mango-pinapple smoothie)


Strong Wind today - you can almost see it the wind blowing silver across the soybeans!


A Case Tractor at work mowing the aprons.  Most people in these parts prefer John Deere Tractors, but you gotta admit these big red Case tractors are pretty awesome!


Swaths of Alfalfa decorate the Minnesota landscape!  While I was taking this picture, a farmer pulled up in his car and asked if I was OK.   He said that no one should be out in this heat taking pictures of hayfields.   I agreed with him.


The Black Rocket parked against a mural at our Second SAG stop  (In the town of Casey, MN)


Here is the town itself (see the water tower - not unlike the mural)


Very prosperous farms in Southern Minnesota


Here is a modern silo (in Blue) next to the old style cinderblock silo on this dairy farm


Finding a spot of shade


As we enter Rochester, here is the Zumbro River


And here is the bike trail along the Zumbro River


Here's a view of Rochester from the bike trail


After 100 miles in 95 degree heat, here we are in Rochester, MN,

We have now travelled 2,301 miles and crossed thru 5 states (Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, and now Minnesota.   While we have seen great scenery in all of the states, Minnesota may have the most richest looking farmland and very prosperous, healthy looking farms.   Ironically, Southern Minnesota has the  worst looking roads, full of potholes, washboards, cracks, and peels.   We need to get that Minnesota governor to fix these roads

Tomorrow is a milestone day.   We will cross the Mississippi River into Wisconsin at La Crosse.   We are all looking forward to a new state.

More Later,

Love to All, 

ME