July 17th: Milaca, MN to Osceola, WI

Today’s special breakfast at Embers in Milaca, MN – Captain Crunch French Bread – Outstanding!

July 17^th Statistics – Milaca, MN to Osceola, WI:

• Today’s Biking Distance – 79.2 miles
• Today’s Average Speed – 14.9 mph
• Today’s Time In Saddle – 5.3 hours
• Today Ascent – 1,063 feet
• Total Trip Biking Days – 26
• Total Trip Biking Distance – 2.060.6 miles
• Total Trip Average Biking Distance/Day – 79.3 miles
• Total Trip Ascent – 58,101 feet

I decided to join the group for breakfast this morning because I : 1) got a lot of grief from family and friends from my last several posts for skipping breakfast, 2) didn’t want to be isolated from the group today because of the high threat of thunderstorms (it looked like rain at 7 am), and 3) was hungry – glad I did (see photo above).  The thick cloud cover kept the temperature and humidity down. Fortunately, I only had a couple of short and light showers today.  Forecast for tomorrow (another 80 mile ride) is same as today, but slightly cooler.

It appears we may have reached the 50% mark for total trip mileage today or will tomorrow.  I also rode into my 6th state today (Wisconsin).  We are going to be weaving between Minnesota and Wisconsin for several days until reach reach Iowa.  As I biked today, I started to see pine forest today and increasingly smell the aromas of country living (let your imagination run with that).

Great hotel (River Valley Inn & Suites) and dinner (shrimp and crab over pasta in garlic/oil sauce) next door at Tippy’s Canoe.

Mile 25: Dale and Doug at 1st SAG wagon stop today.

Mile 30: Post Office in Gandy, MN (population 100) targeted for closing.

Mile 42: Doug biking (and passing me) on a typical road today with Robert and Jim in the distance.

Mile 42: Nancy asked for a updated photo of me so here I am at a rest stop in Stark, MN wearing my yellow rain booties.

Mile 49: A historical marker in Sunrise, MN (population 88) for those of us 1) in the baby-boomer and our parent generations and 2) with Illinois experience.

Mile 58: Not a sign for “Center City Philadelphia” but for “Center CIty, MN”, population 628.

Mile 63: A scene from our ride today as we approach Wisconsin.

Mile 75: Crossing the St. Croix River into Osceola, WI.

Mile 75: Wisconsin – The 6th state I have visited on tour so far.

Historical Marker – Cascade Falls in Osceola, WI (see next photo).

Cascade Falls in Osceola, WI.

Interesting Site – Intelligent Nutrients Learning Retreat across from our hotel in Osceola, WI.

River Valley Inn & Suites – Lodging in Osceola, WI.

River Valley Inn and Suites interior.