Day 34, Saturday, July 18, 2015, Mauston, WI to Fond du Lac, WI, 94 miles and 1800 feet of climbing.  Those who know me well (and perhaps not so well) are aware that I have a tendency to overuse a phrase or a line, so here goes: Today may have been one of the best days I ever spent on a bicycle!!  Last night a major thunderstorm rolled through the area and when we left, the storm front had just passed through and the skies were beginning to clear.  It was a great way to begin the day with a cool, dampness in the air and calming winds.  We spent the majority of the day I narrow country roads that twisted, turned, and rose and fell gently.  The majority of it was woodlands with a few farms and farm fields thrown in.  It was really quite idyllic, calm and very peaceful.  The miles just slipped on by and before I knew it I was on the outskirts of Fond du Lac navigating through street lights and traffic to our motel.  I had lots of thoughts today about what I have experienced over the 34 days, how fortunate I am to be able to do this and how sad I am to see it rapidly coming to an end.  It has really been a very “self indulgent” trip.  All I have had to do is ride my bike and get prepared to ride my bike again.  That’s all there has been to it.  Additionally, I have been able to do it with a pretty decent group of people who, despite our many differences, all share a love for bicycling.  It has been an awesome trip and I get to indulge myself for another 3 days.  So…..I had better close this posting and get ready to ride again tomorrow!!

 

Leaving Mauston, WI

 

Eric

 

Mark, Eric's Dad. This guy gets to do this ride with his son!  Apparently it was more of his son's idea though.  Mark is a geologist.  I have heard more about the geology of the areas we rode through than I had ever dreamed possible!! 

 

We rode through areas like this all day long.

 

The guy on the left knows more about anything than anybody!  Dennis (guy on the right) is a Presbyterian Pastor meaning that he only works 52 days a year and of that 6 of them are vacation days.  I have had a lot of fun with Dennis.  I can get him to curse at me quicker and more often than I can get Bro. Trav to do so!  Oh, have I had fun.  Earlier I introduced Pam aka Ms. EnthusiasmPlusPlus.  When this pic was taken I liked her as it was after 10:00 a.m.!!

 

No trip to Wisconsin is complete without stopping by for a Brat and the VFW hall.  Ummmm it was tasty!