East. Day 54.

August 1, 2016

Pelican Rapids to Chippewa County Park, Brandon, Minnesota

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I kept Andy's photo on my phone from the day I left.

Aching knees, not my bladder, woke me in the dead of night. A couple of ibuprofen sent the aches away by morning. Tired after 80 miles the day before, I splurged on breakfast at the Muddy Moose.

Pelican Rapids was neat and alive, and not so trendy or touristy to put me off. But it had pelicans. Or at least a famous one. The town's most photographed attraction was a 15 1/2 foot steel and plaster statue of Pete the Pelican. Erected in 1957, Pete was toured to be the world's largest pelican. And I never saw him.

Ah, well.

Pelicans aside, what I found most interesting was Pelican Rapids' diverse population (of almost 2500). During my two days at Sherin-Memorial Park, numerous people strolled by speaking in heavy accents or foreign languages. Evidently, a huge turkey processing plant drew workers from all over. It was comforting to witness people living together. Rural northern, midwest, and western American is pretty white.

Fortified, but lead-legged, I set off. In a headwind. Of course. It was a coaster ride into Fergus Falls, where I picked up the Central Lake Trail. Gone was the prairie. Passing lakes, forests, and farms felt like coming home.

Bliss. I looked forward to two days of no traffic or steep hills.

At Brandon, it was back on the road for a couple of miles to the Chippewa County Park campground. The wind gave me a little boost. Nice.

I had the place to myself. By the time I set up and showered, I was ravenous. Half a package of vanilla wafer cookies down before dinner was cooked. And what a dinner!

Original Facebook post:

Postcard from the road. August 1, 2016, Brandon, MN.

The grocery store in Brandon, population 489, may not seem like much to someone used to super-sized city markets, but compared to the C-stores I often have to scrounge in, it was Nirvana.

I ate everything.

Wondering about the boys, I texted Steve, "Made it to Chippewa County Park in Brandon. The trail is nice, even with the wind. Supposed to change tomorrow!"

He answered, "What a day! I will tell you all about it tomorrow, but right now I'm going to sleep in a bed at someone's home in Fergus Falls. Great night."

During our goodnight call, I said to Andy, "I must be getting lonesome or homesick or something, the way I am latching on to other riders."

At first, I was overwhelmed by the nine riders at the Honey Hub in Gackle, but later got excited to travel with Robin and Loren and Steve and the boys.

I continued, "I was disappointed when I got to Enderlin alone, but glad when Steve and the boys showed up. And then I felt bad yesterday when I pushed into Pelican Rapids and they didn't make it. Tonight they are staying at someone's house in Fergus Falls."

A good listener, Andy.