Yesterday's longer-than-expected ride took a lot out of me.  The prevailing southwest wind blew me into Wisconsin Rapids, but it also blew by a succession of different types of weather, including a dramatic rainstorm that hit just as I pulled into town.

The road into town was so quiet I was able to listen to an entire tape, stopping it only when the occasional car went by, but it looks like I won't be able to avoid heavy traffic tomorrow.

After weathering the storm, I went to an ice cream stand that everyone in town recommended and got a huge malt, in preparation (I thought) for riding toward or into Stevens Point.  But I was so tired when I got back on my bike that I stopped at the first campground I found, just outside of town.  The good news is it's very affordable and well maintained, and the traffic noise is no worse than last night's $20 disappointment.  But it leaves me with about 45 miles to ride tomorrow.  Better rest up!

Total distance: 38.19 mi

I got up nice and early this morning and rode into The Village of Plover, just south of Stevens Point, around 9:30 AM.  I toyed with the idea of visiting the recumbent shop in Stevens Point but decided I probably didn't have the time and might not have the energy.  I did swing by the public library but found it closed, so I headed on out of town.

After leaving the Institute I had my real adventure of the day... I was trying to follow US 10 but finding it too busy and its shoulders too narrow.  Then there were construction signs ahead... nothing to do but keep going.  Turned out they're building a new limited-access route to bypass the towns of Amherst and Amherst Junction.  The new road was closed to traffic but open to me!  I had about 5 miles of smooth concrete all to myself.

When I got to where the new road rejoined US 10, I found that the highway itself is limited-access from there on: off limits to bikes.  So I rode back into Amherst, bought some groceries, and continued on local roads.

The road I picked to Hartman Creek State Park was County D, and it was the perfect road.  Scenic, very low in traffic, and with just enough hills and turns to be interesting.

The state park isn't as nice as Perrot, but gorgeous in its own way.  It's a pretty recent development; part of the campground was planted as a pine tree farm and another part as a nut orchard, which makes for interesting camping.  The campsites in the pine trees are almost spookily public, like camping in a convention hall with only supporting columns between one site and the next.

The real attraction of this park to me is its proximity to the Ice Age National Trail.  I plan to take a hike tomorrow morning and see some erratics!

Total distance: 49.54 mi

The ride into Hortonville via New London was uneventful, and I got to the Coffeens' around 4:00. A friend of Chris's from near Milwaukee is visiting until tomorrow, and his girlfriend lives here too, so there were six of us for dinner.

Total distance: 37.98 mi

I spent the day on the 21st with the Coffeens.  I used their Internet connection in the morning and then helped Steve move sand for four or five hours, partly to the front steps and partly to Lynn's new zen garden.  Last night a bear walked through the zen garden, so we left the tracks intact and I got some photos.

In the evening I got the autoharp out and played a few songs for Steve and Lynn and then a few more when Chris and Becky got home from work.

Went into Appleton with Becky on the morning of the 22nd and bought a new Verizon phone, since AT&T service in Wisconsin has been abysmal.  Went with Chris in the afternoon to see the sod farm where he works.  Otherwise an uneventful day.