Winonna MN to Owatanna, MN

Brian’s Ride: Miles Biked: 85.8 Average Speed: 12 mph Max Speed: 30.1 mph Time Pedaling: 7 hours 8 minutes Total Feet Climbed: 3550 Start/Stop Time: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Wind: Windy from the west.

     This trip has taught me a lot about finding happiness in such simple accomplishments. This has been a huge realization, as I often seem to push for more, for bigger and better.  As I later rode my bike around the grounds of this tranquil park, I had one of those rare moments of complete contentment.  Knowing Diane would soon arrive with Jack added to the happiness, as I hold little else as close to my heart as my friendships, especially the ones that have spanned decades. For more than twenty-three years, when we were first seated next to each other (Fargo and Farbstein) in 9th grade, Diane has made me laugh heartily. She has that rare ability to find funny almost any situation and it looks like Jack has that same DNA. To watch them laugh and play together just kind of melted my heart.

Owatanna to New Ulm

Brian’s Ride: Miles Biked: 81.8 Average Speed: 13.8 mph Max Speed: 27.8 mph Time Pedaling: 5 hours 56 minutes Total Feet Climbed: 2430 Start/Stop Time: 7:15 am to 3:15 pm Wind: Light breeze from southwest Comments: What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was tough. Today was enjoyable. Flatter land and a light breeze made the going easier. The day started on US 14 until Mankato. US 14 is a heavily traveled road with mostly good wide shoulders. From Mankato, I switched to State Route 68 that followed the southern shore of the Minnesota River. This rolling road had light traffic and traveled through beautiful farm scenery as it snaked its way along and up and down the river valley.

Prior Lake MN

A seven-star stay at the Murph Spa

     Electricity-charged clacks of lighting and rumbles of thunder rolled through the bedroom as Brian and I once again marveled at the good fortune and timing of our off day. We all congregated in the living room with the Murphy clan, including one very skittish black lab. Dixie was just as frightened as we were, apprehensive of the storm as we were, but thankfully it passed quickly. We were even more grateful, still, to learn Murph ran out to close the upper hatches of the RV, preventing the creation of a 29-ft. aquarium!

     The Murphy family took such good care of us, we dubbed the place the Murphy Spa… only to have Diane distribute some Mary Kay soothing products to help renew us! The hospitality continued even further as Diane played chauffeur, driving to the airport get my cousin Laura from New York and our friends Joan Hamilton and Dave Grey from Atlanta.  When we returned from the airport run, Mrs. Murph had concocted yet another bountiful spread of goodies from the garden and beyond. By this point, we all seriously contemplated ditching the rest of the ride and staying right here in this newfound nirvana.  Murph teased he couldn’t bear the burden of knowing he helped contribute to the halting of the trip! It was a bittersweet farewell as we navigated the RV out of the driveway. I surely didn’t want to take out any trees and curtail any future invitations.

     We careened away from Prior Lake, our hearts and tummies full to the brim.  Well, there’s always a little room for more, as we discovered 40 miles south at Schmidt’s, an award winning meat shop, where we checked out the miscellaneous types of previously unheard of specialty meat products, including turkey jerky, garlic summer sausage and more.  Upon arrival at the campsite at New Ulm, everyone sprung in to action. Joan organized the RV while Laura, Dave and Brian prepared the bikes and I assembled dinner. We spruced up the picnic table with yet another bottle of red wine, a candle, some Wisconsin cheeses, salad, honey mustard chicken and an onion/pepper fritatta. I figured the guests would most remember their first meal, not the subsequent dinners where mac-and-cheese is wolfed down, directly from the box!