East. Day 62.

August 8, 2016

Amherst to Brillion, Wisconsin

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We didn't leave our campsite at Emily Lake until after 9:00 a.m. While stopped at the restroom to fill our water bottles, Steve coaxed Everett to try riding his bike.

Poor Everett. His leg could not clear the load strapped on the rear rack. He leaned the bike almost all the way over (with our help) to step over the crossbar. His push-off was shaky. Perched atop Steve's well-broken in leather Brooks saddle, his feet barely reached the pedals.

"Whoa," Everett exclaimed as he made a wide turn and dismounted in a controlled drop of the bike.

"Want to try mine?" I asked.

"Ah, no."

Wisconsin terrain was much like my beloved northeastern Michigan--roller-coaster hills, farm fields, scattered stands of forest. With greater rolling weight (and maybe some fairing advantage against the slight east wind), I pulled ahead on the downhills.

My glee at having road companions surprised me. With a little less push on the descents, Everett and Matt stayed right on my wheel. <smile>

We arrived in Brillion at about 7:00 p.m. Steve made everyone happy when he pointed us to the Brillion Dairy Queen, but it still wasn't clear where we were staying for the night. In North Dakota and Montana, it seemed you could pitch a tent anywhere.

"We'll find a city park," Steve said.

"I'm not sure camping is allowed in Wisconsin," I said.

"We'll be fine," Steve insisted.

And we were.

No postcard from the road this day, but Karen posted this to her "Special Weekend" album on her Facebook page:

One of the truly great things about holding our annual Northwoods Puppy Camp for Leader Dog puppy raisers is the opportunity to see hard work pay off for our puppy raisers, and to enjoy and treasure the company of each other as volunteer counselors, helping our groups of puppy raisers. This year was extra special in that Patti Brehler, who is nearing the end of an epic bike trip from eastern Michigan to Missoula MT and back, wheeled into our driveway the evening before Puppy Camp, and spent several days with us.

Photo and caption by Karen: "The ever useful and multipurpose Leader Dog puppy bag!" (My food bag.)