Day 37

Minneapolis,MN - Amery,WI (77 miles)

After a relaxing day and a half in Minneapolis it was time to get back on the road. Today we made it into Wisconsin!

Our ride was a good mix of farm fields, pastures and lakes. Northern Wisconsin looks a lot like Minnesota, but upon entering Wisconsin we could tell it would not be as bike friendly. The shoulder on the county roads disappeared and the drivers are slightly less careful. But that being said, Wisconsin is still pretty good.  And the people we have met are just as nice!

Tonight in Amery we had two different people offer to assist us. The first was a shower and place to stay, which we declined since we had just sat down to pizza.  We had also gotten into town late and we were worried about having to ride another 7 miles before it got dark. In hindsight, we should have gotten the pizza to go and hoped on our bikes, but everything worked out in the end.

Our second offer of assistance occurred right when we really needed it. After we ate we started looking for a place to stay. Generally we can call the police and ask then if we can stay in a park. Generally it works out. Not in Amery.  We were told the closest place to camp was 7 miles north in a county park. Crap, the sun was quickly setting and we definitely were not going to make it there before it was completely dark.  This is where Glen comes in. Glen and his wife had heard us talking about maybe camping in the park while we were still in the restaurant, and decided to come check on us. We told them that the police had told us we could camp in the county park north of town and this is when Glen offered to drive us up in his truck. Thank God! I'm not sure what we would have done.

Everyday we have been amazed at the kindness of strangers.  I think the kindness and generosity we have received has been the most incredible part of our journey.