Day 35, Little Falls, MN - 85 miles

We have been so lucky with the weather and our luck continued today.  The forecast was for light winds at our backs and partly cloudy skies with highs in the lower 80s.  For the most part that is what we got except the cloud cover was even more until afternoon, keeping the temperatures nice and cool for most of the day.

Our route is partly along the Adventure Cycling Northern Tier route which guides bikers across the northern states from Washington to Maine.  Local residents are used to seeing bikers but one farmer has gone above the call of duty: he has build a bunkhouse for bikers. Just outside of Dalbo, MN, Donn Olson converted his old dairy barn into a shelter, and quite a luxurious one, for bikers to spend a night or two.   He has a solar shower, sells dirt cheap snacks, and provides coffee, TV and WiFi.  He does it because he loves hearing rider's stories and being kind.

Adventure Cycling Bunkhouse

We continued along the country roads past more Gold'n Plump chicken houses than I knew existed.  At mile 65 or so, I was getting pretty tired so my riding companion, Mary D, and I stopped at the Ramey general store for a restful drink then continued on.  My energy returned and we pulled into Little Falls by about 2pm.  Because we are such a large group, we are split into two hotels about a half a mile apart.  Unfortunately my luggage was in one hotel and I was booked in the other.  Carol, our ever working guide, was kind enough to walk my luggage to the other hotel for me.

Dinner, made by Lynne, was shrimp curry with local cherry pie for dessert.  Tomorrow is a rest day and, although there isn't a lot to do in Little Falls, I am looking forward to it.