Trumpeter swans and a cute little one too!

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement=ABNJB02030#:~:text=Minnesota's%20swan%20reintroduction%20efforts%20began,nest%20throughout%20much%20of%20Minnesota.

Don't count on it, Led.

Greg looks really happy in Wisconsin, he'll be cheering for the Green Bay Packers next.

Good on Greg.

Wow! So neat of Greg to welcome you into Minnesota... what a surprise! And do keep the barn pics coming. They’re a must see! Take care.

Keep those barn pics coming! Love the green cornfields.

Greg;

It was great meeting you today! You coming out to meet us on the road was the highlight of our day. It's good to actually meet someone you "know" from online, and it feels good knowing that someone is actually following the journal. You should ride out and "intercept" others that are passing through as well - they will be glad you did!

I looked at your Cycle365 post of today - that looks like an interesting site for when I'm not touring. And we will definitely try to look ahead by researching your "Greg's Questionable Judgement" journal here on CycleBlaze. Best of luck,

Buddy Hall

Hello, Buddy and Doc,

It was great to meet you two and I enjoyed our roadside chat. As I said probably too many times, I wish you the best on the rest of your tour. If interested, you can read a little bit about what's ahead of you on my "Greg's Questionable Judgement" journal here on CycleBlaze. I also wrote about what's behind you on the "America's Most Naive Bike Tourist" journal if you'd like to compare notes.

When I'm not on a bike tour, I write about my day rides on a website created by Scott and Rachael Anderson. It's called Cycle365. Here's what I wrote about our encounter today. It includes the picture I took of you guys.

http://cycle365.life/animals-clouds-that-look-like-something-else/

The socks do not interfere with putting the bottle in the cage. Makes them fit a bit tighter, but not much. About every 10 miles, re-wet the socks. It really does not take much water to keep the socks damp, especially in humid areas. Out west, you may have to re-wet them a bit more often. I did see some white, ankle length socks at the local Dollar General today, so, some of them do carry them.

Steve;

I've been trying to get my veggies when I can. It's Doc who has diet issues - his main diet is cheeseburgers and fries and ice cream and beer. Your pie suggestion sounds good, I'll keep my eyes open! Thanks,

Bud

Racpat;

You are getting some hard mountain passes behind you, then you can dance across the high plains! Please let us know how the riding is on the Montana roads, especially eastern Montana. We met a cyclist who rode those roads 2 years ago and spoke very poorly of them - he said the shoulders were bad and there was lots of oilfield truck traffic (the original route was moved further southward to avoid the oilfield traffic). To be blunt, neither of us are sure if this guy's perspective has any real merit - I don't think he was a very experienced cyclist - but still, let us know how the roads are. Thanks,

Bud

Scott;

We should enter Wisconsin tomorrow. I guess we will have to deal with the heat and humidity a while longer. But since we are heading north, we should at least roll into lower humidity eventually. At least, one can hope...

Bud

Paul;

Thanks for the tip! That sounds like something I will try - do the socks interfere with getting the bottle into the cage? I don't have any white socks with me to sacrifice, but next time we pass a dollar store I will buy some. Yeah, any solution to avoid hot water is very welcome. One of my water bottles is insulated, but even with ice in it it's only cool for an hour or 2 at best. Thanks again,

Bud

I put cut down white, ankle length socks on my water bottles, get them soaking wet first thing and "update" the moisture of the sock(s) as I ride along. The evaporative process helps keep the water cool and keeps the sun off the bottles. Drinking cool water on a hot day beats hot water hands down.

I sympathize with your struggles with the weather. We’re experiencing unseasonal conditions nearly as hot up here crossing Wisconsin. 90+ with high humidity five days running.