Back on the road in Minnesota!

Well, I just clicked over 2500 miles on the return journey, which means about 6400 miles total for the Rida Across America...and raising money for the PBTF. Going good. I am staying in Austin, Minnesota tonight, and off to Milwaukee tomorrow, for a brief stay with my fabuloso friends, Beth and Vern.
Had my usual share of life today, and another good samaritan. Yep, I found the bike out  in the Sioux Falls, SD, airport parking lot, just as I left it. Was careful to repack, dress, and crank up. I paid a remarkable $30 for one week of parking...$30 is what you pay per day in DC. Sheesh, what a bargain. So, I give the man my credit card, driver's license, and ticket. Pay and leave with the credit card...but unknowingly didn't get my driver's license back. 28 miles out I stop for gas and I have a brain flash...NO DRIVER'S LICENSE!
After looking through everything at the pump (and I mean everything), I left out and came back to the pay booth, and the man...I swear...nearly cried. He was so upset he didnt' give it back. I wanted to hug him...but, then thought I would just say, no problemo and go. So, another samaritan taking care of me.

I passed through 175 miles of corn...north and south of the freeway...corn, and corn, and corn. Also, there were dozens and dozens of new wind generators in Southwest Minnesota. I would guess in the hundreds, these towering wind generators are the newest plan to reduce energy needs for farmers, and to sell back electricity once they are paid off. Apparently they cost about $1Million each...but the farmers use projected revenues as collateral to build them. Amazing...really amazing initiative.

I loved two of the towns I drove through...Blue Earth and Welcome. The latter of the two has a great sign...Welcome to Welcome. Like I former president of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) that I worked for...George George. Always interesting.

Oh, I had two more individuals pull me aside at the airport to tell me they rode BMW motorocycles. I wore my M/C jacket, and carried my helmet, and they were like magnets. One guy rode a K1300S, and was a pilot of Air Canada. His name was Claude, but pronounced it "cloud", very specifically! Kept his motorcycle in Atlanta, and flew there every chance he got to ride through the USA. And another guy named Steve...kept his BMW in Miami, and did a bit of riding like Claude did. Very nice to meet them.

Also met a great young lady who was an upper classman at University of South Dakota and was a double major in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science. She was returning from the NY State Fair in Syracuse, NY, where she worked as a BEEF AMBASSADOR. (www.nationalbeefambassador.org). She was really passionate about her studies...She has alrleady attended two lectures by Temple Grandin(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin), had done two internships, was already planning her career...just a great young person. She was the kind of young professional that you would want in an organization. Always cranking at 110%.

Anyway, another great day in a very great adventure. Grateful, grateful...sleep all of you that read my blog.

More later.