Mom Nelson rode out of the driveway with us, down the Red Jacket Trail. The traffic was a little scarry as she weaved around trying to take pictures and ride at the same time.
Rolling in corn and beans, southwestern MN
We have completed 1% of our journey rolling through the flat lands of MN and into Brookings, South Dakota. One of our goals has been to meet people where they are at in ways that we can't when travelling at 60 mph. That definately came true at our first rest stop in Hanska. There are now a few 5th and 6th graders who think it would be great to do a similar bike trip, asking about a 3-seater. They were inspirational to us, and hopefully we inspired some dreams for them. Then there were the lovely ladies at the Tracy Vet Clinic who in the process of giving us directions, turned our trip into an article for the local newspaper. Meanwhile the neighbor who saw the commotion, picked an arm full of cucumbers from his garden and walked across the street to give them to us. God Bless small town USA! We then realized the impact of our celebrity status when I (Christie) overheard 2 older men belly laughing as they stood in line at the grocery check-out line...saying "and they're going to Argentina!....and there's half of them right there" as I walked out of the restroom. I gave a friendly wave and double checked to make sure the paporatazzi wasn't following (just kidding).
Our Tracy Vet Clinc fans and photographer
We feel like kids...so free....taking each moment as it is. Our first night we tented at a tiny country church in the middle of nowhere after getting permission from the farmer nearby (who's brother and sister-in-law also rode to Argentina by bike in their younger years! "And still talk about it today". The second night we tented in the Tyler fairgrounds, chatted with the fair secretary about his 100% danish herritage, splashed our sweat off in the barn spigot, ate dinner in the deserted grandstand, overlooked the sunset and a softball game. We are now enjoying our time with the Nelson crew in Brookings, went with grandpa to run some farm errands, were introduced to praire golf, and of course had to stop to get fresh ice cream at the SDSU dairy bar. A CHERISHED time with family!
We'll visit MN again, for now...on to SD.
Grandpa and Eric on the farm.
Praire golfing with the Nelsons (Darred, Darren, Eric, Darrell, G-pa the caddie, Dana). Aim for the alfalfa tuft.
Beware of hazards (ie. marshland, groundhog holes, and Eric's swing)
5 comments:
So fun to read your stories! Can't wait to hear more. I'm on the edge of my seat! Love you!
You guys are amazing...keep peddling. (No Baby Casper yet...).
Thank you for the cute lion puppet gift for Olivia Love. She was born on Tuesday 4 lbs 7 oz. Both Mom and baby are doing great. Hope you guys are having a blast. It sounds like it. Can't wait to hear about more of your tales! Sorry we didn't make your send off. We we admitted to the hospital that night for observation.
Yeah Aunt Christie and Uncle Bear!! We are so proud of you. We just want to know want to know why Wisconsin wasn't in your trip plans?
Miss you!
Love, Brady and Jayci
Fun keeping up with you two adventurers & hearing your stories of God's touches upon your lives thru the people & experiences of your journey...now on to WY! We miss your effervescent presence.
Love you guys! Mankato Mom & Dad
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