Wisonsin

Leaving Wisconsin
SS Badger 4 hour Ferry Ride

Before get on the Ferry I called my Daughter Angela she said Mom are you Nerves I said NO . Then I thought should I be????

The ferry ride was quite an experience. It included opportunities to view movies, eat, watch TV, eat, sleep in the quiet room, eat and just enjoy all the lake views. I loved the feeling of walking around on the deck with the rolling motion of the waves underneath. However, Carol and Barbara were both relieved when our four hour trip was over.When we first went aboard they both sat in the booth reading there books.
Thanks to Caryn Arsta who donated us this beautiful room at the Super 8.She had shared with me that she wanted to donate this room not because of Habitat for Humanity but because we were CHRISTIANS doing Gods, work. This is our last night in Wisconsin.
The storm came with lightening bolts,I don't ride in the Lightening so I got rescued by ______________. 10 miles from You do what you've got to do in the face of a serious storm.We are grateful to be warm and dry once again.

WISCONSIN
Pam with Barb Seegers and Colleen Laha,

Freedom WI

When I first arrived in Freedom Wi. It was starting to get HOT outside and no motels in town the church there would not put us up so I walked across the street to town hall and met Barb, and Colleen. Colleen was going to let us stay at her home until our accommodations for the night were in a vacant apartment. This was donated by Tom and Mary Murphy. It had everything we needed including kitchen, beds and bathroom. When we arrived and let ourselves in with our temporary key,
Bowler WI
Pastor Dave Dukovan, Lutheran Church Bowler, WI

Pastor Dave Dukovan of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. I had found him sitting outside the church in his back yard. He was very helpful . I got to get copies of the biking maps so I could have something to look at. Since I did not have maps until here.

Bunny Rabbit
Ralph and Sharon Walentowski. with family,

Crandon WI

I had made contact with The Walentowski before the tour and I was not for sure if the girls would ride 10 more miles, I talked them into it. Ralph and Sharon immediately welcomed us into their home and family. Sharon plied us with delicious homemade food and cold drinks. They also had their son, daughter in law and granddaughter staying with them while we were there. Sharon and Ralph kept everyone entertained and happy.we die get to go to the church on Sunday and what a treat. Carol went with me to take the Lord's Supper ,

Eagles' nest, Lake Metonga, Crandon WI

Then Ralph and his son Randy took us out in their boat on Lake Metonga. We went across the water to view a huge eagle's nest, with three eagles in residence. Through the binoculars we could see the adults feeding on a fish. They had one juvenile in the nest who looked like it was flexing its wings, getting ready to fly.

Before Crandon WI

Boulder Junction WI

Not what you think????

http://www.bigbearhideaway.com/
http://www.bigbearhideaway.com/

http://www.bigbearhideaway.com/

http://www.bigbearhideaway.com/

Jeff and Donna Stadelmann, owners

We had a lovely visit with Jeff's partner Donna who told us their motto is "we're here to say yes." We are here to say we are feeling incredibly grateful...again.Jeff had shared with me that he wanted to do something nice to help people out in the future, And then he got a phone call from me. There is a picture in the office that Donna had got for Jeff. It was a a man sterring a boat and God watching over him. Jeff said as long as God is in charge of him and Guilding him , He will be grateful. He is a new Christian. Once again God has put Jeff into our path.

Pam with Bill Brockman at Big Bear Hideaway

Boulder Junction

When Carol and Barbara arrived close to town they noticed a fancy resort BIG BEAR HIDEAWAY. Rustic Luxury. It looked inviting and way too expensive for us so we continued pedaling. Then Carol spotted Pam's bike in the front. We made a U turn and discovered our luxury home for tonight. I had spoken to Bill Brockman, the manager. He called Jeff Stadelmann the owner who gave us the last cabin available. It is more than we could have imagined. It is stocked with all the comforts including cold drinks and snacks. We went from happily sleeping in the church basement to Ultimate Luxury.

Vivian Ernst, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Butternut WI

At Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, we were met by Vivian Ernst who is the church secretary. She showed us where to park our bikes, shower, do laundry and bed down in the church basement. She even organized food for our breakfast. The only thing we miss in Butternut is a grocery store. The only grocery store is closing tomorrow, for good. We stopped in and the shelves are on sale. We did find an excellent meal at Jumbo's, the town restaurant.

Sandhill Cranes
When Carol and Barbara arrived in Hayward, I had got a free night at the Lac Courte Oreilles Lodge, which is an Indian gaming casino. Whatever our opinions of gambling, we have an excellent room, great food and no complaints.
Rice Lake WI

When we arrived in Cumberland, we met up with people from Habitat for Humanity who were driving us to Rice Lake, 20 miles away and off of our route, to stay with Doug and Mattie Pitts. . Between a small truck and a station wagon, we, three bicycles and many bags were on our way to Rice Lake. Pam's bicycle was tied to the back of the pickup.

My Street
We were given a tour of some Habitat homes in Cumberland and even met Magritte Graf's (She had met me for lunch while we were waiting for the other 2 riders to show up to get a ride to Rice Lake off route. )family, who live in one of the homes. It was quite rewarding to meet the 5 children and Magritte who are so happy to have their own home. Magritte and her husband are working to individualize it for their own needs and all are thrilled to be out of a three-bedroom apartment.
We were treated to a lovely dinner by Habitat. Pat, the volunteer secretary, accompanied us and told us which Wisconsin dishes we needed to try. Her top recommendation was Mexican deep fried ice cream. We were also joined by Barbara's longtime friend Patty McCrery
Josie, Doug and Mattie Pitts, North Shore Resort

RICE LAKE, WI

The home of Doug and Mattie Pitts at the North Shore Resort on Rice Lake. Their resort cabins were all booked and they put us up in their own home, in their own bedroom. After discussing our next day's route and visiting with Doug, Mattie and their daughter, Josie, we fell asleep, in separate rooms.




Sunset in WI
Wildflowers in WI
At all the homes for Fire Dept to locate address
one of many beautiful barns in WI

Dalles
Dalles
Dalles

Pastor Alan

I had contacted Pastor Alan and he got Doris to put us up whenever we got into town.

Doris Simenstad, Osceola WI

We felt so welcomed by Doris Simenstad. She graciously opened her lovely home to us. She was ready to do anything we asked, from offering us cold drinks, to hot showers, to a dip in the front-yard pool. We enjoyed a delicious snack of locally made Wisconsin Gouda cheese as we gazed out the windows through a screen of trees overlooking the St. Croix River, which runs behind her backyard. Doris shared the Osceola town history with us. Her late husband was a physician here. She showed us the town history book her husband, Dr. John Simenstad, had authored. He even has a town bluff named in his honor because he was instrumental in preserving this open space from development.

Doris felt the hike up to the bluff would be more than we would want to tackle, so she drove us to St. Croix Falls to see the St. Croix Dalles. These are the bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River where it flows through Osceola between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The views were breathtaking. We were so grateful that she suggested this trip to us. We had no idea what beauty is in this area.

Minnesota

Minnesota (Men-a-soda)
after 2000 miles.... mutiny begins the other 2 riders did not want to do any more long mileage.......the Whining begins
Debbie and Bruce Cochran, Milaca, MN
Debbie and Bruce Cochran,home in Milaca, MN

I arrived in Milaca and went to church where I was adopted by Bruce and Debbie Cochran. Debbie asked me jokingly if I liked to arrange furniture. I jumped right in on their home and Bruce said it does look better. One of my favorite pastimes is arranging furniture. Barbara said...Man, that's impressive after riding 74 miles. I was happy to have a hot shower.Debbie has invited us to have dinner tonight, breakfast tomorrow morning

Pastor Bakewicz and Karen, home in Long Prairie MN

I did not have a contact in Long Prairie and arrived with no place to stay. By the time the girls caught up with me in town, we had been invited to stay in the private home of Pastor Bill Bakewicz and his wife Karen of the Lutheran Church. They live outside of town approximately 5 miles and when we arrived with appetites for lunch we were treated to home made venison sausage.When we 3 girls got up at 4:00am I fixed a piece of toast and it was thin bread with a hole in it, It set off the fire-alarm which i could not reach to fan, Karen came running out of her room I was so embarrassed......no more toast for Pam.
Loon at Glendalough State Park
Wild rice is native to Minnesota
Battle Lake MN
Craig and Wendy Molstad have generously donated 2 nights lodging at their "Battle Lake Motel" so we have a day off. Craig is the executive director of the regional office of Habitat for Humanity in this area. He has spearheaded the building of one Habitat house each year for the nine years he has been in this position. Wendy runs the motel as well as being a busy mom of Gunnar and Georgia.
Craig has taken the time to give us a tour of Glendalough State Park and the Battle Lake Community. In the park we spotted Loons, Red Ring Pheasant, huge Mayflies, even wild rice growing in the lake. Craig interviewed us for an article for the local paper AND he is sacrificing by getting up at "0 dark thirty" to get a picture of us ready to ride.
3 of us biking chicks

I seen lots of trucks moving dirt. This is why....
GeeseLarge Yard ART
Buffalo
This man was from Fargo, When I stop for breakfast he wanted to pay for mine . He said Its nice that your out doing God's work. and wanted to thank me.

One of many Churches that I seen, I liked this one . Kristin Johnson, Family Minister, Glyndon, MN

We are extremely grateful to Kristin Johnson for hosting us tonight in the Lutheran Church in Glyndon, MN
Jen of Island Park Cycles, Fargo ND

She got my bike all ready to roll on......
Ducklings at the sugar factory

Fargo , Minnesota

There was an awesome bike shop in downtown Fargo, Island Park Cycles. There were five mechanics and they had recently relocated the 20 year old store to larger quarters in an old railroad depot.
From Depot to Bike Shop