Day 49, Cumberland, WI

Very quiet in the park last night and the skeeters were not too bad!!!

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Some touch climbs out of the park so early in the morning . . . the paddleboat was still in the Dalles . . this time in early morning light . . .

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This is ‘old downtown’ St Croix Falls sort of a ix of tourist and local needs . . . quaint

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Here is the dam right above town . . you can see the dam itself in the center of the photo before it curves to the left where it looks like a endless pool . . . don’t go over!!!

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Sort of a sign of the future for small towns. You would think a little tourist town like this could support an American icon like a Dairy Queen . . but no. Instead it has moved 4 miles out of town to where the Walmart, McDonalds, Menards, etc etc are all located!!

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Here is an ‘original’ sculpture entitled ‘Fish’ . . .

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. . . not sure which side it looks best from.

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The back story is it is located at the WDNR Fish Hatchery in St Croix Falls. When ever a new state building is constructed, or a major addition added, a certain percent of the funding for the building must be spent on ‘original’ art. Funny . . .this artist isn’t even from WI!!!!!

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We rode out of St Croix Falls on the WDNR ‘Gandy Dancer’ trail. In WI the trails are not paved and you need to buy a special trail pass!!!! Not quite as user f\friendly as in MN where the trails are free (there is no free lunch  . . .someone is paying for them) but they are also paved!!!

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A picture perfect riding day in WI. Low traffic, good road, just enough elevation to keep things interested . . . Wade and Doc Mike take the lead.

and the first predicted tailwind we have had since he we started 50 days ago. What a welcome to Wisconsin!!!!

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First stop was the quaint town of Balsam lake. Nice water tower, clean streets lots of plants  . . .

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. . .and what’s this . . . Have things changed since I left WI ?????

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Really sorry we are not staying in Balsam Lake tonight . . .I would have REALLY like to see TaTi, the Island Boy, and even sample a few Leine’s!!!

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Right outside of town was Ole and Lena’s Moose Theater featuring the Lutefisk Marching band . . . not sure what the giraffe was all about!!!!

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The skeeters have jot been too bad yet . . . but it looks like there has been rain and puddles like this are breeding grounds . . .

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. . . for the GIANT version as depicted here. They have been know to fly off with small dog and children!!!!

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. . .must be a sad place . . may be the sister lake to Dead Lake in MN!!!!

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We have the WDOT/County Rustic Road program in WI honoring great country rides. The kind families used to enjoy in a time past on a nice Sunday afternoon drive with a stop at the local drive inn. Not sure people do that anymore. Some of the roads are still recognized though . . .

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. . .including Hunky Dory Rd!!!

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First one of these I have seen in WI . .  haven’t seen any roadside fatality markers yet. It would be wishful thinking that signage like this was actually working . . .

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Tonight we are staying in Cumberland at the City park. A REALLY happening place. Hope it quiets down tonight. To bad it is not a rest day . . . the Tower House looked very inviting . . .

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Local mascot at the elementary school . . .

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Oh, those Cumberlanders do have opinions!!!!

Tomorrow onto Hayward and a layover day . . . I started my career in 1977 with the State of Wisconsin, Department of Natural Resources, in Hayward as a trainee. It will be interesting to become reacquainted with it!!!