West Bend, WI – Planning for the upcoming 2026 bike tour has been an exhilarating nightmare. The destination is Pittsburgh, Penn. and Bicycle Heaven. Never heard of it? Me either, but I’m charged and ready to hit the road.
A Cliff Notes version of Bicycle Heaven – it’s “the world’s largest bike shop museum.” I hope to get lost in there… and maybe, just maybe, never find my way out.
I plan on relishing in the high-rise handlebars, banana seats, and baseball cards tearing through the spokes. I want to relive the sweet jumps, the skinned knees, and the memories made on a bike.
The plan is to pedal to Milwaukee and leave the next day on the Lake Express Ferry to Muskegon, MI. The general direction after that is south, with a hard veer east, and then south again with plenty of adventure in the mix.
Do I know where I’m staying? No.
Do I have my map all ready? No.
Totally winging it and can’t wait to bring everyone along.
It’s the unexpected encounters on the road that are most enjoyable. Stopped at a Hy-Vee in Carroll, IA to take a break from the heat.
Normally I will pull my pony into the entry of the store, just for an extra measure of security and there tends to be air conditioning and fewer flies, so that’s a bonus.
I normally just mind my own business when…
“I’d like to do something like that,” said the man in the red Hy-Vee shirt pointing at my bike. “Get to work without using any fuel…. like a rocket.”
His name was Eric and he had my attention.
“And the rocket, you wouldn’t need a license or registration and it would be easy to find a place to park.”
I like the registration aspect. Eric used his black croc sandle to give the shopping carts an extra nudge.
He had a mop of black hair with curls that stuck to his sweaty forehead.
”You would only be flying about a thousand feet in the air.” Eric really thought this through.
Then he was off…
“Service with a smile,” he said to an old man walking in.
The man said huh and Eric cheerfully repeated. “Service with a smile.”
The old man waved him off. But Eric was not to be deterred… there would always be another customer. The next elderly lady did not disappoint.
”Aren’t you hot,” she said as she shuffled into the store in bright red capri pants and toothpick legs.
”I’m gonna cut my head off and put it in the freezer it’s so hot.”
Eric lit up, and so did I.
”Me too,” said Eric chasing her into the store.
With a brief pause in the entertainment I sat on a milk crate and checked messages on my phone… until two black crocs crept into view.
”I have a good idea.” It was Eric.
“How about getting a wagon to carry a cooler with ice behind your bike and then you could have a cold drink whenever you want.”
It was an excellent, if not heavy invention.
I was in no hurry to leave the Hy-Vee. It was instant entertainment.
Eric talked frequently. He eagerly shared details about his head-on accident where he almost died. “Jaws of Life and Flight for Life and 8 years of therapy and I’m as good as new,” he said.
While Eric was fielding carts from the parking lot a cheery clerk got a hold of the store PA and sang the Happy Birthday song to Sue.
This whole 15 minute break reminded me of an episode of “The Middle.”
Eric returned with another idea, for me to ride with a friend and get a “duplex” and I’d get there much faster. “Wear earbuds so you wouldn’t always have to listen to the other person,” he said.
The next round of Eric, was when he came through the entry with music blaring on his phone. “Got music or a radio with you? I got Pandora on my phone.”
It definitely felt like he was vying for my attention.
“How long does it take you to charge your bike,” he asked.
I stood up and told him there was no charge; I was the engine.
Eric looked at me. Then he grabbed the front of his shirt tail to wipe the sweat off his forehead and a big hairy watermelon belly fell out.
”Well I have a 28 speed with 8 cylinders,” said Eric proudly.
Eric was definitely a local treasure for the Hy-Vee in Carroll, IA and so far my most entertaining break.
Side notes on tour…
An awesome double silo outside Grundy Center, IA.
Marvin had a roadside stand on the main drag in Grundy Center. He was sitting alone under a shade tree. “I have corn and tomatoes, melon and cantaloupe and peaches are in the truck.” He was 85. Retired. I bought a jar of raspberry jam for my mom. Marvin said it was from the Amish. “You’ll get that home in one piece,” he said. “If you don’t wreck.”
Met some young entrepreneurs outside Dickeyville, WI. Rhett and Colton set up a lemonade stand. Colton would spot potential customers and Rhett would hold the sign up and holler “Lemonade!” I happened to be the first customer that day. I’ve been advised in the past, “Just give the kids a quarter Judes… don’t dicker on the price.”
The service was excellent. “You can sit there on that corner for some shade,” said Colton offering me a spot under the umbrella. I took advantage of it… testing the sturdiness of the Fischer Price plastic picnic table. It held my weight but for some reason popped the littlest girl, Faith, off her perch. “How’s it going today ladies?” Colton piped in, “Awww they’re just here to drink and bother us,” he said. It reminded me of a Little Rascals episode. I gave the girls kudos for carrying on the tradition of driving men nuts.
This year’s tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
Trying to knock down a 100-mile day on this tour but by the 80-mile mark I’m just not feeling it.
Started early, leaving Ogden, IA at 6:10 a.m. It was a gorgeous pink sunrise after a storm that must have dropped 5-inches of rain easy. Fell in love with quiet Ogden while drifting into the community and saw the Standard Station.
What perfect preservation of a step back in time. The milky white exterior, simple red piping by the roofline and two pumps standing guard on the small island. I imagined leaning out the window of our wood panel station wagon and watching the numbers on the gas meter click away as my younger sister reveled in the aroma of the toxic gasoline fumes. Then my dad would flip that flat metal arm back and return the hose with a kathunk.
Made my way through the Farmers’ Market in Ames. Three blocks long, a petting zoo, and another head nod to history.
Through Marshalltown, IA with my eyes set on Grundy Center. I had 29 miles to go. Headed north with some headwinds and by Conrad I had enough.
It was very difficult finding a place to stay in Conrad. Nobody at the church and while there was consistent traffic at the Post Office nobody knew anything. Nobody knew the mayor or council member or a priest.
I stopped a man walking into Casey’s grocery and he pointed me to another church about three blocks to the north. While pedaling Lillian Avenue I asked a woman in a golf cart for directions. It was Jamie, she had common sense and took me home.
“Honey, this gal is looking to throw her sleeping bag down for the night and I thought she could use our camper,” she said to husband Rick.
Another common-sense person. Rick did not argue; they made it just that simple.
Then the real kicker, while touring his woodworking shop I found Rick was in IT, setting up computer security and whatnot. “I’ve worked in Dane County,” he said about his tie to Wisconsin. “Also, Washington County.”
With that, we found we knew the same people in law enforcement.
Such a small world and great new friends.
Side notes on the tour:
Searched for the history center in Marshalltown, IA. What I found instead was a diner with a simple storefront and a long legacy for loose meat sandwiches.
”One wet,” said the man sitting at the counter round the turn. “Wet” I understood meant extra grease. The waiter wrote the order on a white paper napkin.
The sandwich came with mustard and a pickle. Cheese was extra. A spoon was required.
The fist-sized serving came double wrapped in paper. Grease had already soaked through the first layer of paper and the bun. A steady stream of customers came through the door, like church let out. Nobody looked at a menu. The place was legend.
-Both Nebraska and Iowa have kernels of corn littering the shoulder of the highway. It’s fun to see when one rogue seed takes hold in a slim crack in the pavement.
-Love how the communities embrace the history on the Lincoln Highway in Iowa.
-Battling a lot if rain since entering Iowa. Was headed east out of Carroll, IA and there was a big homemade road sign $7 corn. “Better keep pedaling … storms on your heels.” I vaguely saw the man dressed in camouflage sitting in the shadows… he had a booming voice. I picked up my rain apparel from the Fareway grocery in Jefferson, IA. The clerk at the deli handed me a large garbage bag and wished me a safe journey.
-Interesting to note, the grocery over the bridge in Jefferson left pallets of chips and Gatorade lining the wall outside the store. “Do you put all this away at night?” The clerk looked at me like I was nuts.
-Jefferson was one of my favorite communities. St. Joseph’s church readily offered me space to stay the night and when pedaling back after a quick grocery shop I saw a boy in a red cape walking with his mom down the tree-lined street; very Norman Rockwell.
-Updating my mileage. Long days are courtesy A1 Health and Fitness – training since November 2024 and it is paying off.
Utah airport to UPS store and host – 21 mi.
Olympic Training Rink, bike store, Jordan River Trail – 24 mi.
Salt Lake City to Park City – 36.40 mi.
Interview Eric Heiden to host – 14 mi.
Park City, UT to Evanston, Wy – 65.54 mi.
Evanston, Wy to Fort Bridger, Wy to Lyman, Wy – 44.26 mi.
Lyman, WY to Green River to Rock Springs KOA – 50 mi.
Kimball, NE to Chappell, NE – 67.43 mi.
Chappell, NE to Paxton, NE – 61.17 mi.
Paxton, NE to Brady, NE – 63.95 mi.
Brady, NE to Kearney, NE – 81.55 mi.
Kearney to Chapman, NE – 60.90 mi.
Chapman, NE to Columbus, NE – 58.64 mi.
Columbus, NE to Blair, NE – 79.55 mi
Blair, NE to Denison, IA – 67.94 mi
Denison, IA to Jefferson, IA – 60.29 mi
Jefferson, IA to Ogden, IA – 26.05 mi (lots of rain)
Ogden, IA to Conrad, IA – 85.14 mi
Conrad, IA to Independence, IA – 78.61 mi
Total = 966.87 miles.
This year’s tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
This was my map yesterday as I hit the road to finally pass from Nebraska into Iowa. A farmer looked at the image and said, “Is that the hills or your heartbeat?” I said both.
Nebraska has been one of my favorites – mainly because of the wide shoulder on the Lincoln Highway…. And the people. The people and their respect for farming and history.
Columbus, NE in particular had an awesome painting in its downtown at 26th Street and 13th Avenue. It was titled Discovering the colorful history of Columbus; commemorating Columbus‘s sesquicentennial 1856 to 2006 by artist designer, David Reiser.
“The mural reveals important moments in the cities development by peeling through eight of the numerous layers of time from present to past.
An aspect of the mural is the transition of color through the piece. It was intentional to use black-and-white as the most recent history, then to sepia tones in the addition of more color for further back in time.
The mural measures 26 feet high by 84 feet wide. The city history began with its founding May 28, 1856; that layer shows three of the 13 founders coming to Columbus.
Those depicted are Jacob Lewis, Vincent, Kramer, and John Brower. Intentionally positioned over one of the oxen is a bison from a previous layer in time to show what was here before the Founders arrived by representing the Pawnee Indian tribes in the area with bison.
Another layer is a portrait of William F Cody commonly known as Buffalo Bill because the first exhibition of the world, famous wild West show organized with Frank and Luther North was held in Columbus.
Also is a layer to note the construction of the Loup River public powerhouse in the 1930s .
Below the Loup and Buffalo Bill layers is the late model general locomotive layer depicting the importance the railroad has had and the cities growth and development.
The layer on the left of the mural. Includes the Behlen manufacturing, water tower, and a modern train. The water tower helps symbolize industrial growth, and the modern train shows something old being replaced with something new.
The contrast not only exemplified through the trains or the bison and ox, but also with grain silos and the agriculture layer of the painting.
The grain silos are juxtapose with the teepee to show that TP one started the planes and have been replaced to silo.
The Columbus arch tops the entire composition because it is primary and recognized symbol of the city.
There were two arch tops that welcome visitors to Columbus traveling Highway 30 also known as the Lincoln Highway in the 1940s and 50s.
One located near the intersection of 23rd Street and 23rd Avenue and the other north of the viaduct near the intersection of 13th St. and 33rd Ave.
A self portrait of the artist peeling back the layers of time.
Below are a few of the other murals depicting history in Nebraska.
There is amazing art everywhere along the Lincoln Highway.
In Overton, NE I needed a break from the sun. I walked into a Pump n’ Pantry and the kid behind the counter said, “I don’t know if you’re gardening or looking at gemstones.” I assumed he was looking at my tattered bicycling gloves and perplexed by my rearview mirror on my glasses.
There was an adorable little tourism info building just before heart attack hill as I headed out of Nebraska.
Kim, the attendant, started a black-and-white history video on the Lincoln Highway. Pretty remarkable. Henry Ford, who was getting rich with his automobiles and the assembly-line process, refused to chip in even though a cross country paved road would have done wonders for sales.
There were great images of old cars getting totally stuck on mud roads.
Fun fact: Did you know when the Lincoln Highway first opened the lines down the middle of the road were painted black?
Couple or random tidbits:
One of my favorite signs so far from North Bend, NE.
The weather has been mostly sunny and in the mid-80s. Awesome bicycling weather. I am in the sun from about 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. The skin on my arms has peeled twice.
Absolutely loved the cozy Pony Express Museum in Gothenburg, NE. These kids were 17, swapped horses after 10 miles. Rode 100 miles a day.
There was a great quote at the Wild Bill Cody home tour. It was from Annie Oakley. “When a man hits a target, they call him a marksman when I hit a target. They call it a trick. Never did like that much.”
This year’s tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
Having so much adventure in Nebraska with decent roads, sunny weather, friendly people and a couple lessons from Mother Nature. She is definitely in charge on cross-country bike tours.
Pedaled out of Paxton, NE. The Cliff Swallows that build their nests under the bridge came out and paraded me out of town. It was rather amazing. They were flying on both sides at eye level. It felt very Chariots of Fire.
Met a couple really nice fellas in Paxton, NE. Rich and Todd had been pedaling since Salt Lake City, UTAH.
Todd talked about touring and how he like getting out in the morning and seeing people grouchy on their morning ride to work while he was going to spend the day in the sun having adventure.
Rich said he loved being on the road, visiting the small towns, and stopping to read historic markers. (Me too!)
My favorite historic marker so far was about Chief Turkey Leg… It was a grim encounter in 1867, especially for the people on the Union Pacific.
Lots of the historic markers provide nuggets of history that I never heard about in school. Common themes are the gold rush, the Oregon Trail, difficult journeys, forts and battles.
The small towns are more common in Nebraska than Wyoming. It’s part of the charm. Happened upon Larry’s Market in Shelton, NE. Population about 1,000.
“This used to be a Jack & Jill Store a long time ago,” said Larry. “You remember those… don’t you?”
Larry’s Market has an entire freezer dedicated to about 20 freeze pops. He cut the end off the blue one and passed it back. It’s the best way to combat a sweltery ride.
Larry was kind and easy going. He talked with the gentle tone and reassurance of the Motel 6 guy who said, “We’ll leave the light on for ya.”
Larry was managing the store and his two grandchildren. Sawyer took a break from riding his electric scooter up and down the aisles to pose with grandpa.
Absolutely love the cowboy flair along the side of the road and the murals in town dedicated to the history of the community. Common themes are trains, Pony Express, and farming.
Remember when the train was going to come through Walnut Grove in Little House on the Prairie and they exploded the whole town? That still didn’t make much sense… except if they were going for big ratings.
About three times a week this happens. An old guy will approach me during one of my breaks and come up to chat. Mike was on his way to Grand Island, NE, with his brothers and they pulled up to get a cold drink. Mike went for a walk and a smoke and wandered over by me.
”Where ya headed – Where ya been” is the normal icebreaker. Then… like it’s standard, the fellas feel the need to check my tires. Most say something to the effect, “Not going to make it much farther on these.”
I absolutely treasure these encounters.
Larry and Ed were next. They stared at me as I drifted off Hwy 30 into the Pump n’ Pantry in Silver Creek, NE.
They’re nothing but a couple good ole boys enjoying retirement. “Where are you headed,” said Larry. I told them Wisconsin. “Need a cheese sandwich,” said Ed.
The good-natured ribbing. I’m glad they feel so comfortable without even knowing me.
Just a couple of my favorite photos below:
I’ve been asked to cobble together a mileage total. Below is my best attempt. Long days are courtesy A1 Health and Fitness – training since November 2024 and it is paying off.
Utah airport to UPS store and host – 21 mi.
Olympic Training Rink, bike store, Jordan River Trail – 24 mi.
Salt Lake City to Park City – 36.40 mi.
Interview Eric Heiden to host – 14 mi.
Park City, UT to Evanston, Wy – 65.54 mi.
Evanston, Wy to Fort Bridger, Wy to Lyman, Wy – 44.26 mi.
Lyman, WY to Green River to Rock Springs KOA – 50 mi.
Kimball, NE to Chappell, NE – 67.43 mi.
Chappell, NE to Paxton, NE – 61.17 mi.
Paxton, NE to Brady, NE – 63.95 mi.
Brady, NE to Kearney, NE – 81.55 mi.
Kearney to Chapman, NE – 60.90 mi.
Chapman, NE to Columbus, NE – 58.64 mi.
Total = 648.84 miles.
Finally, on a very hot day on July 3, I took a break at a senior center in Ogallala, NE. This was on the inside door of a stall in their bathroom.
Thanks everyone for following along on the tour. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.
This year’s tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
Dancing as fast as I can on this 2025 bike tour and rolling with some unexpected adventure.
Started in Salt Lake, touring the Olympic Training Rink, climbing a mountain, interviewing 5-time gold medal speed skater Eric Heiden, pedaling into Wyoming and then the unexpected.
I pulled into my cabin at the KOA campground in Rock Springs, WY and it was as if someone push me sideways. I was walking down the stairs out of the cabin and it was as if I stumbled out of a saloon. I caught myself and returned to my bunk to collapse and experienced vertigo.
Slept three hours, hoping it would go away and it didn’t. Was it the elevation? Bad water? It was a little scary; the heat was intense too in the mid-90s.
Later as temps cooled I went for a walk and started shopping license plates within the RV Park. I managed to find Minnesota and that’s how I met Randy and Lynn.
They were headed east the next day and were happy to have me tag along – just so I could get to an area where I would be more comfortable.
What a lifesaver. They dropped me in Kimball, Nebraska. I put my bike together and explored the small town.
The next day I finally found my groove pedaling 68 miles to Chappell, NE. I’m on Highway 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway. There’s a big shoulder, it’s paved, and far better than biking on the Interstate in Wyoming.
Stopped in Potter, NE which is home to the famous Tin Roof Sundae and Duck Pin Bowling. The Potter Sundry had a high ceiling and the wood cabinets with decorative brass pulls were from the previous tenant, a pharmacist.
The back counter featured an old-fashioned soda fountain.
Yes, that’s a small Tin Roof Sundae with two scoops of vanilla, one scoop chocolate, a ladle of rich chocolate syrup, covered in marshmallow cream, and topped with Spanish peanuts.
Next door, was the Duck Pin Bowling Alley. If you wanted access the sign on the door read, “Talk to Hal at Potter State Bank or call his cell phone,” and then it gave the number.
You knew it was a comfortable small town when your waitress at the Potter Sundry knew the code to get into the building.
Richard Musil, the former town president, was my guide. There were three lanes and a series of six bowling balls. No finger holes in the balls and the colorful patterns made them look like large marbles.
“You have to have a partner setting pins,” said Musil. He raced to the end of the lane by the pins and demonstrated the nifty ball return.
The bowling alley was a nostalgic step back in time. A simple sign on the wall surrounded by a gold frame reads, “This sign was hanging in the original Duck Pin Bowling Alley. It was sold to an unknown resident living in Potter. Later it was found and purchased by Shawn Shoemaker and family to be placed back in its original home.”
A map on the wall is pinned with guests showing how far people have traveled to visit the unique bowling alley in Potter, NE.
Sidenotes….
Highway 30 runs parallel to the Union Pacific Railroad. In Potter, NE, there were 85 trains that passed through daily. While pedaling I will give an arching wave to the conductor. He normally responds with a lean into his train whistle. I respond with an enthusiastic thumbs up. It is our love language.
Chappell, NE really did a great job documenting its ties to the Lincoln Highway. Pedaling into the small community you can see the enormous granary silos from six miles out.
According to a plaque along the route, it was 1928 when Boy Scout troops across the US helped place about 3,000 concrete markers nationwide along the Lincoln Highway. “The markers were located at various points to assure motorists they were traveling along the United State’s first coast-to-coast highway.”
Was contacted by a friend this week who saw NBC’s Winter Olympics promo which first aired Friday night during the Macy’s countdown to the fireworks in New York. The commercial featured Alpine ski racer Lindsay Vonn, snowboard gold medalist Chloe Kim, and Kewaskum speed skater Jordan Stolz. WOOT WOOT! Be sure to jump on the Jordan train!
This year’s tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
The interstates have certainly taken the traffic away from the small towns. But traveling by bicycle you can easily stumble upon some hidden gems that have survived fast-paced progress. In Fort Bridger, WY, a mile off I-80, is a blink of a town that features an historic Trading Post run by the same family for 92 years.
Fort Bridger, WY — Just a mile off I-80, where most travelers race by without a second thought, there’s a quiet little bend in the road. In times past that turn served as a fur trading post and resupply lifeline for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
In the shadow of the old Lincoln Highway, sits the landmark Jim Bridger Trading Post. For 92 years, this small-town store has been run by the same family; Giorgis sisters, Virginia, 72, and Darlene, 65, wait on customers and relay stories of the past.
The story began with their father, Ernest Giorgis, a tenacious young man fresh out of high school who had the nerve to ask Maytag for a dealership after the local rep passed away. “His sisters and cousins told him, ‘They’re not going to give a snot-nosed kid like you a dealership,’” said Virginia. “But he got it.” And so began Bridger Valley Maytag, a modest appliance shop that soon grew into something much more.
The store evolved into Giorgis Appliance Center, then Jim Bridger Trading Post, as Ernie adapted to the needs of his neighbors—and the changing times. “He even had a little diner in here at one point,” said Darlene. “Called it ‘Ernie’s In’ when he was there, and when he wasn’t, it was ‘Ernie’s Out.’”
But the soul of the place isn’t just in its name changes. It’s in the details—the old cash register that belonged to their Italian grandfather, who immigrated and worked the coal mines before opening a saloon in South Cumberland. “When Grandpa tore the saloon down, Dad used those old boards and rusty nails to build the original store,” Darlene said. “That’s still part of what’s here.”
Though the sisters rebuilt the store in 1982, the past is very much alive. Antique cabinets rescued from a long-gone Lincoln Highway gas station line the aisles.
One even still bears the faded “Keen Kutter” stamp on the wood. “I wanted to sand it off once,” Virginia said, “and someone told me, ‘No, don’t do that. That tells you how old and valuable it is.’”
The store is a patchwork of generations—appliances still sold alongside fireworks, t-shirts, groceries, and local souvenirs. “People still come for a little bit of everything,” Darlene said. “Fireworks all year, groceries—not as much as we used to—but we’ve got ranch supplies, shirts, snacks… you name it.”
Ernest Giorgis was also a member of the American Legion. One year, the group got stuck with a batch of fireworks they couldn’t sell. “So they asked Dad to take them off their hands,” Virginia said. “Next thing you know, we’re in the fireworks business.”
Over the years, the Trading Post has quietly hosted more than just locals. There was the day Robert Redford wandered in during Fort Bridger’s famed “Rendezvous” weekend. “He didn’t say who he was,” Virginia said. “But I looked up after he left and said, ‘I just waited on Robert Redford.’”
Zane Grey, the legendary Western author, once stopped in, too—drawn by Ernest’s deep knowledge of the land and its stories. He picked Ernie’s brain for lore, history, and authentic local color. “He was looking for the kind of stories only Dad could tell,” said Darlene.
The sisters continue to honor that legacy. They manage both the store and the family ranch, just like their parents did.
On a side note:
Next to the Giorgis Grocery is another historic site, the Fort Bridger State Historic Site and Museum. The site has house about 2,500 troops during the Utah War and in the 19th-century it was a fur trading outpost that later became a critical resupply point for wagon trains on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails.
One of the most unique items on display was the punishment horse. A wooden horse with a simple log design built to deal with soldiers who tried to get out of doing chores in 1866.
At the time Captain Anson Mills had a discipline problem. Men were committing petty crimes so they would be thrown into the guard house for 24 hours. The issue was, the men were getting the rest and getting out of doing chores.
To confront the bad behavior Captain Mills designed the punishment horse where those who now committed petty crimes would be required to sit on the log horse and hold the large wooden sword for many hours at a time for all the other men and women at the fort to see.
They were required to occasionally feed, water, and curry the horse throughout the day, not only would the horse become uncomfortable, it would also create embarrassment.
It was also common to find soldiers on the grounds, collecting dandelions for fermentation of dandelion wine, the most common alcoholic beverage for soldiers.
This year’s bicycle tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events in 2026 and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
A stunning example of farm history sits to the right of the highway leading into downtown Park City, Utah. The historic McPolin Farmstead is a local landmark and highly photographed as the majestic white barn has watched the world grow around it since 1921.
The barn and other out buildings are locked tight however the public is invited to roam the grounds and relish in stories about a simpler time told through farming equipment and a glimpse through a barn window.
Below is my best attempt to channel West Bend historian Dave Bohn and describe recollections of farming shared in information stations on the grounds.
The massive “Improvement-Era” barn was built around 1920 by Daniel and Isabel McPolin.
It measures 100‘ x 35‘ and was made partially of recycled timber salvaged from the old mining mill building.
The timbers were fitted together without the use of nails and have withstood hard winters.
The barn has a combined use of hay storage, livestock and dairy operations all under the 7,468-square-foot structure.
The barns gambrel roof allowed for maximum storage of hay on the second floor and openings through the floor provided easy delivery of feed to the cows below.
Two parallel rows of stanchions held the cows during milking and feeding and a wide center aisle provided minimum obstruction for animals as they entered and left the barn.
In the days before refrigeration pond ice was cut in blocks and stored in layers of hay beneath the barn floor for use.
In 1953 the concrete milk parlor was added to the front of the building and two concrete silos built at the back to store grain
The hay elevator – once the hay had been cut, raked and allowed to dry it was bailed.
The baler ejected the bales on the ground and the finished product had to be picked up and hauled to the barn for storage.
This hay elevator would’ve made that process much easier by doing the heavy, lifting. The elevator was attached to the side of a flatbed truck or a wagon with the bottom end face forward.
The elevator scooped up the bales and lifted them to the top of the elevator, ejecting them to the side and onto the truck or wagon.
A couple of the boys caught the bales as they came off the elevator and stacked them. Power to the elevator came from the wheels on the ground the faster the truck went faster.
The bale flew off the top while catching and stacking the bales picking them off the ground.
The work was still hard and to keep things fair the hay crew took turns driving the truck.
Hay wagon to transport hay from the field to the barn and the farmers used flatbed trucks and wagons. The hay wagon could be towed behind a truck or tractor or even a team of horses.
This wagon is a unique piece of farm-built ingenuity as manufacturers sold running gear or the frame and axle set.
The farmer built his own deck on top and sized the dimensions of his barn and tractor instead of buying a commercial wagon chassis for his hay wagon the chassis from a 1920s or 1930s Cadillac car was used.
The hay wagon was used to haul hay from the barn to the fields where the cattle were fed. Snow wagons were equipped with runners instead of wheels and pulled by horses.
The horse-draw hay rake is a full generation older than the other machinery. The earliest haymaking methods were labor-intensive.
Hay was hand cut with a sickle bar in swaths 6 to 10 feet wide and dried where it was cut.
The hay rake pulled the hay together into piles when the rake filled with hay, the rake released or tripped, leaving a pile in the field.
Farm hands with pitchforks, then tossed loose hay onto a wagon for transportation to the barn.
At the barn the loose hay was picked up by fork, suspended from the gable end of the barn and winched up into the loft.
The forks hung from a trolley attached to the ridge beam of the barn, allowing the hay to be piled evenly in the barn.
A draft horse, pulling a system of ropes and pullies powered the winch. The end of the hay trolley is still visible in the gable and roof overhang of the barn.
Looking inside the family home on the property which included hardwood floors, a wringer washer in the corner, a treadle sewing machine, and wood stove. How many items do you recognize?
Side notes from the tour:
Drifted out of Park City this week into Wyoming. Mileage included: 36.40 from Salt Lake to Park City and 65.54 to Evanston, WY. Lots of steep elevation changes. Sunny skies and temps in the 80s.
I’ve had the most lovely hosts including Linda who adopted me in a heartbeat as I was chatting with her boss outside Eric Heiden’s medical practice. Linda treasures her grandson and is a woman of great faith.
In Evanston, WY, a hat tip to Rev. Jim from St. Mary’s Parish who let me sleep on the church hall floor and spoiled me with a nice dinner on Main Street. Rev. Jim went to school in Hales Corners, WI and served Mass with Cardinal Dolan.
Toured the Olympic Training Oval while in Salt Lake City, UT.
Found several mentions of Kewaskum-area speedskater Jordan Stolz including his 2022 appearance at the Beijing Olympics and his track record in the 1000m.
Some other familiar Wisconsin faces at the oval in Utah included Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, and Eric Heiden.
Women’s hockey from UW-Madison was also represented with skates from Cammi Granato.
This year’s bicycle tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events in 2026 and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
On vacation yet stressing about the climb up Emigration Pass, Little Mountain and over to Park City, Utah. I’ve easily done 39 miles before, loaded with about 80 pounds of gear. But the mountains to the east are daunting, like a wall of 90-degree rock.
I slept a little and prayed a lot. I flipped on my red blinking taillight and headed out at 5 a.m. in the dark. Nervous and wanting to turn around, my anxiety was getting to me and with each pedal stroke I reassured myself this was the adventure I relished.
Spinning up Donner Hill I stopped to put on biking pants and a heavier jacket, temps were dropping as I headed up the mountain pass. Odd, I wasn’t alone.
”You look like you’re going a long way,” said a wirey woman dressed in biking gear.
It was someone I didn’t know but from my same tribe. “Have fun,” she said and was off with the glow of a red light in her wake.
That same scenario happened time and time again that morning. Cheers from other riders and shouts of encouragement. “You’re doing it,” said one man embedded in a pack of six older bikers.
I was doing it and as my doubts faded my confidence renewed. My journey was also not as difficult as ones before me who blazed the path in the 1800’s.
“August 23, 1846, and the ill-fated Donner-Reed party had reached the place where I started at Wasatch Mountains. Here at this narrow mouth of the canyon they were stopped by what seemed impenetrable brush and boulders.
“Bone weary they decided instead to climb the hill in front of them. 12-year-old Virginia Reed later recalled that nearly every yolk of oxen was required to pull each of the parties 23 wagons up the hill.
“After this ordeal, the oxen needed rest, but there was no time the party pushed on to the salt flats where many of the oxen gave out. This caused delays which led to the disaster in the Sierra Mountains.”
I had reached the peak. The sun was out and the day warming. I asked a biker next to me if there was water below. “Not for a while… are you out? You can have mine I’m headed home and you look like you’re on a journey.”
And with that my new best friend Ian dumped his water bottle into mine.
Another older biker Steve asked me my route. “You’re about 6,000-feet elevation, you should be proud,” he said.
Steve made the same climb three times a week.
While I had my route laid out the I80 alternative looked inviting; read that as shorter distance. Although the Interstate was filled with ominous semis, they too were slowed to a crawl because of the 5-percent grade.
I was proud of my initial climb but two more similar treks that day…. I’ll be honest, if someone had offered me a ride I would have taken it.
Exit 140 and the Moose Cafe came to my rescue. Small diner which featured a huge sun puddle next to the south side of the building. I pulled up a piece of sidewalk and sat down.
The elevation and a breakfast of 3 Twizzlers candy whips was making my head hurt.
My eyes closed and back to the wall I was soaking in the sun when there was some shuffling next to me.
An older man in a colorful black apron with the word Peru written on the front sat a black metal chair next to me. “For you. Sit,” he said.
It was Juan Acharte, the owner of the Moose Cafe. He then quietly slipped back inside the diner and closed the door.
I sat on the chair out of respect, knowing they were watching through the window. In about 5 minutes I was lying on the ground in the sun hoping for a short nap.
Juan, 83, and his wife Rosa emigrated from Peru 28 years ago. “Our children had been exchange students in the US and then they moved here and the only way to really see them was to come here too,” said Rosa.
Safety in the States was also a key factor. Juan was part of the military in Peru. Rosa, 65, feigned carrying a rifle and
spoke about always having to look over her shoulder in Peru.
”In the US it was not easy but there was opportunity,” she said.
The couple worked odd jobs, mostly in healthcare taking care of senior citizens.
Seven years ago they took over the Moose Cafe and haven’t looked back.
Side-notes from the tour:
I gave Juan and Rosa one of the postcards of Jordan and Juan promptly placed it behind glass in the curio cabinet full of his treasures at the entrance to the cafe.
I had steak tacos for lunch. Hearty chunks of steak inside homemade soft-shell tacos accompanied by 2 small containers of fresh onion and cilantro and shredded cheese. Much better biking with protein according to my coaches at A1 Health and Fitness.
Park City has a network of fabulous paved bike paths that run parallel to the main highway. The area leading into the city is filled with art, agriculture and signs from the 2002 Winter Olympics.
If you’re enjoying tagging along on the 2025 tour and would like to be part of Team Jordan and supporting his efforts in the 2026 Winter Olympics please feel free to make a kind donation. Gold medalist Dan Jansen has offered use of the Dan Jansen Foundation and will use his 501c3 to donate 100% of the monies noted to Jordan Stolz.
Flights were on time, bike arrived unscathed, met some great new friends and my credit card got cancelled, but all in all a great first day in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Roger wrote ”Life-changing article” on the cover of the issue and over the years he’d tour many different countries, working for two years to save enough money so he could pedal for two years.
It was also funny to learn he did not inform his wife they would be having a house guest until two days before my arrival.
They were gracious hosts and have been married 28 years.
Other people I met in one day.
James gave me the thumbs up at the airport. I had no idea who he was but we were from the same tribe, both hauling huge cardboard bike boxes into checkin at United Airlines. James got his box through the large-item security while I was still being grilled about why I was traveling with a big screen TV.
James was 27 and a racer. “Your career lasts as long as you don’t mind crashing,” he said. Then he held up his arm so I could see the big fresh red scab running down his elbow.
“I hit the fencing on a turn… but at least it was padded, so this isn’t too bad.”
I met Darryl as I pedaled Salt Lake City, looking for a grocery. He was a Maverick. High energy, owns a vehicle upholstery business, has six bicycles in his collection, and was busy trying to roll what remained of a 1915 jalopy into place as yard art.
I stopped to watch the show and was quickly recruited to help shove it in place. It was a hunk of metal with wooden spoke wheels. Darryl found it on marketplace and traveled 200 miles round trip to get it home.
Met George at his shop, George’s Alternative Uses Demolition and Salvage. His business focused on recycling discarded building material.
George came outside armed with a wrench; I had asked for help tightening a nut on my handlebar headset.
After the quick fix I toured his awesome store with narrow paths between displays. I was pleasantly impressed he knew exactly where that one wrench was located.
Thanks for following along on the 2025 tour from Salt Lake City, UT to Wisconsin. This year’s tour is intended to highlight previous Winter Olympics as we head into the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
Local speed skater Jordan Stolz is expected to compete in four events and if you would like to be part of Team Jordan feel free to pledge your support by using the QR code below courtesy the Dan Jansen Foundation.
Jansen’s foundation is a 501c3 and he’s agreed to donate 100% of all support noted to Jordan Stolz. Be part of Team Stolz today.
Below is a unique scenario witnessed while waiting for my next flight. Who knew?
