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Bill Kottke at Kottke Jewelers

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Comments from Gabriel

Today I took off from this very crazy packed town and was glad to be on my way.

Patricia had 6:00am breakfast and took off immediately after that. I left around 9:30 assuming I would catch up to Patricia early today. She had a little over 100 miles to do and that's back to back with the 102 miles yesterday.

As I left Mankato about eight to ten miles out, Darlene Deacon from KIDK 3 News Watch, Idaho Falls called me for an update on Patricia's ride.

I pulled to the side of the freeway as I was concerned about reception fading and talking on the phone while driving 75 mph. 

After I finished talking to Darlene regarding the updates about Patricia, two of the van tires were on the soft shoulder of the road and apparently something punctured both of  them and blew them out.

I was extremely disappointed as I obviously had only one spare tire and had no idea what the hell happened. 

Patricia desperately needed me this day and I was off to such a great start to get to her early. 

I was towed to a town 40-50 miles ahead by the name of Owatonna.  I did call the Baron and update him while I was waiting for the tow truck and the Baron said Jim Buckley was in the house.

After arriving in Owatonna and going to several tire stores so I could find someone less busy who also had two tires in stock, I finally got someone to work on it downtown.

It took at least an hour so I walked uptown to try to find some lunch a block away. Wells Fargo gave a special barbecue for all the town people for free and as I was walking towards it, I asked a gentleman by the name of Bill Kottke who owns Kottke Jewelers what was happening. 

I explained to him I was not from here and that my wife was riding across America and he replied "I know"  and I said "what?" and he replied he knows all about my wife and he then further explained that he was good friends with Duane Dunker from the prime time band, Patricia's friend that she was meeting in Medford and that I was supposed to meet as well until I had the two flats. 

How crazy can that be.  He was the first person I spoke to in the town except the tire guys. What A small world.

I finally caught up with Patricia she really missed me thanks to Bill who stuck by her side. I caught her about 20 miles out from Rochester MN. 

This place is like LA!

Peace to everyone,

LOL Gabriel