It was an overcast day, but Tom, Seth & I decided to try a little fishing anyway. We buzzed across to the shore by Star Island, and after about 30 minutes with “nary a nibble,” it started to rain. Rather than spend the morning getting soaked we decided to reel in and head back to the resort.

One thing Tom & I had on our vacation bucket list this year was riding the Heartland Trail from Park Rapids to Cass Lake. We had accomplished this ride two years ago, but since I now have a better bike, I wanted to try it again. Looking at the forecast and wind direction for the day, we decided it was as good a day as any to give it a try. Since it was still somewhat early in the day, we would have time to get home before the predicted storms hit.

Phyllis was willing to trade riding along with us to Park Rapids (an hour’s drive), for the use of our car to do some yarn shop hopping. Once we reached the trailhead, we parted ways and started our ride (it was 1:35 p.m.). We rode by the cute little towns of Dorset (6 miles in), Nevis (12 miles), and then Akeley (18 miles) where we paused for a short break and photos with another Paul Bunyan (Akeley claims to be his birthplace). From there we rode on to Walker (29-mile mark), where we stopped for an ice cream cone at the drugstore.

The last leg of the journey from Walker to Cass Lake took us past Leech Lake, over a couple bridges, and by many wildflowers. After 53 miles and nearly 6 hours, we made it back to the resort. I was happy to see my time improved by nearly ten minutes over two years ago (thanks in part to the new bike), and we both felt a good sense of accomplishment.

As a reward (that is, in addition to the ice cream), we decided it was a good night for “date night.” The kids were all gone to a movie and had ordered pizza for supper at the lodge, so Tom & I, Beth & Bill, and Phyllis went out to Club 209, another new place in Bemidji that we had heard about. This is the third new restaurant we’ve tried during the past two weeks, and since they’ve all been good, I guess we’ll just have to add them to our “list.” Pretty soon we’ll have enough good restaurants to fill up our whole two weeks and I won’t have to cook anymore!! (Haha!)

Bucket list: The Heartland Trail