Day 78 Hayward to Gordon Lake 90km

Ahhh! How I love to awake in a KOA campground, the thunderous snoring of our too close, and slightly odd neighbors, the roar of the traffic along the hwy, the barking of dogs kept too long on too short a leash... am I painting a picture here people? Kerstin and I make a pact to avoid KOA from now on. Despite the enthusiastic ringing of the breakfast bell by the KOA employees we enjoy ours homemade, and roll out of there as quickly as possible, with Kerstin's gears clicking madly. The New Moon Bike and Ski store welcomes us back with just as much enthusiasm as they greeted us yesterday, and within a few short moments Mrs Robinson is running smoothly, and we get an invitation to come back in the winter for cross country ski lessons and associated promises that I wouldn't be too cold! (this I find difficult to believe at -20F). Our route today, through the backroads of northern Wisconsin proves to be picture perfect, the sun shines with just the right intensity and we are basking in the green glow of sun through oak and aspen.


I had my bike fitness proved to me today, on the predominantly upwards slant of big rolling hills I find myself constantly surprised that my legs carry me up relatively easily, at 12-14 mph! I could even have overtaken Kerstin on some of those ups, which is much different from 10 weeks ago when she waited at the top while I sweated and panted at a snails pace. The town of Clam Lake does not have a grocery store as hoped, but Kerstin is content when the bar/bait shop/souvenir store sells ice cream. I think she is pretty brave eating it from a place that keeps containers of live leeches in the fridge with the beer and hotdogs! I am stoked to discover a dust covered rack of outdated postcards, originally printed a generation or so ago, I love a kitsch postcard! We head on to our intended campground, through more just gorgeous countryside, we can cope with a dinner out of all the snack items left in our food bag, but our spirits would take a hit if the campground by the lake were closed. The condition of the sign pointing the way to the 'Northern Lure' campground does not bode well, holding onto hope we follow the signs off the hwy and onto the winding roads around Lake Gordon, more beautiful views of a lake surrounded by green, and with a few extra miles and some twists and turns, happy that we didn't lose hope we roll into the bucolic Northern Lure! We are greeted with generous hospitality and interest, and invited to use the lake. An invite that needs no seconding, the water is almost warm, the setting is spectacular, and we are perfectly content.


The biggest bonus is the onsite restaurant and bar is open, so we indulge in some local beer, the local specialty of deep fried cheese curd and the all american pizza! The evening closes with the sun's goodbye over the lake, and a peaceful pair of cyclists thinking 'we are so lucky'.


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