Day 5 (8/8/08) - Marinette, WI. 60.6 miles. 270.6 miles total.
Today was gorgeous weather. The wind was pretty forgiving - we averaged 14.1mi/hr - and it wasn’t too hot. The day started off poorly (after a good and cheap breakfast at the motel) because Allison took a long time to eat, a long time to get ready, and then said she’d need to take it easy today. She took it easy yesterday. To do it again today was not something I was interested in. So I was pretty irritated.
She did all right, though. She likes to stop a lot, and still slows me down even though I pull the whole time, But I imagine she helps keep me from over-exerting myself.
The roads were pretty desolate today, but we stopped in Oconto which was a nice town. Mailed postcards, stopped in City Hall to ask about road conditions (the post master said they might be iffy) and got food. Leaving town (maybe 3 miles out?) we passed a cyclist riding the opposite way with a huge backpack and no helmet (I think) on a singlespeed or fixed gear. We debated stopping to talk to him but decided leaving him mysterious would be more exciting. I wish we had stopped.
We had to make a detour around a closed road, and went into Menominee before realizing we missed the turn for our campground, and had to backtrack a bit.
The ‘campground’ is actually a city park with camping. It has showers though, almost no mosquitos, and is right across from a baseball field where I think they’re setting up for a game (we may go watch). This is my favorite camp spot so far.
I think we’re getting into the groove of things. The next few days look like they’ll be long, but it’s supposed to be a beautiful area. I hope the weather holds for us.
Tonight is the first time I’ve felt really full all trip. Usually I eat a lot, don’t feel really full (just like I’ve had enough), then need more 30 min. later. But tonight I think I’ll feel stuffed for a while. We had pasta with fresh vegetables, and I think those may have done the trick.
I still miss sam a lot. Hopefully I’ll make it back okay and can see her soon.
This was looking behind me, so we didn’t get to draft him
In Oconto
This house dressmaker was also selling “biker bitch do-rags”
This one was selling ostrich eggs
From their ostrich
My portion of camp
The first of 3 tanks we would see on our trip
(this was in front of a National Guard building down the street from our camp and, appropriately enough, across the street from a cemetary)
We paid $1.00…
And ended up watching about half of that local baseball game