Devil’s Lake to Binford, ND
Another day of headwinds—first 20 miles were a trial and took over three hours to ride. Then we headed south so had only crosswinds . . . and light rain.
This morning, both Bill and Rick nearly lost their tents to the strong wind. We were camped on a hill overlooking Devil’s Lake. Bill wrestled his tent into submission. Next thing I knew, Rick was yelling, “Catch my tent! Catch my tent!” I caught it or it would now be in the middle of Devil’s Lake. Later, in as gentle a way as I knew how, I suggested that we not pull our tent stakes until the fly and frame were down.
More prairie, more prairie potholes, more waterfowl with their chicks. Today a female mallard flew along beside me for a long while . . . leading me away from her nest or brood I guess. Earlier Kevin reported the same behavior—female mallard flying along beside him for a great distance. Also, today an avocet flew above me repeatedly, giving the alarm call.
I’ve been keeping track of bird roadkill for something to do. Today I saw a roadkilled red-winged blackbird, a female mallard, a black tern, a cinnamon teal, and 3 unidentified. In fact, birds make up the majority of the roadkill in the states we’ve been in so far—though one section in MT had many prairie dog roadkills. Sad to see so many little bodies. I yell at the prairie dogs when I see them poised to cross the road.
This morning, both Bill and Rick nearly lost their tents to the strong wind. We were camped on a hill overlooking Devil’s Lake. Bill wrestled his tent into submission. Next thing I knew, Rick was yelling, “Catch my tent! Catch my tent!” I caught it or it would now be in the middle of Devil’s Lake. Later, in as gentle a way as I knew how, I suggested that we not pull our tent stakes until the fly and frame were down.
More prairie, more prairie potholes, more waterfowl with their chicks. Today a female mallard flew along beside me for a long while . . . leading me away from her nest or brood I guess. Earlier Kevin reported the same behavior—female mallard flying along beside him for a great distance. Also, today an avocet flew above me repeatedly, giving the alarm call.
I’ve been keeping track of bird roadkill for something to do. Today I saw a roadkilled red-winged blackbird, a female mallard, a black tern, a cinnamon teal, and 3 unidentified. In fact, birds make up the majority of the roadkill in the states we’ve been in so far—though one section in MT had many prairie dog roadkills. Sad to see so many little bodies. I yell at the prairie dogs when I see them poised to cross the road.
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| We finally leave ND-2! |
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| Wanduska Square, a collection of one-room schoolhouses gathered in a museum display--in the middle of nowhere |
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| Bill stops on a corner of the mowed schoolhouse property for one of his power naps |
Rick got to Binford before Bill and me and set up his tent in the city park. When Bill and I got in, it was raining hard, so I persuaded Bill to split the rent on a cabin in the same park for $20—$10 a tent is what we’ve been paying to camp, so this is a deal. It’s got two bunkbeds in it and a futon, a table and three chairs, AC and heat. We need the heat at the moment. In fact, it’s been rainy and chilly all day—chilly I like when I’m on the bike. Rain not. Rain has got to my cell phone and killed the battery I think. I will not be able to get the phone fixed until day after tomorrow in Fargo. It is strange not having cell phone contact.
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| Bill's and my Binford cabin; Rick is upset that we are not tenting with him and had to be persuaded to go to the Binford Cafe to dinner with us; I am weary with it all |
[Oddly enough, when we join the other group after RAGBRAI, camping was over and everyone--but me--crammed themselves into one motel room each night. Bill slept nightly with a couple of females and the whole group of guys, sleeping on the floor and sharing the bathroom. Also, later on he often joined the group in drinking himself to sleep or unconsciousness in the evenings. Maybe so that he could bear sleeping six to a room? I really like Bill, he’s kind and caring, so hate to see him compromise to be buddies with the guys, particularly Kevin whom he looks up to and with whom he has a wrestling connection. But, I guess I can’t blame him. After all, Bill’s age and speed doomed him to ride with two women—me and Diane—for much of the ride, so I guess this is natural. Enuff cycle-analysis.]
We’re in the land of giant farms and GIANT farm equipment. The people where we stayed last night used to farm 9000 acres. A farmer we talked to today lives in Baltimore, Maryland(!) and farms 20,000 acres here—or farms out most of the farming chores, I guess, as he lives so far away. Comes here each spring and leaves in the fall. He says you can’t make a living with 9000 acres. Hmmmm.
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| Bill's bike dwarfed by farm machinery |
We ate in the Binford Cafe. Their menu in our little cabin said they served a walleye dinner, but the woman running the cafe said that walleye is too expensive right now so she was not running it on the menu. Water’s been unseasonably cold; fish are deep. The café was quaint, decorated with state license plates and interesting pix. The woman running it says that she must quit because of her health. It will be a shame if the cafe closes because it is the center of social activity for this small town of 187 people.
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| The Binford Cafe with Bill trying to exude enough cheer for all |
Enough for now. Glad I do not have to put up the tent and sleep in the wind and rain.
Tune in tomorrow.
Tune in tomorrow.
