East. Day 58.

August 5, 2016

Burkhardt to Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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At my first stop in Baldwin, sitting on a wooden park bench outside a gas station store, I drank my daily Gatorade. And made a phone call.

In two days it will be the first anniversary of Dad's death. I decided to send Mom an orchid (the flower Dad liked to give her), hoping it wouldn't make her feel worse. I could not bear to do nothing. I wished I was there with her. At least I could let her know I was thinking of her.

"We have planters for $42, or one flower in a clear glass cube for $34," the woman at the florist shop said. "And yes, we can get it to her on the 7th, no problem."

I ordered a planter with a purple flower.

I imagined Mom sitting alone in Dad's old chair and could not imagine her pain.

My original Facebook post:

Postcard from the road. 8/5/16 Eau Claire, WI.

US12 east of Hersey suddenly became baby-butt smooth. Gone were the bumpity, bumpity, bumps on the narrow shoulder of old pavement.

I felt as connected to the earth as the turkey vulture that circled on currents high above the hardwood forest.

The 15 miles winding down from the Knapp Hills into Menomonie was perhaps the finest stretch of road I have ever graced rubber on.

Of course, it didn't hurt to have a bit of a tailwind, too.

Me, at the Menomonie, WI Visitor Center, thankful for a glorious downhill ride into town.

When I arrived at Karen's I was greeted like a celebrity. Karen was hosting a training session for LDB puppy counselors, led by Deb Donnelly. They all welcomed me with open arms, eager to hear my stories. And soon distracted by preparations.

I was staying for the weekend. Imagine--no pedaling for two days.

I rode with Deb to the training facility that evening. It was strange to be in a van and traveling so fast. I remembered my almost-panic in Erika's car back in Missoula, driving to the REI. I concentrated on catching up with Deb.

During our trips to the UP prisons, Deb always wanted to try pasties. I begged her off, "No, you'll have to try mine. They are much better." I got the chance the previous winter when I brought all the fixings to her house during a downstate visit with Mom.

"Deb, I'm thinking of taking a trip this summer," I broached. I had not told Leader Dog yet that I would be unable to visit the prisons for three months. And no one knew about my previous life and relationship with bicycles. "I've always wanted to take what I call my 'Forrest Gump' ride," trying to keep my explanation short. "And then I found out about this 40th-anniversary celebration of a ride I did in 1976. With Dad gone, and Mom in relatively good health, and, to be honest, turning 60 this year, I thought this might be the right time to do another long ride. So, I'm going to ride my bike to Missoula, Montana, and back."

She didn't hesitate. With a wide smile, she said, "You rock! Go for it!"

It was great connecting with Deb via Facebook during my ride, but even better to reconnect in person. Thanks for believing in me, Deb!