In nearby Moorhead, the group enjoyed the Viking Museum, which featured ships and other facets of Norwegian culture. Unfortunately, when the riders told Dick (he with the van) to meet them there, Dick thought they said the Biking Museum and never found them!

The route through central Minnesota took the Team through such towns as Pelican Rapids, Parkers Prairie, and Brainerd (where the movie Fargo was filmed). In this state and neighboring Wisconsin, the Gang of Six traveled through the heart of the Land o'Lakes. In northern Wisconsin, the headwinds died at last, and the group was fully able to enjoy the serene lakes and woods. Canopies of birch, aspen, and maple trees were tinged with fall color. This area had the best of roads and the worst of roads, but the terrain was generally flat or had nice rollers, and the riders made good time.

Of course, this region had its share of weird Americana. As if in a Fellini film, the group, lulled by the beautiful scenery, would occasionally be startled by a large fiberglass object in the countryside -- a giant loon in one town, a walleye fish in another. Even the mailboxes were disguised as favorite animals. (And somewhere in this paragraph, I'm obliged to mention that Dick made a great meatloaf dinner for the Team one evening at Lynx Lake.)

From Wisconsin, the Gang rode through the U. P. (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan, along the northern shores of the great Lake Michigan. In Blaney Park, they suffered the first Faulty Towers experience of their trip. In this particular inn, one could shower with hot or cold water, but not both. The fly problem, however, was worse. While Howard, the innkeeper, had managed to kill most of the flies, he apparently forgot to vacuum the floors in the guest rooms. Thus, a "carpet" of dead flies greeted some of the riders after a hard day's ride.

Not long after this trauma, however, the Team reached Mackinac Island, north of L. P. (Lower Peninsula) Michigan in Lake Huron. On a break day, the group toured the magnificent Grand Hotel, with its famous Veranda, the longest in the nation, if not the world (I can't remember which). Since the hotel charged a minimum of $300 per room, the riders elected to stay at a nearby campground.

The Team is now riding the length of Michigan, north to south. The riders are being joined on this leg by Eric's friend Robin Allen of Howell, Michigan, who toured New England last year with most of the same group. Robin's home is the destination of the last coffee shipment from sponsor Java City. Total mile count to date is approximately 3,500.

It seems that the group is taking the long way around the United States! As you may recall, they started in Southwestern Oregon, then rode north to Glacier National Park in Montana. They're now heading south. Once past Michigan, they will take the van through Indiana south to Kentucky, where they will find the central tier of Adventure Cycling's cross-country route. From that point, they will resume riding through Kentucky and Virginia, ending up in Yorktown at the end of this month, if all goes well.

Everyone is still in in fine form and high spirits. Gene has grown a mustache and beard(!!). The weather continues to cooperate. Their message to Wheelmen -- "wish you were here"!

Until the next update, patti masuda