The Cigar Run To The Border!

The last two days of the ride went from Itasca State Park to International Falls, and across the border to Fort Frances, Ontario, with an overnight in little Northhome, Minnesota. Thanks to Katie Hawes for the tip on traveling "beside the road". The first day was drop dead gorgeous, with pleasant weather and tailwinds. The second day looked dangerous, but the rains never came and the winds, a quartering head-wind, were just strong enough to make a challenge, but not too strong to be fun. Georgia drove the car the entire two days because of her earlier injury, and what a fantastic sag driver. One morning she met us on the road with a personalized tray of hot drinks: coffee for Janet, decaf tea for me, and hot chocolate for Edith. Now that's what I call support! Here a few pictures of the big finish, and no more lengthy reports! Thanks for sharing my ride with me!

There was an extra set of "Bo-Peep" signs, so WomanTours graciously loaned them to us for my red "Bo-Peep!"

I officially turned over the new Bo-Peep keys to Georgia!

This is the Mighty Mississippi, Big Muddy, somewhere between Itasca and Bemidji. Way up here, the powerful river is neither "Mighty" nor "Muddy", but it is certainly pretty!

Edith is allergic to peanuts, so she used some of the remaining WomanTours rations to make her daily "treat", a raisin sandwich.

Approaching a sag stop, somewhere up north.

Georgia borrowed a menu to "invite" us in for a break at the restaurant in Big Falls, where we indulged in caramel rolls with our morning "tea" break. While sitting at a booth I looked at a bench far across the road. I couldn't read the writing, but I announced to my friends, "I believe that bench says 'In Memory of Wayne". Those of you who ride the Klobuchar ride may remember Wayne's World in Baudette, and some of you might even remember sitting on a bench in Big Falls a couple of days later....I wasn't sure if this was the right town, but....

Indeed it was.....somewhere in my non-digital photos there is a picture of me and several other cyclists sitting on this same bench, a few years ago!

We rode the last couple of miles into International Falls with Mervyn, a fifteen-year-old who last year rode with his father from Pensacola, Florida to International Falls, self-contained, in 29 days! Kind of made us feel like we hadn't really worked too hard! Mervyn and his dad now ride recumbent, though he was on an upright this day. Mervyn, by the way, is a walking, talking testament to the value of home-schooling. Thanks for joining us Mervyn--you really made our arrival in the Falls a very special moment!

Georgia greeted us at the Holiday Inn with a red "carpet"...

We went to Canada for dinner at the Rendezvous, which is where I ate lunch when Klobuchar went through I-Falls years ago, the same year we enjoyed Wayne's World in Baudette and that bench in Big Falls! It is a lovely restaurant, with excellent food, but Janet decided to polish off her last WomanTours peanut butter sandwich. After eating those sandwiches for 40 days or so, I think we'll all lay off peanut butter for awhile!

Here I am at the Rendezvous, with my New Orleans bike jersey, my Vicksburg earrings, and my Most Determined award. Do I look happy?

Couldn't get a Cuban, but I did find a Havana Seed cigar. It wasn't very good, but we went through the ceremony anyhow. I think this may be the last cigar I smoke!

We were all a little sad looking at our bicycles on the rack...seemed weird to be pulling them instead of riding them!

In the morning, we rolled out the red carpet again, this time for Georgia, sag driver extraordinaire and a great new friend. Georgia, Janet, and Edith all inspire me--though the reasons they inspire are varied, the message I read into their experiences, courage, and wisdom, comes out the same--life is good, so go out and live it while you can!

Back in the townhouse in Maple Grove, I curled up on Annie's makeshift bed with her cuddly stuffed toys--exhausted and happy!

The End