Day 28

Expecting rains of biblical proportions, I made sure I enjoyed my evening of peace last night by the river.

And it was good. Tent is really starting to feel like home.

A bit of luck this morning. Woke up to the sound of a chorus of unfamiliar birds, and not raindrops outside. The clouds had moved in but the air was warm. I packed up my riverside camp  (the Namekagon River, I learned) in a hurry before the rain came. This is the most crucial time in keeping things dry. I'm water-proofed while riding and when in camp, it's just the inbetween when stuff in exposed.

Just as I was pulling out I felt a few light drops. Perhaps 8 miles later the light drops became more frequent. Still not enough to warrant the full rain suit (it gets terribly hot in there, especially with it being in the high 60's out).

A lady pulled over while I was looking at the map, and says "Have you heard of warmshowers!?" With people doing that, they'll never need to do advertising. She just wanted to make sure I knew and had a place to stay. I did, but thanks anyway, Jody.

I got off the main highway, and onto a smaller county road, which I was on for the rest of the day. It was then the rain really started. I was soaked to the bone within minutes. It really isn't bad until your socks get wet. Then it's all over. Those puppies won't be dry until the next morning.

I thought I was really in for it when the pavement stopped. I was walking my bike (in the height of the rain at this point) but just over the next hill it began again. Phew...

Pavement so smooth and covered in water it was like riding on the surface of a glassy pond. The reflections on the road were so clear I hardly needed to look up from under my hood.

Stopped to eat some of my celery and peanut butter under the cover of the gas station/bait shop/everything else because it's the only store in town shop in Edgewater. Always forget to drink water when it's raining.

Emerged from the thickest of the forest into more fields around 1pm. Still windy out here. Rain finally pedered out though, just a careless drop here and there.

Saw a sign I could get down with while making a right turn on county road V.

I'm right with you on that one, bud. Wisconsin won some bonus points with me for that.

Came into Haugen around 2 and stopped in the Village Grocery, advertising its produce, drugs, and antiques. Almost ran over the owner man as I pulled in (he was headed for the Post Office next door). He says "go right in I'll be back in a minute". He was gone for 10 or more and I could hear him chatting next door with the post man.

Found this pin in a basket with others like it from different years. Looks like a fun festival. Every town around here is the capital of something. Sometimes I feel obliged to get something when I stop at a store to take cover from the rain, or if the owner is nice. It was a dollar, and as I paid I asked the man if they still hold the festival and if it's a good time. He says "Every year. If someone don't like it, well it ain't my problem." Seemed reasonable enough.

After Haugen I it was only 16 or so miles to Cumberland. I made it ten and stopped for a break by the side of a lake.

Upon leaving for the home stretch, I noticed my back tire had gone flat. A slow leak though, and I thought I might be able to make it. I gave it a good pump with my portable pump, and again another mile or two before pumping again. Slow going, but it worked.

Made it to my hosts, Michael and Paula's house on the Northside of town just before the thunder came in. Apparently the area was under a tornado watch... Real nice folks with a cozy home. Both teachers at the local school- high school English and kindergarten. They treated me to a Cumberland specialty; cheese and raisin ravioli. Apparently the city is known as the highest concentration of Italians in any rural town in America. At one point they came to help build the railroad and then stayed. An outlier from the overwhelming Scandinavian and Northern European blood in the rest of the state. In fact I saw the first church that was Catholic and not Lutheran in a while.

Then the usual routine, clean bike, clean clothes, then clean me. Minneapolis feels within reach. Another day or two to the big city.