MN Mini-Tour: Day 9
Rochester to Zumbrota, MN: 35 miles
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Day has gone from grey to bright sunshine.
Even with good city bike trail map,
We got lost on edge of Rochester.
We were
Trying to make our way to start of Douglas Trail,
A nice thirteen mile rail trail.
Bob did a great job figuring probable
Reconnect path.
We encountered just right woman,
Running big lawn mower along side
Of our new path.
With her direction,
(Always wonderful to find cheerful, helpful person!)
Made our way to trail,
Without LOST PANIC.
(That would have been me.)
Nice trail,
Side by side riding.
Quiet and happy.
I realize how much I enjoy
And appreciate a bike trip with
Bob.
Lucky me.
Terminus of Douglas Trail is
Pine Island, MN.
Routed to Rainbow Cafe for lunch.
Excellent food and place.
Today was their LAST day ever.
With their closing,
A few menu items no longer available.
Plenty to choose from and
So tasty!
Out of Pine Island on lovely, winding
Valley road.
Clear directions for that came from
Teenage boy at gas station,
Via his phone and its maps.
Final seven miles ridge-top riding
Into Zumbrota.
Found their Library for first stop.
New in 1995, nice space.
Sculpture in front,
Happy children.
Many library sculptures
Show happy children.
Our "minimal motel" is on edge of town,
Get to ride bikes back
Two miles to find food.
We can do that.
Great day.
Not much wind,
Gentle temperature,
Trail and lovely roads.
The Best.
Hugs to all,
Lin
Sculpture of children playing outside Zumbrota public library
Struggling with my phone in the comfy zone of the Zumbrota Public Library
Zumbrota is home to MN's only covered bridge
End-of-day computer time in our room
leaving Rochester: Bob pointing ahead to 1/2-mile-long bicycle overpass bridge
Slightly lost: Bob consulting map for best option forward. Love his map skills!
Bob ahead on 1/2 mile-long bike overpass bridge
Lovely country church: cows on the right, graveyard on the left.
Sign before Douglas Trail Bridge (struck me funny)
Bob dismounted on Douglas Trail Bridge
One-acre solar farm outside Pine Island.
Handsome ironwork on bike overpass
Zumbrota Public Library
close-up of delighted child in Zumbrota public library sculpture
