Ride for Water 2012

Day 42 – July 15 – Dyersville, IA to Lowden, IA – 59 Miles

After the long day yesterday we slept in and got our latest start of the trip. It was approaching 1:00 in the afternoon before we got on the road. Our goal was Lowden, IA a stop within 40 miles of Muscatine. The day was not...

Day 41 – July 14 – Lansing, IA to Dyersville, IA – 100 Miles

What an interesting day! We woke to wet tents from overnight rains. We could hear thunder nearby but it was not raining at camp. We had an ambitious goal today, Dyersville, IA at 100 miles. Dyersville would put us in a position to cross into...

Day 40 – July 13 – Winona, MN to Lansing, IA – 73 Miles

It was another slow start today. My alarm went off at 6:00 and I was in the shower shortly after, however when I returned to camp the predicted rain showers had arrived. I got back into the tent and checked the weather radar on my...

Day 39 – July 12 – Red Wing, MN to Winona, MN – 70 Miles

We got bit of a late start today in terms of beating the heat. It was already quite warm by our 8:30 departure. We followed the Great River Road south out of Red Wing. It follows the river as well as the Canadian Pacific Railroad. ...

Day 38 – July 11 – Crystal, MN to Red Wing, MN – 76 Miles

Sometimes it is amazing how we lose track of time and days. It is Wednesday already! We were out of bed by 6:00 and said goodbye to Christina, Anna and William as they headed off to work and daycare. We packed up and were on the...

Day 37 – July 10 – Rest Day – Crystal, MN

We took a much needed rest day at the home of Matt and Christina. Sleeping in and a very lazy day felt good. Joe made some progress on his summer homework, I walked to the nearby Cub Foods to pick up a few things we...

Day 36 – July 9 – Dalbo, MN to Crystal, MN- 63 Miles

We rose about 7:00 and helped ourselves to breakfast at the Bunkhouse. Nick Matteson and Dave Jelsma, the other cyclists sharing the bunkhouse, were headed toward Minneapolis, St. Paul area as well. Donn Olsen gave us tips and route information for getting to our different...

Day 35 – July 8 – Sauk Centre, MN – to Dalbo, MN – 90 Miles

The trip to Dalbo, MN has been anticipated for several months. My daughter Meg learned about the Bicycle Bunkhouse in Dalbo during her trip to Argentina last January. Owner Donn Olsen, has converted an old dairy barn on his farm near Dalbo, to a cyclist...

Day 34 – July 7 – Fergus Falls, MN to Sauk Centre, MN – 76 Miles

We slept in a little, took our time getting ready and made our way to our destination in a stress free manner. That is how we looked at the opportunity to make our mileage on a rail trail. The state of Minnesota has done an...

Day 33 – July 6 – Fargo, ND to Fergus Falls, MN – 86 Miles

Change was the theme for the day. We awoke to the patter of rain outside at the home of Connie Hanson in West Fargo, ND. A look at the weather radar showed a sizeable storm over the area moving to the northeast. To the southeast,...