Grand Rapids, to McGreger, MN

Sunday, September 7, 2003
Distance Cycled: 51 miles
Total elevation gain: 415 feet

This morning Becky left on an airplane headed home at 5:45 AM. The Motel 8 did an excellent job taking care of us. They even gave Becky hot waffles, one hour early, so she could have a good breakfast before her trip. The sun was again shining and it looked like a great day to go bicycle riding. We decided to head to McGreger instead of Aitkin as originally planned, as it would cut over 20 miles off the route and we would still be following the river most of the way. We left the motel at 8:30 and traveled by back streets until we got onto our route.

We traveled south alongside the Mississippi River. The road was newly paved with 6 foot shoulders and very little traffic. It was a perfect road although we never saw the Mississippi River until we came to Jacobsen, because the river was hidden behind trees.

At Jacobsen we crossed the river and ate lunch in a little park, using food we carried on our bicycles. The park looked like it doubled as a small golf course. We then continued south on Hwy 65. As the day progressed, the temperature and wind increased as the traffic increased. Most of the traffic was going south, the same direction that we were traveling. They were heading back to Minneapolis pulling their boats or ATV vehicles on trailers behind their cars, trucks, or motor homes. The later in the day, the more vehicles that passed us. As we approached McGreger, we saw a Winery. Ann and Gary stopped and bought a bottle of wine, which was promptly opened by Ann, Gary, and Mary Kay. After we all took showers, and washed clothes, we walked back to the winery where Mary Kay sampled some of the wines, and we bought some syrup. We then walked back to towards the motel but stopped at the restaurant next door and ate supper. After supper we returned to the motel.