Gig Harbor Washington to Bar Harbor Maine 2001

It was one of those days where you remember that there are other things to do besides bike. You can't remember what they are but you'd like to try.

Gridley woke us up at 6 and I gagged down some shredded wheat with powdered milk. They don't do granola on the prairie. We were camped next to a 5th wheel trailer, complete with a large pickup and boat. Two guys were planning some serious fishing. They made us a pot of coffee, offered us all the water we wanted (there wasn't any potable water in camp), and let us use their bathroom, even after they went fishing. The good thing about the day was the people. North Dakotans are very friendly, helpful people.

It was cold when we got up. A bank of black clouds sneered over the horizon. The wind was from the north-east - we were headed east. I was sure it would be hot again anyway so I wore my coolest shorts and jersey. We rode the 3 miles back to town and wandered the grocery awhile. I got frustrated looking at all the sugary crap or ingredients for something cooked. Kathryn and I went to a restaurant while the Mikes rode off.

Of course, it took over an hour but we each had chicken fried steak and eggs with lots of hash browns. Good riding food. It was colder when we got back outside and I pulled on my windbreaker and rainpants. It was even colder riding. The temperature was only between 57 and 60 all day, but that north wind was cruel. I was sweating and freezing inside my non-breathing clothes.

We were moving very slow into the headwind and the first business of any sort was 31 miles down the road. Something about breakfast made us need frequent rest stops. Kathryn hid from the constant traffic behind the occasional tree or in ditches. I just tried to turn my back to traffic. They don't have anything to hide behind, they must be accustomed to seeing people pee. I tried to be more discreet when I couldn't take the cold anymore and changed into my tights. It didn't work. Several motorists were treated to a full moon on a cloudy day.

The convenience store at 31 miles was a delight. I got a sandwich and OJ just so I could sit and warm up. Another 10 miles down the road, we turned south and had a nice tailwind for 24 miles. The sun came out for this stretch, but it was still cold. I caught myself nodding off while pedaling. In fact, everyone complained of being really sleepy today.

My bike's taking a nap.

We finally got to Garrison, after 12 more miles of hills and headwinds. We found the Mikes finishing their laundry. They'd been in town for hours. We got a pretty good dinner, the special (fried chicken, baked potato), finished our laundry, rode the 3 miles to the state park, got a good shower (although you have to pull a string for water, let go and the water stops), climbed into bed, wrote this, fell asleep.