June 15, 2005

“I’m never coming back to this state again!”

We cleaned up in the morning and packed and were at the post office at 8:15. Hurrah, the maps had arrived. Overnight mail sent Saturday, guaranteed for Monday arrived Wednesday. I guess a credit is in order.

It’s finally dry. When we rolled out it was overcast but the winds were coming out of the northeast. During the day as it got sunnier they gradually shifted to come out of the southeast. This was a bigger problem as we were doing the “L” south, then east, then south, then east route layout all day. Those winds again. They were only of the 5 to 12 mile variety but they were constant. Occasionally we would have a head to cross but they were in front of us and with the flat terrain with no trees we could here the constant sound of wind in your ears and feel the pressure holding back our progress. We cooked an oatmeal breakfast before we left but the closest actual meal we could get was in forty miles at a small town called Binford, ND. Because it has services it is often utilized by touring cyclists. We were told that the city park is usually filled with cyclists in late June through late July. We were asked to sign the log at the Café where we ate. We are the second and third cyclists to sign it in 2005. The first is a couple of days ahead of us. With the mileage he is doing we could catch him in three or four days. We might not see him however as we may still be on the road if he ends his day earlier. He is averaging about 65 miles a day. We are close to 90.

Binford, ND

Those winds again. As I said a couple of days ago they have a psychological effect on us. It’s just like when you go to a new place camping. If it rains there, forever in your mind it is a lousy place to camp. At one point Nick turned to me and said: “I am never coming back to this state again.” He’ll be back here some day, he just doesn’t know it yet.

Our progress was slow and our average speed for the day was only 11.2 MPH, our slowest day of the trip. We decided to make this a short day and finished with close to sixty-two miles for the day. We stopped because the next town with adequate services is another thirty to forty miles which would have meant a nine hour day in the saddle. Besides the maps showed a movie theatre and Nick had his sites on seeing a movie today. We found out later that the theatre is only open on the weekend. Nick got a haircut instead.

We went to the city park to camp as late in the afternoon the skies were clear. We found that with the rain the last couple of weeks there was about an inch of standing water covering about two thirds of the land surface in the park. There were dry spots but the mosquitoes were about in swarms. We decided to seek another alternative. There is a church a couple of blocks from the park so we would try that option.

The Cooperstown Evangelical Church is pleasing to look at and has well kept grounds. We could see that they got water in the basement with all the rain by the drainage hose running to the street. I went to the parsonage next door and met Pastor Dale Clifton. He is the new pastor for the church and he just arrived here this morning. We asked about staying in the back of the church. Dale (he said to use his first name) wanted to check with the church elders, which I thought prudent. We talked with him a bit and he could see that we were truly cross country cyclists just looking for a place to get a night’s sleep. At one point he said: “I guess I will have to make an executive decision.” He offered to let us stay in the parsonage. His family had not arrived yet, there were extra beds, a shower, and he would be there alone.

Our Benefactors for the Night

When we asked if we could use the kitchen to cook he mentioned that he had been eating cereal. We offered to cook in a cyclists meal of Ramen, Uncle Ben’s Rice, and some pre-cooked fish. He went to the store to buy some Coca-Cola and bottled water, Nick cooked, and I cleaned up after dinner. Pastor Dale Clifton had a unique first dinner in the parsonage. He said a fitting grace before dinner which included a blessing for a safe journey for Nick and I. We were also treated to a number of “Ollie and Lena” jokes which are a dry humor that pokes fun at Scandinavian heritage. Remember we are in ND and many of the inhabitants in this area are from Scandinavian descent. It is proper to make fun of yourself.

Again, the hospitality of rural America outdoes itself.

Jim

Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)

© 2005 - JNS

Next Log Entry >>

<< Previous Log Entry

Main Page