For some reason, I have never liked rain. It doesn’t matter if I am in Hawaii, Anchorage, Tucson, or anywhere else in the world! Maybe it is the result of the ten summers I worked in “Wettier,” I mean Whittier. Anyway, as I rode north out of Madison, Wisconsin, Mother Nature decided I needed another refreshing rain storm. Just as the big rain drops started falling, I spotted The Missouri Tavern maybe 200 yards ahead of me. The tavern was closed, but as I rolled into the parking lot a lady was exiting the rear door. I asked her if I could take shelter under the covered deck! She said, “Why of course, no problem at all.” After the rain let up I knocked on the back door so I could thank her for the use of the deck shelter. Jeanette invited me, a perfect stranger, into the bar to visit. She offered me a glass of water, use of the restroom and we talked about our families and life in southern Wisconsin. I learned the history of The Missouri Tavern, her son’s distillery operation, his Apple Pie whiskey and her life in the area. Eventually the rain stopped completely and we said our goodbyes. Jeanette is yet another Giver I have encountered on this journey. Yes, there really are special people in this country.

Even though I detest rain, wild flowers, corn and alfalfa love a gentle rain. Flowers constantly remind me of the love of my life, Anita, so as I pedal along I always have her on my mind.

Wisconsin may be known for the Green Bay Packers and cheese curds, but the bicycle trails are fabulously! Back in 1873, the above trail and bridge were constructed by the Chicago and North Western railway. This particular trail, The Elroy-Sparta Trail, is 32miles long and most of the time I was totally alone.

Am I back in Whittier? No this is a 1,625 foot long former train tunnel that the Elroy trail now passes through! Top photo is the start and bottom photo is looking back at the entrance! Look closely and you can just make out the entrance, the tiny white dot. (The red is my blinking tail light.)  Water dripping down from ceiling, absolute total darkness, iPhone flashlight just to see one foot in front of my wheel, had to walk due to slippery wet trail, water on both sides of trail, and a temperature drop from 85 to 55! I am not claustrophobic, but entering the tunnel after reading the BAT advisory, I was a bit apprehensive! “I am on a journey to discover new and interesting things,” I kept telling myself! At the same time I was thinking back on my years as a teacher. “Man, this would be the ultimate school field trip!” Just imagine the creepy, scary, unimaginable tales I could tell the kids as we walked through the historic train tunnel! Critters lurking in the dark ahead and behind, slimy things in the water beside the trail, flying “things” above our heads watching our every move, what was making the trail so squishy, and bears LOVE deep dark caves! Oh come on now, do you really think this kind hearted man would ever do such things? I was kind of glad, but sad as well, to come to the end of the tunnel. Walking through the tunnel gives new meaning to the phrase, “Light at the end of the tunnel!

I know this is a long post, but I have good WiFi tonight, so just a few more reflections. There wasn’t cafe in Wilton, Wisconsin this morning, so I drank Motel coffee, ate a few Newtons and hit the road. At 9:00am I arrived in Norwalk only to find the cafe I had found on Google was out of business. As I was about to enter the trail I was to follow today, I noticed a sign for Bailey’s Diner! The diner didn’t open until 10:00, but the kind lady inside motioned for me to come on in. Talk about a surprise, but the tiny Bailey Diner was a small Mexican food diner. The waitress, daughter of the owner, spoke great English and gave me the paper menu which was written in Spanish! Oh how I wish my good friend Pedro had been with me instead of working on the dock in Whittier!  I recognized frijoles and burrito and as most of you know I LOVE bean burritos! Maria brought out the HOT green chili sauce and said, “Most people think this is too hot, but maybe you want to try it?” Almost as good as the Hatch green chili from Paco and Ma’s in Tucson! Maria even wrapped up a few extra handmade tortillas for my snack later in the day. I finished my ice cold bottle of Jarritos – Mango flavor, and using my limited Spanish said, “Adios and muchas gracias!” What a totally unexpected and welcome find in South Central Wisconsin!

“Can’t go over it, can’t go around it, gotta go under it!” I was able to push the front part of my bike through, climb over and then pull my bike the rest of the way! Oh the challenges of bicycle touring!

Back in the late 90’s as a driver/guide for Princess Tours, we were cautioned about “dash trash” by Kathy Pierce, Anchorage Transportation Manager. Well fast forward to 2019 and I have my own “dash trash.” The Fig Newtons fit perfectly on my handle bars and since I graze all day long, “dash trash” is allowed on this vehicle! (Also, if I stopped to munch, the tiny gnats/mosquitoes would attack both my Newtons and me. If I ride above 5 mph, the critters stay always!)

“Mississississ… oops, too many crooked letters! Snowstorm and I have crossed the mighty Mississippi River and are in La Cresent, Minnesota! My next post will hopefully include photos of a very special person in my life’s! Stay tuned for!

As always, thanks for your comments, support and motivation! I am doing the pedaling, but all of you are giving me the mental strength to keep on pedaling!

PS. (I even ate cheese curds last night and they were like eating crusty melted cheese!)

Greg