After I wrote at the library last evening, the heavens opened up, and I mean that quite literally. I watched through the library windows as buckets of water going sideways fell from the sky. Shortly after, hail as big as dimes come down too. The streets were full of water from side to side. I was lucky to be in the library, but everyone else was back at the park, along with my tent and luggage, which was in no way prepared to be waterproof.
Eventually the rain subsided and I rode my bike back through flooded streets to the city park. I suspected that Scott would put my rain fly on the tent, and put my bags inside as well. He did, and I was most grateful to have dry stuff. Three of the tents out of the group filled with water, or were damaged by the storm. Many people had wet things.
After the rain, the staff and other volunteers set to work on the damaged tents and wet belongings. Some of the locals, who felt so bad that they had let us get rained on in their town, came by and offered drying services.
I felt a great generosity of spirit when I realized how people had pitched in to help others. I realized that my own thoughts were about getting dinner and the safety of my own stuff. There is a lot to learn from this group of people.
Today was an easy day tooling through the South Dakota, and then Minnesota countryside with a tailwind. The look of the country changed to a Minnesota look this morning, with small lakes, rolling hills and green farmland.
Later in the day, we came to a wind electrical generation farm. Giant windmills with 60-foot rotors, spinning in the wind. Behind us was a great, dark cloud with visible rain falling.
Scott and I let the increasing wind at our backs push us into the Danish town of Tyler, Minn. Here, we are staying at the Danebod Lutheran Church. The grounds are green and lush with an old brick school building, the old stone church, a 100-year-old recreation hall, and the current church at the front of the property.
Today was a good day, riding into Minnesota farm country and staying in an old Danish town. I can’t help but think about windmills, and the famous Don who charged them. Is the Big Ride just a tilt at windmills? There’s only one way to find out.

Today's featured rider is Jessica. Jessica teaches in a charter school in Boston. She says it's not like the TV show, Boston Public. Jessica has done many rides all over the country and is a great rider. We are lucky to have her on Lunch Team #1- The best lunch team on the trip!