Long Prairie, MN

With some help from his new friends at the Otter Supper Club & Lounge, Paul found a new route south so he wouldn’t have to backtrack and could cut off some miles to get back on track. He rode on mostly back roads today so traffic was not nearly as bad as yesterday, but it rained most of the 66 miles and there were headwinds. Pretty tough riding weather. It was a lonely day too, as other bikers were not out in the elements. But he left the flies behind.

As he came into Long Prairie, MN, he stopped at the first convenience store for directions to a motel. The clerk laughed at the sight of him and asked if he was having fun yet. Paul answered that he always had fun but admitted he was cold, soaked to the skin and miserable at the moment. He is still bemoaning lightening his load by sending his wool sweater and arm & leg warmers with Bruce, but he certainly has learned his lesson from that mistake! The Budget Host Inn has a garage which is housing Paul’s bike for the night; they were grateful he asked for rags to wipe down the bike rather than using the good room towels. Minnesota has had 8 inches of rain in the last couple of days so there is some flooding that Paul may have to contend with in the days ahead. He thinks rain continues to be in the forecast as well. Ann