Yesterday my waterproof panniers leaked again. The biggest victim was my 39 year old paperback copy of The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test.
The clerk at the motel gave me a roll of 8 plastic bags to put my stuff in so I don’t think there will be any more water problems.
Yesterday The Mule passed another milestone. 47,000 miles. He gets extra oats tonight.
After eating mass quantities at the hotel breakfast bar, I hit the road from Prairie du Chien thinking I had 77 miles to ride. It turned out to be 63.5, all on Wisconsin’s Great River Road along the Mississippi River. The river is mostly a protected area in these parts so there wasn’t much motor boat noise. The road, a two lane highway, wasn’t nearly as peaceful. There were trains every 20 or 30 minutes, and car and truck traffic which increased throughout the day.
I could occasionally see the terrain in the western side of the river. It was very hilly. I cruised along headed north with a tailwind. River and railroad to my left, bluffs to my right. It was hazy until 12 a.m. so the views were rather muted. I can’t complain. Tailwind, riding in the shade, temps in the 70s.
I pulled into a gas station. The sign indicated I was in Wisconsin. For the record I have yet to try cheese curds. They are to Wisconsin what boiled peanuts are to North Carolina.
A few other signs caught my eye during my ride.
The views were well worth the increasing traffic as the day wore on.
At 3 I arrived in La Crosse Wisconsin which is only 62 miles from Prairie du Chien. With rain approaching I once again forgot about camping and headed for a hotel. Apparently La Crosse is a happening place this weekend. Most hotels in town that I could afford were sold out. The desk clerk at the sold out Courtyard found me a hotel that had a vacancy. It’s called Settle Inn. It’s still being built but what’s finished is quite nice.
There’s a guest laundry which was very much in need. And there is a restaurant next door.
Speaking of next door, Minnesota is now across the river. Iowa it was nice knowing you.
On to Minnesota!
Today’s miles: 63.5
Total so far: 1,407.5
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
Sounds like all life’s pleasures came together today—tailwind, temps, views, a place to stay, and clean laundry. Take it easy on the cheese curds. Those of us that didn’t grow up eating them have found that they are not the world’s best cycling fuel. Hope tomorrow is even better.
After check in, a weather emergency cane over the Internet. Severe thunderstorm warning with damaging hail. I guessed right again.
That “No Fish Guts” pic really cracked me up, haha!
Have fun in Minnesota!
Everywhere I go has a slightly quirky local thing like No Fish Guts and cheese curds.
Congrats Mule! 50K can’t be far off.
If it doesn’t kill me first. We should hit 49,000 before this shindig is over