As most of you know, I grew up in Minnesota. My family moved back here when I was seven (from the Boston area, where I was born — more on that at the end of the trip), and I lived here through college. My sister and most of her kids live in Winona, Minnesota, and a brother and most of his family live in the Twin Cities. There are several places I have called home in my life, but Minnesota is special.
The day started with a beautiful, quiet ride on the bike path along the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls.
Here is the obligatory picture of the falls of Sioux Falls.
I mentioned several days ago that the South Dakota countryside was beginning to remind me of Minnesota, and that impression grew as we approached and crossed the state line. We are now solidly in farm country.
Just after we crossed into Minnesota, I noticed hopper cars lined up along the road. These went on almost unbroken for most of ten miles.
I assume they are waiting there until the crops grow and ripen and are ready to be shipped. I wondered if there is some tax or regulatory reason why they are lined up in Minnesota rather than South Dakota.
One of the changes I welcome as we move east is the small towns that pop up across the countryside. Further west, towns were rarely more than a wide spot in the road with a bar or two and several churches. But we are now encountering small towns that each have their own character and appeal. As I travel across the plains, water towers and grain elevators in the distance announce that I am approaching a town.
Today I rode through Luverne, Minnesota, with its unique architecture and small town vibe. I wished it was time for lunch or an ice cream break so I could linger a little longer.
We also passed this reminder of what it was like to travel across the country in earlier days.
We are camped this evening right next to a lake, and this is my view as I write up these notes.
It’s good to be home again.
PS . Toni likes Minnesota too.
And here is the last of the South Dakota barns and the first of the Minnesota barns. You may notice that the Minnesota barn is made entirely of brick. A first on this trip.
The technical stuff:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Worthington, Minnesota
73.3 miles
1,870 feet of climbing
Average speed 15.8 miles per hour
Weather: Hazy sunshine in the morning (due to smoke from fires in Canada); bright sunshine in the afternoon; temperatures around 50 to start and low 70s in the afternoon. Tail winds or left rear quartering winds about 10 to 15 miles per hour all day.
You can see the entire route to date here.