Friends and Relations

We have met many friendly people on our trip. But, with just one exception in Boise and one in Boulder, we have not seen a familiar face since we left Toni’s brother Bruce and his wife Ellen behind in Oregon over a month ago.

That changed today when we arrived in Waseca, and we got together with Roger’s cousins Steve and Al (Bruce) Judd and Al’s wife Pat. And in the small world department, Ellen also has a cousin (Linda) in Waseca, and we visited with Linda and her partner Jane as well. In the even smaller world department, Al and Pat are friends with Linda and Jane. We had lovely visits with each of them, catching up on family matters and discussing Linda and Jane’s guided wine tours in Paso Robles (which Al and Pat have taken).

Al, Pat, Steve, Toni and me at the Judds.

Al, Pat, Steve, Toni and me at the Judds.

Linda, me, Toni and Jane

Linda, me, Toni and Jane

Before we reached Waseca, we left the Mankato area, managing to climb out of three river valleys: first the Minnesota River valley, then the Blue Earth River valley, and finally the Le Sueur River valley. In the west, we travelled along rivers, and that usually meant a gentle upward ride. This morning was a bit of a roller coaster as we went across rather than along the river valleys.

Blue Earth River south of Mankato

Blue Earth River south of Mankato

The best part about the morning’s ride was the bicycle path I was able to follow for almost ten miles. I stayed on the path across the river valleys and up onto the prairie. From the nearby highway, Toni got pictures of me riding up one of the hills and then through the prairie.

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Trust me, there is a path there — I was not riding through the grass!

Trust me, there is a path there — I was not riding through the grass!

Meanwhile, my view of the wildflowers and the cultivated fields was closer and more focused.

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And here are today’s top barns.

McPherson, Minnesota

McPherson, Minnesota

St. Mary. Minnesota

St. Mary. Minnesota

The technical stuff:

Mankato to Owatonna, Minnesota, with a lengthy stop in Waseca

60.9 miles

1,781 feet of climbing

Average speed 14.2 miles per hour

Weather: Bright sunshine all day; 60 in the morning to around 80 in the afternoon; winds light and variable.

You can see the entire route to date here.