I’m Back in the Saddle Again, Out Where a Friend is a Friend. Day 19 -Chippewa County Park-Brandon, MN

My legs are reminding me that it has been six days since they were called upon to work. 

We have had a rich time with dad and family these past days.  I resolve to make a better habit of returning to the home country just to visit.

Aunt Sylvia was a gracious host and readied some French toast for breakfast. A favorite pre ride meal for Rhonda and I. Afterwards we relearned how to pack our gear and load our bikes. We said our goodbyes and started to pedal off towards dad’s place. It felt good to spin the legs. The bikes were smooth after a “safety check” and minor tune from the Great Northern Bicycle Co. of Fargo.  

We arrived at Park Gardens and visited with Helen W’s son, who was in town to visit his mom. We found our way to dad’s apartment for a short visit and long good bye. To Barbara and the rest of the Park Gardens cafeteria crowd, good bye. I’ll see you all later. I love you, Dad! 

Today’s trail was entirely on the Central Lakes State Trail. A converted railroad bed that cruises 55 miles from Fergus Falls to Osakis, my mom’s home of her youth. More converted railroads extends further. In fact we will be on it for the next day and a half. What a sweet ride. Quiet, beautiful, and most important, no cars. It passes through several farming communities, Dalton, Ashby, Melby, Evansville, and Brandon today.   We ate a very typical lunch at the Backroads Steakhouse in Evansville. Rhonda had the beer battered walleye sandwich and I had today’s special: 1/4 fried chicken and potato salad for six bucks. I’m really looking forward to more of these affordable and tasty meals. 

Our camp is a couple miles north of Brandon; Douglas County’s Chippewa Park, nestled on a strip of land between two lakes. So nice. So beautiful. So quiet. There are 13 RV sites and 2 tent sites. To our surprise, the bathrooms have free showers! A perfect way to end our restart. Now to relax and listen to the birds sing. 

Oh, and it’s only about 70 degrees!