Day 43 - Pequot Lakes, MN to Walker, MN - Two Far 2020 - NTF (Not Two Far)

July 12, 2020

Day 43 - Pequot Lakes, MN to Walker, MN

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We continued on the Paul Bunyan Trail today from Pequot Lakes to Walker.

The first town we came to this morning was Pine River. There was a caboose and old train station.

And a (closed) information center featuring what must represent Babe, the blue ox.

Another block in Pine River. I didn't notice the arrow on the facade of the barber shop until I looked at this picture. There must be a story there.

One section of the trail was lined with these yellow wildflowers.

Outside Pine River, we rode past what I first thought were some RV's. The sign on the building, though, said "Ice Houses". These are basically RV trailers made to sleep in while you sit out on the ice and fish. I guess it's a big step up from the ice shacks I've seen in movies, but I absolutely can't imagine the appeal of spending time out on a frozen lake for any reason. Florida is definitely the place for me.

The next town on the trail was Backus. It is really just a one block town, but in the park we met this very delightful family. They live in Brainerd, MN and are making a three day trip up the trail to Bemidji, staying in hotels. The kids were all full of enthusiasm for the trip.

Colleen, Sullivan, Neil, Mullin and Gabriella

We rode part of the way to the next town with Neil and Mullin, then we met up with the whole family for a late breakfast in Hackensack. It was a lot of fun getting to know them. We parted ways when they went for ice cream to top off their breakfasts.

North of Hackensack, we encountered some very rough and patched pavement. It made the ride very bumpy for a while.

There were these patches and also many patches running the width of the trail that made constant annoying bumps.

Between Hackensack and Walker, we saw several lakes.

Others were large with homes on the shoreline.

Walker is on Leech Lake. We've been here before at this same time of year and the town was full of summer visitors. It seems very quiet today.

There weren't many people on the streets today. In the past, we've found it packed with people on a July weekend.

Even though it was a relatively short day today, we both took a little nap after arriving at the motel. Around 7PM we went out to find something to eat and saw Neil, Colleen and the gang again at the DQ enjoying still more ice cream. The kids said they were enjoying the trip a lot. Small wonder!

Kerry here... Jeanna is enjoying the trip as well, as her dinner tonight consisted of Fritos, ice cream and Diet Coke. She said it was just one of those nights when being bad was oh so good! :-)

Today's ride: 39 miles (63 km)
Total: 1,208 miles (1,944 km)

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Keith A. SpanglerI love your stories! Did you check out the General Store - love them
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4 years ago

Rich McKayAt least with a meal like THAT, you can "ride it off" the next day!
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4 years ago

Jeanna & Kerry SmithTo Keith A. SpanglerDidn't get to check it out - it was closed for the day
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4 years ago

Jeanna & Kerry SmithTo Rich McKayKerry asked my permission before he posted about my dinner. I should have told him NO! But it was good and I enjoyed every bite.
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4 years ago

Michael and Diane RuddockDiane and I are really enjoying your stories, and you are going through some beautiful countryside......would love to be there.

Regarding the "arrow" on Jim's Barber Shop, in the photo it does look like an arrow, but it's an optical illusion. I have an unfair advantage of having been in the sign business many decades ago. Most municipalities in North America outlawed hanging signs in the 70's and 80's, and many businesses took them down, but left the supporting structures in place, and that's what we have here, the sunlight just catching the protruding horizontal pole, the top guy wire, and the left side guy wire. The angle of your photo makes them form what looks like an almost perfect arrow.
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4 years ago

Jeanna & Kerry SmithTo Michael and Diane RuddockThank you, Michael. Now that you explain it, I see it clearly, but I don't think I would have without your description.
It now seems certain that we will be unable to visit Ontario this summer. I hope you are able to get back to Florida (if it's safe!) this winter.
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4 years ago