Day 25!

De Smet, SD to Tyler, MN - 81.0 miles, 5:55

I've decided that the Jet Stream, which carries air currents from west to east, is a big myth. We've been riding our bikes toward the east for 21 days now, and I think we've had only a couple days with tailwinds. Most of the time we've had headwinds. I was hoping that the Jet Stream would gently push me to the east, but NO! I'm having to actually do physical WORK to get my body eastward!

This morning I woke up at 5:00, and looked out and saw lightning in the distance. I hurried to pack my tent and all my things into the truck before rain came, and I made it. Others were not so lucky. By the time I got to the church (a block away) for breakfast, it was raining hard. We all waited until the storm passed before we got out on the road, and we rode in the cool morning air for a couple hours.
Then, the storm decided to pass our way again, and I was soaked. My gloves, shoes, jacket, clothes . . . everything was wet. BUT, riding in cool rain is much better than riding in hot, hot weather, so it was a pretty good morning! (Note to Mother Nature: Just so you know, I'd really prefer cool DRY weather . . . )

I was riding with Janet for the first part of the day, and we pulled into a gas station in the little town of Volga, SD to get out of the rain for a few minutes. After I squeezed the water out of my gloves and my socks, the rain stopped! Rosie joined us, and we were off to Brookings in search of real food (i.e. something withOUT peanut butter and jelly!).

In Brookings, which is a nice South Dakota college town, we found Sam, the Cheeto guy,
an interesting house,
and good Mexican food. Then, it was off to Minnesota, our sixth state! These are views of eastern South Dakota.

Janet and Rosie on a photo break.

As soon as you cross the border into Minnesota, you see calming wind generators, hear crickets (or cicadas or something), encounter gentle rolling hills, and learn that the state roadkill is the skunk.

This was one of the nicest days of riding I've had in a while. I've decided that it was due to the cool rain and lack of heat, the company I rode with, and the fact that I've entered Lake Woebegone country. Now, we're in the town of Tyler, MN, which is known for its Aebleskiver Festival.

I wonder if I can get one to go.