Friday, 20 July 2012
Bismarck to Fargo, North Dakota
In four hot days we biked from Bismarck to Fargo...about 250 miles, 3 nights camping, no showers! But we had a lot of fun; seems like we have developed our rythem. We rolled into Fargo yesterday afternoon and experienced a new lodging option: a "warm showers" host! The savy women we have been traveling with are members of the warm showers organization...and now we are, too. So, we offer to host bicycle travelers in our home (when we get back)and in exchange, we can stay at others' homes...if they are available.
Last night was awesome. First, there was the big grocery store. It is difficult to overstate how exciting big, air conditioned grocery stores are. Next, our host rolls up on an extracycle and says you must be the folks who are staying at my house tonight. On request, he recommended a Mexican restaurant (one block away & excellent). Then we ride to his house and soak our feet in the pool while visiting with his wife. After showers, laundry, and discussion of route options, and more snacking, we all (the 4 of us, not the hosts) sleep on the floor in air conditioned comfort.
This morning they made coffee and pancakes and we were on the road by 7...fat and happy.
As for those route options...as some of you know we have a wedding to go to in Denver on August 11 (I think). Our plan is to get close to Chicago, prevail on Nancy's cousin, generous John, to pick us up, and then we are going to take the TRAIN from Chicago to Denver!!! How fun is that?!? We are now thinking we will ride from here to Minneapolis (we have the maps for that) and then strike out across Wisconson heading for Madison. Our host of last night lent us some old Wisconson bike maps, so hey, lets have an adventure!
This morning we crossed the Red River and left North Dakota and are now in Minnesota...in the small town of Pelican Rapids, camping in the city park. This campground has showers!
We really liked North Dakota...amoung other surprises, there are a lot of wetlands and, hense, a lot of birds!
'til next time,
Keep on rolling!
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Gee you guys are really making good time! I'm glad the bike tire problem was resolved. I started orientation last week. The Spokane VA is a lot more organized than Anchorage, and certainly better staffed. I think I'll be happy here. It's been sunny every day and after about 10 days in the 90's, it's now 70's-80's and really nice. I get the keys to the house on Friday but it will still be several weeks before our stuff gets here, so I'll be in the apartment for a little while longer.
ReplyDeleteHappy pedaling!