 Typical gravel sections |
 At rest alongside their beloved river |
30/6/11, Palisade to Crosby, 67k, 36° fine southerly 15knots. Total 1237km
I awoke at 0500hrs, the bod said “hang on, I need some more time to regroup”. Finally got out of bed at 0630hrs. That ride yesterday was more taxing than that 200 last week. The frost cracks had taken their toll.
The mates of my companions from Itasca had probably already past this point, bet they had some stories, maybe even just escaping off the back of a hooked fish as it was about to be lifted into a boat, able,to continue their journey.My guys were having a good browse about but knew the river would never be to far away,till Memphis, not like on the Pual Bunyon Trail.
After packing I woke up Rich as arranged to see how his hand was, it was getting better, the paw paw had helped big time so I squeezed a dab on each finger as I did last night. Kalibs fishing trip was still a goer.
We said farewell, I gave him this address if he wished to visit it. Next stop was Kellys again. Coffees,hbs, bacon, scrambled eggs and orange juice, $10, best value and 3 coffees.
Kelly was there, she came over for a chat, like the woman at La Porte she had lovely eyes behind glasses and a kind of Casey Jones hat that suited her. We chatted about life and politics with people from another table. One of the guys names was Frank Murphy, for me easy to remember.
They gave me directions to get to The Great River Road, gravel was on the cards.
On my departure after the best brekky, Kelly so kindly presented me with a bag of wild rice. This will make a change from the pasta. I was hooked on her pastries and grabbed another 2, apple and cherry fillings.
The population of Palisade is 71.
This way of life is now becoming normal, I want for nothing and could easily pass an office employees presentation test on a daily basis. Yeah, I’m trying to keep spruced up when I can. It’s such a pleasure falling asleep being physically worn out having been more in touch with nature and its forces.
I am so appreciative of Lea to understand this need I have. The transition to this idyllic, healthy, simple way of life from the blueprint so to speak has been made all the more enjoyable thanks to Lea and her truly unconditional understanding of me. The boys took this decision in their stride. Both having learnt to expect the unexpected from their dad.
Anyway on occassions I will share these kind of thoughts. This morning when I arose I knew today was one of those days.
The Great River Road followed the river much of the way to Crosby. It was generally on my left side.
The road being close to the river on alluvium likely meant asphalt was not practical. About 14 miles of gravel was encountered with road crews working on the northern portion.
At times it was so spongy and loose, riding over a thick barley and vegetable soup was a fair comparison. Nearly lost it a couple of times.
The chain was by now becoming noisy. My oil was deep in a rear pannier, and an effort to retrieve, passing a property I spotted the owner and asked if he could help with a drop of oil. He said, “Come on in”. We applied a liberal dose, way to much but better than none. He had a prime ultra well maintained property on the river which he gave me a brief tour of. In winter the snow is up to my waist he went on to say, it’s kind of hard to come to terms with the adaptions one must make through winter with these conditions.
Cruising along on a tar stretch, 2 guys came alongside and yelled “Nigel” I didn’t recognize them.They had spent the night camping at Aitken and the kayak guys were there. They had mentioned me. They pulled over and explained they were old mates and 25 years ago paddled the MR. They were doing an anniversary run in a car. Andrew and Doug were from Ontario, they kindly gave me water and we had a good chat and laugh roadside.
By now the clouds were burning off and the silver stuff was on the rise. Any Idea of making Brainerd was quashed in the interest of self preservation. Crosby was a better proposition with regards to overnighting.
So I found the library where I am now. It is a welcome refuge from the heat. The bikes in here to so not subconscientiously thinking about it.
I camped at the local municipal camp ground on Lake Serpent, the whole place was booked out from tomorrow due to 4 July celebrations, camping is the recreation of choice up here for this weekend. A guy cruising about appeared to be in charge, he said I could set up on him, long as I flitted early.
It was so hot still at 1900hrs, the lake provided some relief. Camping here was like setting up a camp at the Park Holiday park.
After having set up, just sitting about looking at tomorrows possible plans a bunch of teenage kids came and joined me at the park bench. We were all cracking up comparing Aussie and US definitions. Our kids use alot of the same terms. They asked if i knew what a redneck was. They said their mum was a redneck. In all seriousness they are people from Sth Carolina, their mum was from there. They also checked the back of her neck when she fronted.
New to me was that a nerd knew the stuff but never acted on it while a geek also knowing it all, acted on it and was successful, nerds were also prone to carrying books. The kids said they were geeks.
Having a shower and still feeling ultra clammy I made a brew and hit the nest. It was the first night not needing the scrot. At 2200hrs it was still at least 28°.
The state government here are in shut down mode due to Democrats wanting to raise taxes and Republicans said no way. So all state parks are closed. So many displaced campers this weekend of celebration. Bloody typical.
I could be anywhere tomorrow night, though have been given info about small camp area south on MR out the beaten track.
I awoke at 0500hrs, the bod said “hang on, I need some more time to regroup”. Finally got out of bed at 0630hrs. That ride yesterday was more taxing than that 200 last week. The frost cracks had taken their toll.
The mates of my companions from Itasca had probably already past this point, bet they had some stories, maybe even just escaping off the back of a hooked fish as it was about to be lifted into a boat, able,to continue their journey.My guys were having a good browse about but knew the river would never be to far away,till Memphis, not like on the Pual Bunyon Trail.
After packing I woke up Rich as arranged to see how his hand was, it was getting better, the paw paw had helped big time so I squeezed a dab on each finger as I did last night. Kalibs fishing trip was still a goer.
We said farewell, I gave him this address if he wished to visit it. Next stop was Kellys again. Coffees,hbs, bacon, scrambled eggs and orange juice, $10, best value and 3 coffees.
Kelly was there, she came over for a chat, like the woman at La Porte she had lovely eyes behind glasses and a kind of Casey Jones hat that suited her. We chatted about life and politics with people from another table. One of the guys names was Frank Murphy, for me easy to remember.
They gave me directions to get to The Great River Road, gravel was on the cards.
On my departure after the best brekky, Kelly so kindly presented me with a bag of wild rice. This will make a change from the pasta. I was hooked on her pastries and grabbed another 2, apple and cherry fillings.
The population of Palisade is 71.
This way of life is now becoming normal, I want for nothing and could easily pass an office employees presentation test on a daily basis. Yeah, I’m trying to keep spruced up when I can. It’s such a pleasure falling asleep being physically worn out having been more in touch with nature and its forces.
I am so appreciative of Lea to understand this need I have. The transition to this idyllic, healthy, simple way of life from the blueprint so to speak has been made all the more enjoyable thanks to Lea and her truly unconditional understanding of me. The boys took this decision in their stride. Both having learnt to expect the unexpected from their dad.
Anyway on occassions I will share these kind of thoughts. This morning when I arose I knew today was one of those days.
The Great River Road followed the river much of the way to Crosby. It was generally on my left side.
The road being close to the river on alluvium likely meant asphalt was not practical. About 14 miles of gravel was encountered with road crews working on the northern portion.
At times it was so spongy and loose, riding over a thick barley and vegetable soup was a fair comparison. Nearly lost it a couple of times.
The chain was by now becoming noisy. My oil was deep in a rear pannier, and an effort to retrieve, passing a property I spotted the owner and asked if he could help with a drop of oil. He said, “Come on in”. We applied a liberal dose, way to much but better than none. He had a prime ultra well maintained property on the river which he gave me a brief tour of. In winter the snow is up to my waist he went on to say, it’s kind of hard to come to terms with the adaptions one must make through winter with these conditions.
Cruising along on a tar stretch, 2 guys came alongside and yelled “Nigel” I didn’t recognize them.They had spent the night camping at Aitken and the kayak guys were there. They had mentioned me. They pulled over and explained they were old mates and 25 years ago paddled the MR. They were doing an anniversary run in a car. Andrew and Doug were from Ontario, they kindly gave me water and we had a good chat and laugh roadside.
By now the clouds were burning off and the silver stuff was on the rise. Any Idea of making Brainerd was quashed in the interest of self preservation. Crosby was a better proposition with regards to overnighting.
So I found the library where I am now. It is a welcome refuge from the heat. The bikes in here to so not subconscientiously thinking about it.
I camped at the local municipal camp ground on Lake Serpent, the whole place was booked out from tomorrow due to 4 July celebrations, camping is the recreation of choice up here for this weekend. A guy cruising about appeared to be in charge, he said I could set up on him, long as I flitted early.
It was so hot still at 1900hrs, the lake provided some relief. Camping here was like setting up a camp at the Park Holiday park.
After having set up, just sitting about looking at tomorrows possible plans a bunch of teenage kids came and joined me at the park bench. We were all cracking up comparing Aussie and US definitions. Our kids use alot of the same terms. They asked if i knew what a redneck was. They said their mum was a redneck. In all seriousness they are people from Sth Carolina, their mum was from there. They also checked the back of her neck when she fronted.
New to me was that a nerd knew the stuff but never acted on it while a geek also knowing it all, acted on it and was successful, nerds were also prone to carrying books. The kids said they were geeks.
Having a shower and still feeling ultra clammy I made a brew and hit the nest. It was the first night not needing the scrot. At 2200hrs it was still at least 28°.
The state government here are in shut down mode due to Democrats wanting to raise taxes and Republicans said no way. So all state parks are closed. So many displaced campers this weekend of celebration. Bloody typical.
I could be anywhere tomorrow night, though have been given info about small camp area south on MR out the beaten track.
