This morning’s ride has been tougher, the day colder and windier. While it’s a balmy 83 degrees (28 Celsius) back in Rome, Georgia right now here in Waverly it’s 56 degrees (13 Celsius). Sudden wind gusts up to 25mph are coming out of the west-north-west, slapping me around and making me drift across my lane. Plus, the road’s been quite bumpy. I rode through 90 miles of this and then I needed hot coffee, warmer clothes and my heated gloves.

Still, the ride this morning was beautiful, especially around the lakes and rivers of Waterloo. Saw a few Canadian geese, dodged the darting red wing blackbirds and watched the wind rustling the branches of the cottonwood trees.

I’ve had my coffee now and feel better. Time to fill the gas tank (highest octane I can get), and head up Highway 218 toward Minneapolis. I hope eventually, but probably not today, to get up to Fargo where I spent two years teaching social work at a local college. I hope it’s not as windy down that memory lane.