On The Banks of The Mississippi

On Monday July 15 we find ourselves on the banks of the Mississippi River in Winona Minnesota.  It seems like we have truly left the rural and sparsely populated west behind us for good.  Today we rode 90.2 miles from Owatonna to Winona Minnesota.  Much of the ride was on busy Highway 14.  The first part of the ride was pretty much like the last few days of riding, fairly flat and treeless.  The last part of the ride, as we approached the Mississippi River Valley, was more like what you would expect to see in Vermont, rolling hills covered with deciduous trees.  Today was also one of the warmest and most humid days of the ride so far.  This is a sign of things to come as we head farther east.  We reached the 2000 mile mark on the ride today in St. Charles.   Tonight we are staying in the dorm at Winona State University.  Air conditioned...a comfy mattress...clean linens...we are in the lap of luxury!  Tomorrow we ride across the Mississippi and into Wisconsin.

Me at the 2000 Mile Point in the Ride

Clean Fuel Factory in Claremont Minnesota