Day 1

Minneapolis to Owatonna 74 miles or 120km.
The day started with an early wake-up because Deb had to go to work, but before she did she dropped of some copies of the St Paul Pioneer Press. My story was on the front page of the local section, with a couple of very nice pictures. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/15545611.htm is the link to the article.
Then Peet and I got ready to go, packing up the car and awaiting Nia's arrival. A quick tire change and a call to Nancy and it was time to head to the Capital. I picked Nancy up at our regular meeting place, which felt so normal and not at all like the beginning of a great adventure.
At the Capital a reporter from WCCO was ready to tape my story and take our picture. A quick pits-stop and of we went out of St Paul and into the rain. Peet was following us closely in the car with blinkers and heater on.
The morning brought us through cornfields and over rolling hills to Northfield for lunch. The sun came out as soon as we went inside the restaurant. Peet tried to get a discount from the manager but he wasn't able to help. One of the customers how ever was very interested in my cause and promised Peet a 300-dollar check, if she waited for him to finish his lunch. We got on the road without Nia's security blanket but in the end it was worth it. An other donation for a great cause.
The sun was still out which made the riding much more pleasant and I was even able to get rid of my warm-up which where causing me some discomfort.
Nancy was my personal tour-guide pointing out all the road kill and trash on the road; we saw a lot of frogs! Nia loves Northfield, Faribault, Medford and finally Owatonna! We pulled into the Owatonna Grand Hotel right before a big storm, nice timing! They sponsored us with a free room for us and one for our bikes and set up an other interview with the local paper tomorrow morning.
After a tasty diner it is now time to get some sleep and get ready to ride again.
Sis