The bike is good project began life in 2011 as a transcontinental bicycle adventure. As we pedalled from Seattle to Boston it grew into something even bigger. Life from the bike became life as we knew it, a way of engaging with the world that was much richer and honest than we had previously known. On our return to Australia we have tried to continue in the b.i.g. spirit, still happiest pedalling!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Day 76 Saint Croix to Cumberland 90km

Today we fell in love with Wisconsin! It may not have the big tourist attractions of big mountains, big rivers, big prairie or big desert, but it is beautiful in the small things. The small farms, the small towns, lots and lots of small lakes, it is quaint and romantic while still modern with a strong environment movement. We were charmed by old farmhouses and barns as we rode up and over the multitudes of small hills on the backroads. We met a family of wild turkeys, startled a couple of deer and spotted plenty of frogs, eagles and geese. And if this didn't provide enough entertainment the ever-changing cloud patterns were amazing.


Being back on the Adventure Cycling maps, we were hopeful of meeting some touring cyclists today, and just as we pulled into a tiny, middle of nowhere cemetery (always a good spot, grass, trees and water are pretty much guaranteed!), who else should roll in with exactly the same plan but a pair of local cyclists, spending their 2 weeks annual leave (that's all the poor Americans get!) bicycling around northern Wisconsin. It is always nice to meet other cycling tourists, and reassure ourselves that we are not crazy. The campground proves to be a little tricky to find, but our lack of patience could also be attributed to our empty bellies. On locating the campground the first order of business is a banana, a couple of bikkies and a glass of milk. Sanity returning we can assemble camp, and appreciate the fantastic location, shower and feeling like new women, put the kettle on for our traditional afternoon cuppa.


This leads to the discovery of three frogs who have gotten themselves stuck in our fire pit and stubbornly resist human rescue! Eventually I coax them one at a time into our cooking pot to be immediately released close to the lake by which we camp. The campsite only grows more idyllic as the sun begins to set over Beaver Lake, the geese fly above us in their V formation and the squirrels hop about in the grass.


As twilight falls we are treated to the other worldly sound of a pair of Loons on the lake, and straining eyes can see them as they fly low and fast over the water. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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