Today started with the most beautiful bicycle path I have ever seen. 

Sioux Falls certainly gets my respect for the work they have done to beautify the bicycle paths.  I understand the entire loop around the city is 20 miles--we rode on it for at least 10 miles coming out of the city.

I was apprehensive about getting out of the city because the traffic was so heavy coming in on Saturday.  It is the biggest city in South Dakota, 123,000.

But this morning was a real treat. The paths were winding in and out of the trees by the Missouri River and on both sides of the paths, the grass was absolutely manicured--it looked like a golf course on both sides and this continued for many, many miles--and to think they manicure all this beauty and can only enjoy it 5 or 6 months before it is cold here. 

So, what a way to start the day--it even made us kind of forget about the crummy detour we had to take for 7 miles--gravel roads-- but at least it wasn't as bad as the crushed rock of several days ago.

Twenty-four miles into our ride we passed over the state line so we now have ridden entirely through four states and are starting on our fifth--Minnesota--it's still so exciting 

The weather was fine today--we seem to be in front of the heat wave so are enjoying every day that the good weather lasts.

 

As we came into Worthington, we had an interview with a very nice radio station KWOA, KO95 and Eagle --Three Eagles Communications.  Joel, manager and Tony, DJ were incredibly hospitable and polite. jkoetke@kwoa.threeeagles.com   

They also are passing the word along to a sister city further on in Minnesota.  The terrain is very beautiful--still all farm land, corn etc., and the big mosquitoes haven't found us yet--thank goodness.

Bye for now,

Love, Patricia