Madison, Wisconsin, what a town. I had heard alot about it from friends and family, that is a culturally rich town that just happens to get colder than hell in the winter. Well they were right and thank god I am not here in the winter. Linking the capital building to the university is a drag known as State Street which offers more ethnic restaurants than I have ever seen in one place, it is incredible. Last night we spent the evening wondering around campus and then found a watering hole for a much needed drink. I was still in bed by 1130....
The ride in yesterday was hot, damn hot, about 90 degrees. Wisconsin though is absolutely beautiful. The corn fields are vast and green and there is so much space out here. Yesterday, after departing from the small town of Janesville, WI we only had a 40 mile ride. Three of us decided to spend the morning in the library and were far behind the group, probably an hour or so. About 20 miles in we came to a piece of the road that was completely submerged by flooding; maybe 2 feet deep and 100 yards across. We could have just walked through, but conveniently, there happened to be a small paddle boat there. So two of us hopped in, bikes on the back, and paddled to the other side. I paddled back and picked up the third and we all managed to get our bikes across with no problems - props to the guy who left the boat there.
The last several days have been fairly easy and since my last posting, we blew through Chicago. The ride there was intense, about 115 miles from Edwardsburg, MI through Gary and into Chicago. The roads were fine until we got to Gary, then it got bad, really bad. Potholes that could easily swallow a bike. Guess we've had our first lesson in urban decay and where tax dollars go....
Chicago was amazing, as always. My mother met me there, along with a friend of hers, and we spent Saturday evening and all day Sunday just hanging out. I also slept in a real bed that evening which was phenomenal, this whole thermarest with a sleeping bag thing is getting old. It also seems as though every church we sleep in, whether air conditioned or not, is incredibly hot. I think I am the only one of the group who spends the first several minutes after arriving at the church looking for a fan of sorts. So anyway, Chicago was beautiful. Pakistani food Saturday, real food and coffee on Sunday, and then a walk up and down Michigan Avenue - if the city weren't so damn cold in the winter I would move there in a heartbeat.
Following our Chicago experience, we had a short day which took us through Northwesterns Campus and perhaps one of the most affluent areas I have ever been through. Mile after mile after mile or multi million dollar homes line the lake north of Evanston. Everything seems to be fading together, but I do remember that in Janesville we were graciously invited over to a families house whose son happens to be a trip leader on the route going across the southern U.S. The house was beautiful and the food was absolutely amazing. Grilled marinated chicken or tofu, roasted asparagus, green bean and tomato salad with basil, and beer, yes, lots of tasty imports. The evening was fantastic and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
So today I have spent my day off catching up on sleep - I was the last one up of the group. When did 1030 become sleeping in late? I walked downtown and have been catching up on mail and just doing my thing, Ipod and all. Madison continues to amaze me and I wish we had more time here, but there are fantastic things in store, we'll be in Minneapolis in the coming days.
Keep checking and I'll keep writing when I get a chance.
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