Yes Emily

Yes Emily, girls can ride motorcycles!


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Still in Minnesota - Rain delay


They like motorcyclists here and only charge $13. per night with electric (tell your friends!)

The K in KOA must stand for Korn here in Minnesota – cause, from this campsite, that’s all you can see for miles.
  
 
My wet little tent and bike under very cloudy skies.

I woke up this morning to the sound of crashing thunder and rain pounding on my little tent.  I love the sound of rain on the roof especially when I’m dry and cozy inside.  My motto, from the start has been, if I don’t have to get wet I won’t, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.  Not so the Beemer rider;  the one who rode in last night looking all Charlie Boormanish, riding with no gear or helmet, standing as he rode, like he was riding into Africa (come on, it’s a gravel drive and some freshly mown grass).  He left this morning amidst the crashing and booming of thunder and the torrent of rain, like he had somewhere to be or something to prove.  I covered my head with my sleeping bag and wondered if they’d have a cabin I could upgrade to, to dry out my tent and relax in.  When the rain finally slowed down to an, ‘it’ll just get you damp’ sprinkle, around 9:30 or so, I wandered over to the camp office to ask if they had coffee and a Kabin. They had both – so I booked the Kabin, chose my cuppa from the Keurig selection and went back to my tent.

My morning cuppa - brewed just for me
I tried to go for a walk but didn’t get too far before the sky opened again so I decided it was a great opportunity to do the laundry. Probably the last time I’ll do laundry on the road. I looked at the map for a bit and got a second cup of coffee, thinking how it was just one week ago that we (the iMBC folks) were sitting around chatting in Bob and Richard’s sunny back yard - Another Sunday, another day of rest day.
The sky cleared, sort of, and it was like a sauna here. I rode into the little town of Albert Lea ‘cause Dan said there was a Wallymart there and I needed some more fruit and cash besides, it was the best way I knew of to dry out the leather gloves that I’d left on the bike last night. I picked up a take home burger from The Green Mill Restaurant and came back to eat and watch the almost deserted campsite fill up again for another night. The tent was dry and I stuffed it into its sack, ate my burger and here I am … dry again and ready to continue east tomorrow, rain or shine - but I’m sure it will be shining.  


10 comments:

  1. Karen:

    I could get used to $13.00 per night. Someone once said that I am a KOA wannabee. I even went to an outfitters today to look at sleeping bags with lower temperature ratings. My teeth were chattering in Waldport, Oregon. It was 12°c and my bag was rated for 7°c and I was very chilly. I had to put clothes on

    I am not sure how far you have to ride to get home. Anyway safe travels

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. Bob I found my sleeping bag fell short - a few degrees of separation between when I was cold and when I should have been cold.
      I've about 2,200+/- km to go (lost today, but gained some rest). Am booking sites, gotta be home by Friday, it's Creek Night!

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  2. I've already pre-ordered your dinner for you at the Creek. Looking forward to seeing you later this week.
    Barbara

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  3. There's no turning back now - I've prebooked every night (rain or shine) so I'm motel 6ing on the way home (no time for drying out the tent). See You Friday.

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  4. Hard to believe it has been a week.

    I am glad you were able to have a day to relax and dry out the gear. At least you were warm and dry in your tent.

    Almost home. What will you do with your time when you get home? It will be weird for you not to be on the bike all day every day.

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    1. I know, a week already. It will be odd to sleep in my own bed, but I've already got a little trip planned for Saturday - Westport ON to an antique car show. But the bike will be sans gear and the lighter weight will take some adjusting to. (Maybe I should fill the bags with rocks.) Or, maybe I just won't unpack when I get home.

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  5. Ride safe Karen! Wishing you sunny skies & good riding temperatures.

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    1. Thanks Dar - so far so sunny! I really think the weather fairies ride with me.

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  6. What a fun it must be to roam free, not running on the clock. Oh, wait, that's over now you gotta be home by Friday. Safe continued travels home. It was so good meeting you, and I am impressed with the mileage you and your bike seem to rack up so effortlessly.

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    1. It was great to meet you as well Sonja - Saturday will be oh such a 'reality' shock to me! My little VStar fits me well and thus the kilometers seem to zip by comfortably. She is my 4th bike - I think I have finally found true love! (the camping gear makes a perfect back rest too!)

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