Hi again,

This has been an interesting day--our first day of riding in Wisconsin. The scenery is beautiful--it's a little more rugged than Minnesota but is still all full of corn and soybeans. 

The weather was perfect--boy are we lucky.  Today I was tired--this is the fourth day of almost 100 milers so we really have been working hard. 

What was so interesting was a 32 mile bicycle trail that has been built over an old railroad line. It goes right through the trees and is so cool. 

In addition, we had three tunnels to go through. The first one was 3/4 of a mile long--you can't imagine how dark it was in there--all you could see was a little speck of light at the end of the tunnel. 

It is too dangerous to ride through there, in fact there are signs that prohibit you from doing so.  The bed is kind of curved so that you have to walk your bike on and then there are gutters on the side that have water in them. 

Of course you can't see anything you are walking on, only that it is real bumpy and has puddles etc.  There is also water dripping off the ceiling so it was quite an experience. 

The tunnel was built in 1872 and by hand. Incredible!  The other two were a little shorter but the first one was a real scary thing. I sure wouldn't want to be there on Halloween night!!

This is the first trail that actually was sanctioned by the Government (Secretary. of the Interior). It's nice to see a state using something that is already there for the enjoyment of so many people. 

Somehow we made it in by 6:00 p.m. It was a struggle but another day of success.We now have pedaled 2/3rds of the way. That's hard to believe!

Well, It's after 9:15 and past my bedtime--up at 5 again tomorrow--a little shorter day, 87 miles.  Bye for now...

Love,

Patricia