Though our route was not as scenic as what we have been experiencing, we accomplished a lot on our journey. When we arrived in Cambridge, I spotted a place where Pam was able to get her cell phone repaired and get reinstated among the living. She is so happy. We also saw another bike shop, which was closed. As we were about to leave, the owner came by and opened up the shop just for us. He pronounced Pam's chain healthy, sold us some bright rear reflector lights and we were happily on our way.
We were excited to cross the St. Croix River into Osceola, WI. The states seem to be coming along faster. Of course they would be because they are getting smaller. We spent time taking pictures of "Welcome to Minnesota", and "Welcome to Wisconsin". There were beautiful signs announcing the St. Croix River, unlike the anonymous crossing of the Mississippi we had crossed.
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 Simenstad, Osceola WI
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.
After a fabulous homemade dinner, which included Doris's signature "Hot Dish" (casserole), we are getting ready for tomorrow's adventure.
Oh, and in honor of crossing into America's most famous dairy-state:
3 comments:
Okay, from one COE to another, how was the homemade gouda cheese -- oh, it wasn't homemade, was it? It was locally made. Well, could you tell a difference?
Boy some people are sure productive, a physician, a writer, and a perserver of the environment. How do people find time -- well,more like energy and motivation for all they do with their lives?
Sounds like Doris has an amazing piece of property. So who knows? Maybe you'll go back and take the trip along the bluffs and river. I've heard lots of stories about how beautiful Minnesota is. I didn't realize Wisconsin was also. Yeah, there's so much of this country I know nothing about, and you're getting to really experience it. Sounds great. Also, good job finding a route over 20 miles shorter. But whether it's 72 or 94, they both sound difficult and long to me.
Hilary
oops, PREserver.
Them thar animules don't look like no dairy cows. You can't fool me! Nosiree.
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