Day 34 - Our Final Day in the Wonderful State of Wisconsin: Cumberland, WI to Osceola, WI

Today was our final day in Wisconsin. We've been riding in WI since Friday a week ago after getting off the S.S.Badger (10days). It is a fond farewell as we have really enjoyed the roads here - although we've been riding big rollers for the last 4 or 5 days.

We're staying in Osceola, WI tonight in a very nice B & B (The St Croix River Inn) to give Martha a little well deserved pampering. The Inn overlooks the St Croix River which separates Wi and MN. Our room overlooks the river.  We had a fabulous dinner here at the Inn.  Enjoyed the company of a couple from MN here to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary.  I really needed some pampering and this was just the ticket!  I would love to stay another day! The weather was the hottest its been so far on our trip. It hit 90 degrees and the humidity came up as well. We could actually see perspiration on our arms. Of course, at home, we'd look like we were dipped in the river. Riding into Minneapolis/St Paul tomorrow. We're considering a rest day or two and maybe some other changes as well. Not certain right now. Will advise later.  

We ran into another cross country rider this a.m. The first one we've seen in several days after running into half a dozen in one day. This is Dave. He's ridden solo from San Francisco and heading to Long Island, NY. He's a camper. Said the mosquitoes were so bad last night that he just crawled into his tent, ate a power bar for supper and went to sleep. That made some of the more modest motels we've stayed in seem all the nicer.

 

Our new BFFs CeeCee and Hailey, business entrepreneurs. Stopped at their lemonade stand and enjoyed a very refreshing beverage. Thank you girls.

 

Self portrait from the road today.

 

Our room tonight overlooks the St Croix River. That's Minnesota in the background. MN will be our 8th state. We'll cross the St Croix first thing in the morning.

     

 

Day 33 - We Could Barely Stand It !!: Hayward, WI to Cumberland, WI

The Big News! We finally spotted a bear! Probably 200 lbs and just loping along in an open field parallel with our road. He must have run along side us for 200/300 yards. Finally, he crossed the road not 50 feet in front of us. This was in the middle of the day. Something must have spooked him from his early afternoon siesta. All the woodlands we've ridden through and we find our bear in a farm field. Still looking for my moose.

The weather continues to be great. Low 80s and a little overcast. Just enough wind to keep the bugs off. There must have been a big hatch of dragon flies. There are millions of them buzzing around. I think there may be some dragon fly mating going on as well. Don't look Martha!! The country has changed once again to big rolling farm land. We've slowed our pace a little bit and find that the miles now just melt by. We finish without any real fatigue, unlike when we tried to push and wound up just exhausting ourselves for no reason. Another touring lesson learned. Tomorrow will be our last day in Wisconsin. As mentioned, Wisconsin has been our favorite state, so far. We'll be in Minneapolis/St Paul on Monday. Hello Minnesota!  

Local art.

 

Gas seems kinda high back here in lake country.

Here's our bear buddy on the move.

Odd street names in the Great State of Wisconsin.

 

     

 

Day 32 - A Short but Challenging Day: Clam Lake, WI to Hayward, WI

Today was a short, 33 mile, day. Because of the jumps, tomorrow will be a 70 something day.

Although today was short, it had its challenges. The roads had a decent shoulder, but there was heavy, fast traffic and a really blustery wind. The combination made us glad we were doing only 33 miles. We've hoping tomorrow that the winds and traffic will both lighten up for our big mileage day. We'll get an extra early start to enhance our chances of a good day.

 

Last night was the 4th. Martha was doing the sparkler thing.

 

More pyrotechnics.

 

Martha and Barney vs the Big Bear. Better bet on Martha and Barney.

 

A pastoral scene. This yearling bull was giving us a lot of attitude. We moved on before Barney could intercede and give Mr. Bully Boy a thrashing.

 

 

Day 31 - The 4th of July on Tour - It Just Doesn't Get Any Better: Mercer, WI to Clam Lake, WI

Larry - This stretch of fabulous weather just goes on and on. Another mostly sunny day of mild temps and low humidity.

The roads were again cycling friendly and we did 57 easy miles. Our legs are feeling great again. Slowing down a little works wonders. We were all set to do the fireworks thing with the Clam Lake locals this p.m., but are informed that they're waiting until July 6 for the fireworks show. Sigh. Neverless, we will not be deterred. It's sparklers on the porch as soon as it gets sorta dark. Note: At this latitude, it doesn't really get dark until almost 10 p.m. That's way past our bedtime. Tomorrow will be a short day. Only about 40 miles. Heading to Hayward, WI. Maybe we'll get lucky and Hayward will be doing the 4th on the 5th!

 

New BFFs Jean and Maxine at the Butternut Heritage Museum.

 

Larry's secret of getting Martha to do hard things and think she's having fun.

 

Lately Martha has started stalking little birds. I've had to bell her.   

Barney is celebrating the 4th!

 

Day 30 - A 60 Mile Recovery Ride - Another Great Day: Phelps, WI to Mercer, WI

Another blue bird weather day. The winds were light and the roads flat. We rode easy and gave our legs a rest after a couple of challenging days of riding.

We're in the lakes region of Wisconsin. They're everywhere. Lots of resorts and fishing lodges. We think this part of Wisconsin is even prettier than the dairy lands that we saw a few days ago. We had a lake view the last two nights from our motel. Really nice. Picked up some sparklers for the 4th at our lunch stop in Boulder Junction, WI. Boulder Junction is a happening little town with a bike path that runs for miles. There were day riders everywhere.  We'll be in Clam Lake, WI tomorrow for the 4th. We'll fire up our sparklers tomorrow night and wish Uncle Sam another Happy Birthday.

Sunset view from our Phelps, WI motel.

 

The zombies are trying to get clever, but we know what they're up to.

 

A pretty wild flower. They're billions of 'em along the roadways.

 

Martha is holding Barney's halter.

 

A sign just for Martha.

 

Face off!!!  Barney won!

Day 29 - A Little Sore, but We Stayed Calm and Rode On: Crandon, WI to Phelps, WI

Today was short (50 miles) in comparison to yesterday’s 82 miles, but we were still feeling some effects from yesterday’s effort.  Neither of us had much ‘snap’.  Fortunately, we met 4 guys from Chicago at breakfast who are on a 4 day ‘guys’ bike trip.  They are each strong riders.  They rode over 100 miles for each of the first 3 days and are finishing up today with ‘just’ a 75 miler.   

They have ridden this area before and were headed through the same little town (Phelps) where we are staying.  They gave us a couple of route tips that cut almost 15 miles off our day.  Those 15 miles were much appreciated.  

 The route was on some of the nicest roads we’ve seen, through woodlands and very remote.  We saw no commercial services of any kind for the entire 50 miles!  Makes us wonder what it will be like when we really get out west.

We’re staying tonight in a mom and pop motel (The Lakeview) in Phelps, WI.  Our view overlooks North Twin Lake.  It’s very beautiful.  Like most of the lakes around here, it is completely encircled by private homes and docks.  There is lots of fishing going on here in Phelps.  Quite hard for a southern boy to imagine all this water frozen in winter.  I love Wisconsin in the summer, but I doubt I’ll come visiting in the winter.

Unlike yesterday, we’ve had time to get in a nap today.  I can already tell that my legs are recovering and will be almost good as new tomorrow.  We’ll be to Minneapolis before the week is out.  We’ve been riding in a general northwesterly direction since getting off the Badger in Manitowoc.  Soon, Barney will point his nose due west and leave it there for 2,500 miles.

No WiFi at the Lakeview and cell service is sketchy.  The innkeeper  told us the local library has unrestricted WiFi that they leave on 24/7.  Our tipster says everybody drives into the parking lot and starts net surfing.  No need to even go into the building.   We’re going to walk over there and give it a try.  I’ve drafted this up from Office.  Going to do a cut and paste if we can make contact with the outside world from Phelps, WI.

 

This guy seemed like he was working on one of those barbed wire tattoos.

 

Wisconsin. Today's route. Blue skies, empty roads, beautiful scenery.

 

Barney checking out the mural in Phelps.

 

Today was the beginning of our fifth week on the road. Nary a cross word has been exchanged. We're still having a great time.

 

 

Our front porch view.

A sign of interest in Phelps, WI.

Just so you know.  A post in our room.

 

Day 28 - A Big Mileage Day - And We Did Just Fine !!: Shawano, WI to Crandon, WI

In order to continue our string of motel stays, today's 'jump' had to be 82 miles. A little further than we consider ideal, but that's how the jumps work. To have 'sheets and showers', we thought it was well worth the effort.

We both started to have a little sinking spell around mile 50 which was somewhat concerning. But at about that time the temp cooled down, we got just a dash of rain and the terrain flattened out. We got our second wind and had Barney prancin' the last 25 miles into our ever so well earned motel.  

Martha's always wanted to be tall, and now she is!

 

'The girls' chowing down after the a.m. milking. These parlors are everywhere.

 

 

A cow palace on a Wisconsin hill.

 

Barney's snuggling with his new BFF.

 

They're really proud of their very modest (by TN standards) watermelons here in the great state of Wisconsin.   I thought he took this picture for Brenda LeBlanc, who LOVES watermelon!

We did have a fabulous lunch at this market in Mattoon.  And got talking with a local guy who gave us some recommendations on the route.  He drew a map and it was great!  Saved us about 3 miles and some bad roads!  Thanks Alan!

 

 

Today's final tally - and Martha was still smiling!

Yes, I was pretty excited.  This day was nothing like the day into Howell, MI!