Today's ride was a little more interesting as we finished off South Dakota and headed into Minnesota. The Southeast wind persisted in our faces, but it was less bothersome than yesterday. Temperatures were moderate, in the 80's, although the humidity is increasing so the heat index is right up there. We only did about 2000 feet of elevation gain today, which, compared to the rockies, felt like nothing. As we progressed farther east in South Dakota, the agriculture changed distinctively; instead of hayfields, corn and soybeans appeared. Near the Minnesota border, there are vast dark green seas of soybeans, as far as one can see to the horizon...must be thousands and thousands of acres. There is more water around, so it makes sense that these crops would thrive here. In the western part of the state, it looks like arid ground has been brought into production, when perhaps it shouldn't have been, by misguided water resource planning in the 20th century.
I rode with Karen, the chemistry teacher, this morning for a while, and talked about a book we both enjoyed, The Omnivore's Dilemma, which, among other things, is an analysis of the American corn industry, and an indictment of American big agribusiness in general. I have also discussed this book with Caterina, the Swedish woman, who is a veterinarian, and went on to get a Phd in comparative pathology at UC Davis. She is very interested in addressing the incredible misuse of antibiotics in American livestock, and is applying for a faculty position at the vet school at Washington State. She is having great trouble getting a green card. Here is a very talented person, who wants to contribute to the well being of our country, yet we have stupid policies that hinder attracting intellectual talent like this. But I digress.......
Yesterday morning, one of the riders flew in his girlfriend for a few days, and in front of us all at breakfast, proposed marriage. Fortunately for him, she said yes!
Yesterday the route was very straight with very few turns or landmarks, so the cue sheet was reduced to entries like "Mile 29: Beehives on left". Today the route was considerably more complicated, as we took a variety of pretty side roads, generally within 2 to 5 miles of I-90 as we worked our way east. We entered Minnesota shortly after lunch, and I noted an immediate increase in apparent prosperity. The town of Luverne has some very nice houses and is very clean. I haven't seen many children yet, but as Garrison Keiler says, I'm sure they are all above average.....
Worthington is not a particularly charming place. Lots of big farm equipment stores. There is a pretty lake that the town is built around. A bunch of us ate at a Mexican restaurant tonight. I have noticed that when I eat a normal large dinner, I have an OK day the next day. But if I eat more than I am comfortable eating, I have a good day. I guess I really am burning a lot of calories.
Tomorrow we continue across the southern part of Minnesota, then on Tuesday we cross the Mississippi River at the end of the day.
136 miles. 2200 vertical feet.
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