Day 38, Itasca State Park, Park Rapids, MN - 79 miles

It's been great being able to share Minnesota's fantastic bike trails with friends.  Today's ride started right where we left off, on the Paul Bunyan Trail.  The cue sheet said to stay on the trail for 20 miles but I could see from a map that we could stay on it for 45 miles then meet up with the official route so that's what Mary and I did.  I am very glad we did as we had a lovely, flat, shaded ride with no traffic for most of the day.  When we finally rejoined the route, we were on a road with fairly low traffic but very wide, nice shoulders.  Seeing signs for Itasca State Park made me realize just how far we had ridden and what we had accomplished.  Not everyone rode every mile but we all did what we could or wanted to do.  Our riding styles were very different but at the end of the day, we sat down together as a family, telling stories about what we saw and did.  It's a great way to travel and a great bunch of people to travel with.

Headwaters

I had been to the headwaters before so I knew to expect the visitor's center and the crowds.  There was a group of women motorcyclists splashing in the water and taking group photos.  Shauna's dad and other family members met us with champagne to celebrate our arrival.  Seeing the joy on my fellow rider's faces, although not unexpected, was a treat.  The final leg of our journey was a six mile ride on Itasca's less than pristine trails from the headwaters to the Douglas Lodge.  We went as a pack, some having had more champagne than others, but we went slow and all arrived safely.

Our group

We had our closing banquet at the Douglas Lodge restaurant, which had its share of walleye and wild rice on the menu.  The five SAG drivers got up and gave their rendition of what a typical day was like from their point of view ("bye-bye-bye, drive-drive-drive, wait-wait-wait, stop-stop-stop, come-come-come, wash-wash-wash, eat-eat-eat, pee-pee-pee, wash-wash-wash, go-go-go") and the rider's point of view ("pump-pump-pump, ride-ride-ride, stop-stop-stop, wash-wash-wash, eat-eat-eat, drink-drink-drink, pee-pee-pee, wash-wash-wash, ride-ride-ride").  Carol told funny stories and talked logistics.  Barb Kassel, our sous-chef, did not sing, which was quite sad and unlike her.

My room was in a four-plex, where there were two very small beds very close to each other, and a common porch shared with some young men.  My roommate for the night was a rather, um, loud sleeper so I had the opportunity to go for a walk at 2am and enjoy the great outdoors.  I was sure I was being stalked by a coyote so I didn't stay out long.  No matter.  Breakfast the next day was a great buffet, and the 5 hour bus ride to the Minneapolis airport was spent with friends.

Abby on the bus

Pat, Penny and Carolyn spent the night at my house before catching their planes the next day.  Pam and I were lucky to have Bernadette and Yolande spend three extra days with us before we drove them to Duluth for the next leg of their journey.  While here they remarked that Minneapolis has more biking than Amsterdam, something I was very amazed and proud to hear.  Ever the gracious guests, Yolande even made a gift of her Holland-colored cap to me.

Empty chairs waiting for friends

Even with the route troubles I had during this trip, it was one of the best WomanTours has sponsored.  Because safety has to be number one on this type of adventure, I can't say I would ever travel with this company again.  But I have gained confidence in finding my own routes, made new friendships, and strengthened old ones.  Overall the trip was a success.