June16-17-18 Waconia-Montvideo-Wheaton-Fargo. M-104.07,T-9:36:54,AVG-10.82,El-1399. M-87.38,T-6:00:37,AVG-14.53,El-1539. M-81.08,T-6:45:31,AVG-11.99,El-946.

On the road again and heading west on 7 to Montevideo. Only a 2 turn day. Right on 10 leaving Waconia and then left on7 for 100 miles. I decided to straighten my route out and not back track though Minneapolis to connect with the AC route. Save some time and I enjoy mapping my way as I go. The appropriatly painted water tower as I was passing through Cosmos and then farther down road this brilliantly white crucifix caught my eye.

I was looking forward to my ride north from Montevideo to Wheaton as the weatherman was predicting 20 to 30 knot winds with higher gusts from the south. The weather forecast also helped with making up mind on which direction to go as I was opting to head west. It was a great day of riding despite the tornadoes that set down on  parts of Minnesota. I sailed along  most of the way hearing the wind howl in the cross wires as I passed through intersections and the shadows of the clouds passing me from above.  I could maintain 20 to 30 MPH at times with little effort.It was hard to stop riding today wanting to take advantage of these easy miles that don't come around very often.

I didn't have the same luck as yesterday with the wind. It had veered around to the southwest which helped a little with allot of leaning. I was always anticipating the turns in  the hiway to the east as I was heading north which brought the wind back to my back again for some easy riding. You can see the clouds congregate in the north in this pic for some fierce weather conditions shown below.

Luckily I missed this! A new friend I met in Fargo a couple of days later showed me this picture his brother had taken the same day only in the northern part of the state.

June14-15-16 Waconia

It's back on the road again after my stay with friends in Waconia an Oasis in the middle of my journey west. Bill,Kellie,Hailey,Claire,Jack and Dot made me feel right at home among there busy schedules of work, soccer games and school. We called my stop the "1/2 way house"and I must of passed as I was released yesterday and out riding again. I regrouped here. Took in some sights and just had some down time. Put a new tire on the bike. Shipped some excess weight home which I had been packing around for a couple thousand miles. 

 

Bill plays on a rec. league hockey team and we took in a game the night before I left. Hockey is big here in Minnesota just like Canada.

Pastoral backroads as I was riding out of Waconia yesterday morning toward 7.

Signs of the past!

June 11-12-13,Chippewa-Hastings-Waconia,M-97.07,T-8:57:20,AVG-10.83,El-4184. M-55.89,T-5:12:32,AVG-10.72,El-1683,

 I left Chippewa in the morning after one last stop at Irvine Park. 

 In 1906 William Irvine had a dream to establish a reserve that would enhance and protect the Chippewa Valley environment. Mr. Irvine then donated a number of acres to the city for this purpose. The size of the park has grown throughout the years and is now 318 acres. It has been a recreational resource of pride for Chippewa Falls residents and visitors for many years.

There is a continuous sound throughout Irvine Park-Laughter. Laughter of children playing at the numerous playgrounds in the park, at the monkey cages and throughout the zoo.

The sites are also numerous. Picnic areas, the historical pavilion often used for weddings and family reunions, the unique Irvine Park museum and Sunny Valley Schoolhouse which is over 100 years old.

Beautiful Glen Loch Dam is part of Irvine Park. With its scenic overlook it draws tourist during all seasons.The park also has many walking and cross-country ski trails. Hiking the trails is one of the best ways to truly experience the beauty of the park.

A misty morning ride to Hastings Mn. through Wisconsin. My last day in this biker friendly state. It wasn't the rolling hills I was use to riding in  the past few days but climbs that leveled off on to plateaus with descents leveling off again. 

Monoliths along 46 from Hastings to Waconia just south of Minneapolis. I can't quite figure out what these were for. Maybe a abandoned project. So if  you know drop me a line.