Just a little more time

Eric - As our bike made its way West, I was faced with one of my greatest fears of the trip. Stopping. Christie had the end in her sights, a stop in St. Paul, then an easy day in to Mankato and the madness would end. She would be finished with this trip that was a physical cake-walk compared to the mental and emotional strains, never to cycle for more than a month or two at a time again.

Could we compromise on a new route? Mesh Christie's need to see family and friends, with my desire to make the freedom roll on a little longer. Our route adjustment has brought us to Fargo, a reunion with Christie's family, a 10 year Concordia Cobber reunion, and two more blessed weeks on the bicycle.

Chicago gets a big thumbs up for their bicycle friendliness. The lake path, good bike lanes and free maps of the city bike routes combine for our best big city cycling experience. At the end of a long day in to the wind, we knocked on George and Georgia's door asking to throw a tent in their field. Within minutes we were making the bed on their back porch and getting ready to watch Monday Night Football. We continue to be amazed by the kindness we encounter. Certainly not getting any younger. Celebrating my second birthday on this trip. Here with our niece and nephew. Family filling the cheering section. A sunny day for some hard hitting 7th grade football action. Back in the foundry family. Mike is Neenah's Metallurgist and was a great stop on our way home. Chain-o-Lakes. Todd is a former co-worker. He and Sharon opened his house to us on a rainy night. We took in a great boat ride during a break in the rain. Thankfully there wasn't a night game. Tucked out of the wind and out of site, this super-sized dugout was home for a night. Colfax, midway between the North Pole and Equator, every small town has a claim to fame. Hiding out during a lightning storm. A few soggy days in the rain. Thankfully we had dry places to sleep each night. More reunions. Being close to home has given us lots of people to celebrate with. Here some Cobbers and their families. A highlight of our trip was sitting at an internet cafe in San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina, talking to our good friends, Chris and Kristin, and hearing that after 14 years they were finally engaged. Celebrating with them in person was even better. Still loving the warmshowers stops. Paul was our 15th and probably our last WS stay. The choice to turn our route North, took us through the full palette of fall colors. On the Lake Wobegon Trail between St. Cloud and Fergus Falls. Cobbers unite! We converged on Christie's sister and brother-in-law as we hit Fargo. As usual, Michelle took the house filling onslaught of people in stride. Due to some visionary friends, we found ourselves in the Cobber homecoming parade. Maybe we'll continue throwing candy for the rest of our ride.

We've arrived at the conclusion that this journey must end....and actually have a definite stopping date (October 12th). We continue to be challenged by our desire to live on the fringe of typical US society and not be outsiders. Maybe now is the time to dance with the changes in our near future.