Day 32 / Aug 6 / Albert Lea, MN to Lanesboro, MN / 82.5 miles and 1,585 feet / 75 degrees

I can’t begin to tell you how much nicer it is to cycle with the temperature below 90 degrees! It’s been wonderful this week – well, except for the stiff headwind Monday and Tuesday. Today, the wind was much less and we ended with 11 miles of downhill on the Root River Trail into Lanesboro, MN. The trail was shaded and protected from the wind. What a blessing! I saw two bluebirds and after the second sighting, I told myself that I would stop and take a picture of the next one I saw…well, maybe tomorrow.

I do have to say that the big disappointment today was missing the SPAM Museum in Austin, MN. We had a morning water stop in Austin and I didn’t find out about the museum until I heard that a few of the riders had detoured to visit. Elmo also went to the SPAM Museum…here he is out front.

We did, however, ride on the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway. But alas, we didn’t see Ma, Pa, Laura, Mary, Carrie or Alonso. Nor did we see anything from Laura’s life.

We did see some highland cattle…not sure what they are doing here in Minnesota, but they were a fun sight.

Our lunch stops are also improving.

And in case you are worried about us being able to be in touch, worry no longer. This device was spotted on Main Street in Lanesboro, just outside the Historical Museum, which has a penny-farthing in the window – boy did the male cyclists want to get their hands on that bike! By the way, Lanesboro has about a three-block Main Street. : – )

This guy must be digging for change to make a call.

Oh, and I almost forgot, this was spotted along the trail…we can’t figure out what would be in the selfie besides the person and a bit of greenery. I guess we are old people.