Bowlus, Minnesota to Dalbo, Minnesota - July 15, 2023

Crossing the Mississippi

This morning, we deviated from our usual routine and strolled over to Jordie’s Trail Side Cafe for breakfast. Larry joined us for what became a hearty meal. Jordie, who was working at the time, made sure to inform us about Donn’s Bicycle Bunkhouse, sixty-three miles along the route. We expressed our gratitude for the tip, then packed up our gear and hit the road around eleven o’clock.

Bowlus Campsite (Morning)

Not far from Bowlus, we crossed, and re-crossed, the Mississippi River, really absorbing the moment. This was a significant geographical milestone for me as I’ve now cycled from the Puget Sound (Salish Sea) in Washington State to this majestic North American river. It felt like the halfway point in my journey to bicycle across the country.

The Mississippi

Thirty miles in, we rolled into the parking lot of a building marked on our maps as a bar. We had hoped to grab a bite there, as it was the only feasible option in the area that fell within our first stretch's desired distance. However, it quickly became clear that we needed a plan B since the bar was under renovation. On a brighter note, there was a bench outside the building. Don and I unpacked our backup meals and had a modest lunch. The only real concern was that we each had less than one bottle of water left. The next gas station was roughly ten miles away, so we marked that as our next destination. As we head into northern Wisconsin and Michigan, we'll need to carry more water.

Under Renovation

Upon entering Foreston, we spotted D & L Express, a cafe and gas station. We purchased several drinks (coffee, Gatorade, Naked Juice) and some food. I worked on updating the blog during our break.

Working on the Blog (D & L Express)

We then set off for Donn Olson’s Bunkhouse, making a pit stop for more food at a Quik Trip along the way. Minnesota gas stations are more sophisticated than those where I live. They offer a decent selection of edible options and often provide seating areas.

Another sixteen miles down the road, we reached the Bunkhouse. I must say, it’s unlike anything I’ve encountered on a bicycle tour. Donn Olson has transformed his old barn into an ideal lodging for bicycle tourists. There are several rooms downstairs and a spacious area upstairs for sleeping, with cots provided. He also has outbuildings equipped with a restroom and shower. His boxes and refrigerators are filled with food (the prices are astonishingly low). You would really need to stay here to fully appreciate what he and his wife offers, free of charge, to those touring the country.

We concluded the evening by heading down to the Dusty Eagle, a restaurant/bar in Dalbo. There, we met up with Larry, whom we had planned to see at the Bunkhouse, but he had headed straight to the eatery. After enjoying a drink, we made our way back to Donn’s for the night.

On our return trip to the Bunkhouse, Don’s hydraulic rear brake malfunctioned. This issue, combined with a noisy problem with his bottom bracket, could pose some challenges moving forward.

We cycled a total of sixty-three miles today.