74 miles. All but a few on the Lake Wobegon bike trail.

I was never a big fan of The Prairie Home Companion but if the legacy is this bike path (another rail to trail initiative) then that’s OK by me. Most of the route had been fairly recently resurfaced so the going was very smooth. The wind was against us but since the bike path is sheltered we made good time.

Bonnie had sent us off with a good breakfast, lunch sandwiches and cookies! We stopped for lunch at the picnic tables of a community center in St. Joseph and there was a family sitting at another bench with an extension cord plugged into the exterior outlet charging their cell phones so we felt the center was an active hub in the community!

I don’t think this tandem is going anywhere soon.

The path ends on the southern side of St. Joseph and we had another 7 miles to go back on a busy 4 lane road.  We clearly had grown accustomed to the peace and quiet of the paths because the truck noise was unnerving.  Certainly we had experienced worse conditions on the small roads in Montana and North Dakota but the contrast between the smooth sailing of the last two days with the sudden immersion into traffic unsettled us… but we pushed on.

This poor old thing had been worked hard in its day and now left to rust. We’ve seen many relics like this tucked away in the corners of fields.

John and Susan were our warm showers hosts and they welcomed us in. After showers and re cycling we had a great dinner of “American Bento Box.” Susan helps a friend whose restaurant is selling her version of the bento box with rice, quinoa, chicken, red meat, veggies, freshly chopped ginger all topped with various sauces. Our meal was essentially leftovers from the weekly market the night before so it may have been the best and most nutritious free meal we’ve had.

Two paths leading into an infinite future!!