The Bunkhouse

The Alarm Clock sounded, the distinctive call of the Sandhill Crane. What time was it? It was early dawn and light was beginning to appear. If I turn my phone on to check the time, I’ll never fall back to sleep. The cranes and my bladder decided I needed to get out of the tent and greet the new day. 

It was muggy. Grey clouds to the southwest and partly sunny(?, it was barely the beginning of civil twighlight) to the east. East and SE was our direction of travel, as well as the direction the wind arrived. 

I built a cup of coffee and waited for the world to wake up. Our new friends Mark and Steve, we’ll call them that because that’s their names, soon arose. Mark turns out to be a bike touring master chef. I’m jealous of his liberal use and variety of spices he carries that turn the most common convenience store fare into an epicurean delight. Rhonda and I waited for Jordie’s Trailside Cafe to open. We have much to learn. Although, Jordie’s is another of those gems we have found that needs to be visited again. Besides, the patrons are engaging and fun to share stories. 

Mark and Steve took off and after breakfast we followed. We left the Lake Wobegon Trail and took to the open road. The county highway was smooth, wide shoulders and little traffic. Just a little ways out of Bowlus we ran across my alarm clocks. I really do love the sound of their call. 

We had a tailwind, that blew mostly in our face most of the day. But it was manageable and helped keep us cooler. We actually kept a fair pace stopping occasionally for a nature break, refilling our water bottles and visiting with the locals. Most are amazed of our ambition and endurance and secretly I think they are jealous of our bike outfits. 

Nearing 4 hours of riding we entered Milaca to find a grocery store and our vittles for dinner. In front of the Market we found Mark and Steve. They waited while we shopped and soon the four of us were in a paceline for the last hour of riding. Our destination: Donn Olson’s Farm and the Bicycle Bunkhouse. Bicycle Bunkhouse Dalbo

Like so much of our Minnesota journey, we are constantly overjoyed and blessed with the kindness and open hearts of others. Donn Olson has taken an old barn and converted it into a club house and hostel for cyclists. There are five rooms with two cots each. Upstairs is open with extra cots available, but more likely a dance hall or event venue. There is a shower, reported to be heated with solar. The kitchen is well stocked with food and drink. 2 bucks for a frozen pizza and 25 cents for a soda pop! You are on the honor system. There is plenty of kitchen ware to prepare your meal and you are asked to clean up after yourself. The 4 of us are still in awe, yet not as smelly and sweaty as before. We are sitting in comfort, replenishing our calorie deficit and wondering why aren’t we taking our rest day here. 

Thank you Donn Olson. 

P.S. oh, I almost forgot. We crossed the Mississippi River today! We are in the eastern US.