The ride out of Itasca State Park was nice. Ten minutes into the ride a slight rain started. I turned on to Hwy 71 and the rain picked up and the cold seemed colder. After about an hour I noticed that my phone was about dead; this was strange since it charged all night was at 100% when I started. I was able to take a couple of photos before plugging into my I.Sound Portable Battery. It began to charge right away; whew!
It was a rainy ride to LaPorte, MN. Half way I received a call from one of the Campgrounds I booked in Wisconsin; they were letting me know that their Campground was under water and they were canceling my Reservation; surprise number 2. No worries; God will provide.
I arrived in LaPorte and found the Paul Bunyan Trail. Before starting down the Trail I took a break from the cold rain to get some hot chocolate and hot soup. The Convenience Store Clerk was very nive and had a great Minnesota accent. I set out down the Trail after warming up a bit and finishing my hot food and drink.
I was excited to ride the Trail and I was excited that the rain had stopped. I passecd several ice covered lakes; the ride down the Trail was beautiful. When I arrived in Walker, MN I got off the Trail to see the town and get a snack. I was really excited to see the Northern Exposure store. I snapped a photo and sent it on to Chris; he knew how much I liked NE. Ironically the NE store was located in a town that sharedhis wife's Maiden name.
After leaving Walker the Trail took me through many small towns with interesting history like Hackensack and Backus. After Backus I was getting tired so when I found a bench overlooking Pine Mountain Lake I took a rest. I also took time to call Pastor Olsen at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, MN; I would be camping at the church. I could not reach her so I left a message letting her know my location and approximate ETA. After consuming some nutritious snacks I set off to Pequot Lakes.
After a few more small towns I arrived in Pequot Lakes and followed Google Maps to an abandoned lot. I turned around and then asked a local if they knew where the church was; they weren't positive but they thought it might be down on the corner. Since it was a small town I took a chance and that chance paid off; I had arrived! Pastor Olsen and I had chatted a few towns back so I knew she would be arriving shortly for a meeting. When she did arrive she suggested that I stay with her and her husband; they lived 8 miles south of the church just off the Trail; it sounded good to me. Since I was spent physically she called him and had him bring his truck to the church. We loaded up and went to the house; it was awesome! After cleaning up he and I went to pick up some Chinese food; amazing! After dinner and visiting I was ready for sleep. It had been a good first day but a bit more taxing than I had anticipated: thank God for the prayers of his people and ibuprofen!
