Today was a much more reasonable ride. Only a couple big hills. Really needed that.
Went through Lake Pepin. It is the birthplace of water skiing. Ralph Samuelson figured that out nearly 100 years ago (thanks, Kay Fisher). It’s also the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Spent most of the day riding in the valley along the Mississippi. That’s why the day was relatively shy on hills.
This pic made me think of the Appalachian Trail. I can guarantee the trail would run right over that ridge.
Wisconsin has to lead the nation in bars per capita. I went through Alma. Population 781. Must have been a dozen bars. I’ve noticed a similar ratio in other towns. Guess that’s the only way you can be a Packer fan!! 😁
Stopped at the Wing Dam Saloon in Fountain City for lunch. Great experience. Food was good but the highlight was meeting Lauren (bartender, waitress, and server). She was intrigued by my journey and really wanted to help me. I suggested donating to the charities I’m riding for but she really wanted to help ME personally. She bought my lunch. So cool! Thanks so much, Lauren. Awesome to meet you.
Businesses have been short staffed my entire journey. I feel very sorry for those businesses struggling to find employees. Please be patient with those folks that are working. They have enough pressure already.
The final few miles were on a shaded, hard pan bike path. Very relaxing.
The next 1500 miles will be the most difficult of the trip based on my prior experiences. I’m not talking physically. I really have no clue what to expect there. I’m talking mentally.
It was new and exciting at the beginning. Then I had Bristol to look forward to. I knew I had friends and support for a ways after that.
It’s way too early to even think about Key West so I’ll just be grinding miles out for the next 3 weeks or so. This is when I really need your support.
I read and enjoy every comment on the blog and I love to see donations to the charities I’m riding for (https://at-pete.com/pledge-information/).
I am fortunate to have a great network of support. I’ll really be needing it the next few weeks.
Ride on.
Just Pete
Just Pete Hiking 
Pete, thank you for the update. Reading your Blog with my morning coffee is only second to my morning prayers. Just a great day to start my day. Thank you!! You are an inspiration for sure!! Stay safe!!
Tony
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Pete,
The Adams family is totally behind you! It was great to have you stop by and share your journey with us. Keep your nose pointed south and the adventure will be over before you know it! Ride on with a smile
David, Stephanie, Charlie and Hannah
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You and Gerty are doing great. I am amazed by your commitment and stamina. Ride on
Cookie
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You are doing wonderful! Look forward to your blog every morning and reading about the nice people you are meeting on the way. Just a thought, but you could always change your goal to Sea to Sea and head for the Jersey shore! Your friends here would love to see you. Little shorter ride but still an amazing feat.
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Tom and I have been following your blogs daily and really look forward to reading them! Tom is having knee replacement today & I think he would much rather be riding with you. You look great; keep up the excellent spirit and stay safe!
Cheryl & Tom
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Larry and I read about your travels every morning! Good luck and best wishes!!
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I can see you are really become a true cyclist…the best part of the picture of you and new best friend were you legs. If you have not noticed your legs are pure muscle. You are doing what many of us wished we had done and it I am living my dream through your pictures and posts. I like the way you set short term goals. BTW there is a wager on how many Buds you will have consumed during your ride so be sure to to keep an accurate count. Be safe. don
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Way to go bud sent an open credit card from bud enjoy
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That looked like a nice ride with interesting history to boot! How gracious of Lauren to buy your lunch! 👏👍❤️ We’ll all be cheering and praying for you as you continue your ride. You’re awesome!! Safe travels!
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You’d fit right in with us Packer fans Jeff!!
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Like most of the others who commented, both of us read your blog together first thing in the morning at breakfast, unless a very early round of golf or something very important gets in the way. But then it better be very important otherwise Pete comes first. And we really enjoy the report and your description of the previous day, the scenery and especially the people you meet and have met. And we try to understand the difficulties as well.
Obviously, we were early bike-riders ourselves. In Holland as you may realize, a bike is about the first useful thing/present you ever receive. You grow up with and on it, and not on one with all the current fancy gear- so we realize how tough and more importantly often how lonely it can be. And that distances look so much longer than they -once completed- are. To school, on vacation with the tent, and everywhere else that’s how it was and km’s/miles did not matter.
But then Jeff, from what we learned then and still remember from those days long ago, is that you have to set shorter term goals. Forget for now the word Keys. It will come, you will get there, but just focus on the 2500 miles marker for now, and then 3000 or a specific place or other mileage as your next (bigger) goal. We bet you it will work. Makes the balance of the journey look not as overwhelming as it may at times now. And once you are half way, you are “counting down”
So, keep the pedals moving…and don’t quit.
When we moved to the States, for me to start a not so easy job, in 1980, one of my colleagues gave me a framed copy of the attached poem. It’s still in my office and early on I looked at it (almost) daily. It helped in tough times.
Here it is. Read it from time to time. It may help in those difficult moments that will (again) undoubtedly come.
“DON’T QUIT
When Things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to Smile but have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he’d stuck it out,
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow.
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown,
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.”
……..and keep the daily reports coming. Life for us on the sidelines would be so much duller without them.
Berty and Victor
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If anyone can do it, it is YOU and Gertie! Keep pedaling. So proud of you!
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We’re all keeping up with your journey here in our household and we look forward to your daily posts!
You’re setting a really high bar for active ‘retirement’ — living large and gathering experiences, not moss.
I’m sure you’re right about the mental part being the toughest part at this stage… I’m sure you’ve learned some tricks on your adventures to keep you head in the game. Just know that you’ve got a whole bunch of people all over the country pulling for you!
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You and Gerty got this!
I was so happy to have crossed paths with you at the Wingdam
Ride on friend!
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My friend sends out a message from John Wooden every Wednesday. This morning it was:
George Moriarty’s poem The Road Ahead or The Road behind:
And so the fates are seldom wrong,
No matter how they twist and wind;
It’s you and I who can make our fates,
We open up or close the gates
On the ROAD AHEAD or the ROAD BEHIND
Think about you every day Jeff and look forward each morning to reading about :”YOUR DAY”
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Jeff,
We not only find your attitude and accomplishments of each day inspiring, but also receive inspiration from the comments of your followers as they acknowledge your daily progress. Some of your followers seem to get started fairly early each morning as well! Ride on Plantation members (includes Jeff). Best to Tom Cruz with the knee replacement!!
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You have an incredible following that will help you for next 1500 and more. Awesome blog. So enjoy it.
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I have a feeling your mental concerns will pass as you make your nightly stops in towns yet to come. Each night there will be new people to experience & chat with and you know they’ll want to hear of your adventure. Who knows you might get bored telling your story but know the people listening are intrigued.
Stay safe my friend and peddle on🤘🏻🚴🏻♂️🍺
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Ditto to everyone’s morning expectations for insightful, humorous and heartfelt daily updates! We’re all pulling for you and Gerty with no concerns that you’ll continue to keep us inspired! You’re like a magnet, attracting friends and experiences wherever you go🚴🚴.
Ride on 👍
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