I flagged down a minivan and asked her about the bridge. Bicyclists ignore most detour signs because we are small and able to maneuver around most obstacles. This was 6 miles ahead and we didn't want to take any chances.
She called her mom ahead and asked about the bridge. "It's totally out?" I heard her repeat.
I had to relay the news to the boys and we pondered our options. In the end, we decided to follow the recommended route. Anyone Spotting our route must have really wondered about our choice. This added on about 13 miles to our journey.
We didn't let it get us down but continued on. After we rejoined our original route, a tandem team pulled up next to us.
"How did you manage the detour?" they asked.
"We followed the paved roads," we responded.
"We walked our bike across," they said.
My heart sank until they mentioned that the plank was only about 1 1/2 ft. wide and about 80 ft. long. They said that it wouldn't have worked had they had panniers. Zion has the trailer behind his bike so we made the right choice.
Near the end of the day we still had 10 miles to go and we were exhausted. I asked a mom out playing volleyball with her kids if we could camp in their yard.
"Of Course," she kindly replied with no hesitation.
They have a "smaller" piece of property, only 87 acres. We had a great flat place to pitch our tent and she ran out and bought all of us some Dairy Queen. Cedar loved exploring the pond and we didn't have to push on. Blessings.
Everywhere you guys go you meet people who give you food, let you camp in their yards, buy you ice cream!! Don't let the few naysayers bring you down. You've had an incredible journey and in the end you'll remember all the good people out there as it seems there are more of them than the others. (which to tell you the truth has surprised me).
ReplyDelete-Anne
i just tracked your location and actually u are not all that far from us---we are near the Vermilion/Yankton area----u are more than welcome to come this way-we have warm showers, good food, and a place to stay---you would even see some relatives that u probably have never met before---cord has cousins and an aunt here---curt can supply u with my e-mail/cell#'a if u decide to come this way--the area is just beautiful--espcially this time of year---safe travels and we are rooting for you all the way!!---jill--
ReplyDeleteYou are having such an amazing experience. I love your spirit of adventure. Can't wait to see the pics and hear the stories first hand when you get back.
ReplyDelete