Walker to Park Rapids 57k arrival 1630hrs Total 608k
The forecast for today was for rain and ordinariness, it was blowing as I arose about 0630hrs. Upon scanning the visible horizon, I made the decision to get things packed while it was dry. The wind had suppressed the ability of dew to form. Great, things were dry.
Cooking was not on, the omnifuel stove, although supplied with a wind shelter does not perform at its best in strong winds. The meat I bought will keep.
I was almost packed when Brad swung by and asked me to come Walleye fishing. Hey, I had no appointments, why not.
So breakfast consisted of one apple, a shot of tequila, a couple of beers and a great time, all be it wet fishing on Leech Lake.
We caught a couple of Walleye, got one 21 incher but regs here, very sensible, have an upper size limit. So that fish got to swim again. The other fish which I might add Todd was mighty proud of was kept. It would have made the average whiting look big. Anyway we talked a bit of the proverbial. Things got quiet so we abandoned the notion of fish for brunch.
Back at the cabin Suzanne had brekky under way. This sausage, much like cherizo was in the pan. A sample found favour with my taste buds, its was subtly spiced and unlike cherizo, it was not fatty, made with venison from a deer Brad had bagged and had butchered.
Meanwhile Todd was preparing Bloody Marys, one of which I was nearly talked into having. So the sausage was accompanied by ultra thin home cooked pancakes, topped with maple syrup at our liesure. How good was this?
By now it was 1400hrs I really wanted to get to Backus, some 30 miles down the trail.
I got away following exchange of cards and email addresses. We will be catching up again in Minneapolis.
By now it’s steady rain, gotta keep moving, its the best way to keep warm. On arrival in Walker caught up briefly with the crew, then pulled in for a much needed coffee, four infact. You pay $1.20 and it’s bottomless.
Back on the trail, still wet I started passing very small towns I couldn’t recall in the book. I thought nothing of it and didn’t want to get the map out due to the rain making it part at the folds. The riding was great, I would stop for an orange and some trail mix every 10k.
I arrived in this fairly big town about 1800hrs only to be greeted by a Burger King store. Being wet and cold I succumbed, and ordered what you do in these places.
I asked one of the girls how far Backus was ,she scratched her head. Then a young bloke cleaning, upon my asking said the town was Park Rapids. I had left Walker heading west instead of south, the compass was in a pannier. Bloody hell, one night on the swarnarama and my nav skills turn to shit!!
Ironical though, as Ken had offered to drive me here for a look. So right now I’m in the local Super 8 motel drying my gear out. Their sign displayed a temp of 58°F
The woman at reception informed me that this is a premier cycling area with trails like the Pual Bunyan everywhere. There are alot of cyclists at the motel. Not self supported though.
This is an opportunity to see some agricultural persuits of rural Minnesota tomorrow. The woods are now giving way to farming, with a sizeable paddock of 100mm high corn and a large dairy unit passed today.
If you are in this neck of the woods I highly recommend Woodland Resort, kabekona Bay, Leech Lake, Walker, MN, email: [email protected]
The forecast for today was for rain and ordinariness, it was blowing as I arose about 0630hrs. Upon scanning the visible horizon, I made the decision to get things packed while it was dry. The wind had suppressed the ability of dew to form. Great, things were dry.
Cooking was not on, the omnifuel stove, although supplied with a wind shelter does not perform at its best in strong winds. The meat I bought will keep.
I was almost packed when Brad swung by and asked me to come Walleye fishing. Hey, I had no appointments, why not.
So breakfast consisted of one apple, a shot of tequila, a couple of beers and a great time, all be it wet fishing on Leech Lake.
We caught a couple of Walleye, got one 21 incher but regs here, very sensible, have an upper size limit. So that fish got to swim again. The other fish which I might add Todd was mighty proud of was kept. It would have made the average whiting look big. Anyway we talked a bit of the proverbial. Things got quiet so we abandoned the notion of fish for brunch.
Back at the cabin Suzanne had brekky under way. This sausage, much like cherizo was in the pan. A sample found favour with my taste buds, its was subtly spiced and unlike cherizo, it was not fatty, made with venison from a deer Brad had bagged and had butchered.
Meanwhile Todd was preparing Bloody Marys, one of which I was nearly talked into having. So the sausage was accompanied by ultra thin home cooked pancakes, topped with maple syrup at our liesure. How good was this?
By now it was 1400hrs I really wanted to get to Backus, some 30 miles down the trail.
I got away following exchange of cards and email addresses. We will be catching up again in Minneapolis.
By now it’s steady rain, gotta keep moving, its the best way to keep warm. On arrival in Walker caught up briefly with the crew, then pulled in for a much needed coffee, four infact. You pay $1.20 and it’s bottomless.
Back on the trail, still wet I started passing very small towns I couldn’t recall in the book. I thought nothing of it and didn’t want to get the map out due to the rain making it part at the folds. The riding was great, I would stop for an orange and some trail mix every 10k.
I arrived in this fairly big town about 1800hrs only to be greeted by a Burger King store. Being wet and cold I succumbed, and ordered what you do in these places.
I asked one of the girls how far Backus was ,she scratched her head. Then a young bloke cleaning, upon my asking said the town was Park Rapids. I had left Walker heading west instead of south, the compass was in a pannier. Bloody hell, one night on the swarnarama and my nav skills turn to shit!!
Ironical though, as Ken had offered to drive me here for a look. So right now I’m in the local Super 8 motel drying my gear out. Their sign displayed a temp of 58°F
The woman at reception informed me that this is a premier cycling area with trails like the Pual Bunyan everywhere. There are alot of cyclists at the motel. Not self supported though.
This is an opportunity to see some agricultural persuits of rural Minnesota tomorrow. The woods are now giving way to farming, with a sizeable paddock of 100mm high corn and a large dairy unit passed today.
If you are in this neck of the woods I highly recommend Woodland Resort, kabekona Bay, Leech Lake, Walker, MN, email: [email protected]