Downtown Saint Cloud
I start riding at 8:15am on a cool and cloudy day. I look around Saint Cloud to see how their Downtown area feels. I notice there are railroad tracks running right through here. Here is a picture of 7th Avenue in Downtown Saint Cloud.
Mississippi leaving Saint Cloud
There's a headwind out of the north that makes the day feel so cold that snot will run down your nose. Let this be a lesson to you - don't ride like I do. Be smart and stay home, drink warm beverages, and watch TV. That's just not me. I'm headed into the danger zone.
Sauk Rapids Park
There's a beautiful park along the Mississippi in Sauk Rapids (just outside of Saint Cloud in Benton County). It's always nice when communities use their riverfront property for parks.
Beautiful Scenery
The scenery along the Mississippi, just north of Saint Cloud, is quite pretty. This is an area with lakes near the river that makes for pleasant cycling.
Bend In The River Regional Park
I ride past Bend In The River Regional Park. As you can imagine, the Mississippi makes a big U turn at this point. Soon I cross back over the Mississippi into Stearns County. This is a nice stretch along te Mississippi as I cross over into Morrison County and then pass by the Charles Lindberg State Park, where he grew up.
Lindberg has received criticism in that, in the months before the United States entered World War II, Lindbergh's non-interventionist stance and statements about Jews and race led some to believe he was a Nazi sympathizer, although Lindbergh never publicly stated support for the Nazis and condemned them several times in both his public speeches and personal diary. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and German declaration of war against the U.S., Lindbergh avidly supported the American war effort. You be the judge (the above is from Wikipedia).
Lunch in Little Falls
I have some home cookin' in Little Falls at a place where they only take cash or checks. As you can imagine, this establishment is not run by Gen Z owners. I mean, if they wanted home cookin', they'd go home. I enjoy my meal and a break from the cool windy weather.
Little Falls Mural
There is this nice mural on the main drag of Little Falls. My old touring bike seems to blend in quite nicely.
Mississippi from Little Falls
Here's a view of the Mississippi from the bridge in Little Falls.
Mississippi from Little Falls
As I head east, away from the Mississippi, the roads become hillier. It has also started to rain lightly, off and on, making this ride slower. Now there is both a head wind and some rain. However, this is some of my favorite riding. This is a remote rural county road and it's a great way to see the area.
Cows
Finally some cows on this journey. Every bike tour should include some cows. Notice there is some sun on these cows. There is this rain and sun alternating weather occurring on the last part of today's route. The roads are getting wetter and I'm starting to run short on time. I decide is time to focus on riding and getting to Brainerd before dark. I make it.