The first 1000 miles

Today we reached the 1000 mile mark of our trip. We are estimating that it could be somewhere between 10-12,000 miles total. Tonight we are in Lake Elmo, MN just northeast of Minneapolis/St Paul. This is a really nice campground with the cleanest showers we have ever seen. The ride today can be described in two words HOT and HILLY. Our thermometer on the bike said 96 degrees. Climbing the hills there was no wind at all. The route went back across the river to WI and then crossed again at Prescott, WI. There wasn't much traffic on the roads. Today we finished up one of the Adventure Cycling maps that we have been using. You can check out their routes at http://www.adventurecycling.org/. We bought some more maps at a gas station and are now heading towards Avon, MN to visit a friend. From there we plan to turn west and go through South Dakota to Mt Rushmore. Then northwest to Great Falls, MT and Glacier Park. West by way of Spokane, and Seattle before heading south through Portland, OR and stopping at Corvallis, OR to spend time with Hap's family. So that's the plan, we'll see what develops!

Since this was our 1000 mile day we thought we would summarize the trip for you. There's been some wind (side, front, tail, swirly), some rain, some hills, some flat, lots of cornfields, two tornados (they missed), no flat tires, some rear wheel spoke loosening problems (fixed), communication problems between captain and stoker (apparently one of us can't hear!), lots of hot and some cold weather, some very friendly people. Every day has been an adventure and God has been wherever we are!

Someone sent an anonymous email asking about the red bandana. There's a funny story behind that. It was a gift from Dugan as we were leaving home. That bandana has been on every ride with him since he started riding a few years ago. He always kept it tied on the front handlebars. Since we are riding for Dugan it seems right that the bandana is riding with us. I am not sure Dugan expected it to show up in all of the places that you have seen it. So keep watching for the bandana. We just have to keep it safe for the next yea! And everytime you see it, remember that if Dugan can get out to ride his bike with his 29% lung function, his oxygen tanks and his NEW bandana then what are you waiting for! GO TEAM ALPHA! http://www.alphaone.org/