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

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 . . .

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

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!!!

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!!

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

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

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!!!!!

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!!!

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!!!!

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

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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 . . .

. . .including Hunky Dory Rd!!!

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 . . .

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 . . .

Local mascot at the elementary school . . .

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!!!