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A whirlwind adventure: Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska…

By
Judy
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1

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.

I’m sure my team at A1 Health and Fitness would approve.

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!

2025-Jordan

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.

winter-olympics

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.

VIDEO | Heart and history on the Lincoln Highway

By
Judy
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1

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.

winter-olympics

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.

VIDEO | 1920 McPolin Farmstead in Park City, UT

By
Judy
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1
Park City, Utah – 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 pulleys 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.

winter-olympics

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.

 

Up and over to Park City, Utah

By
Judy
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1

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.

Salt Lake City welcomes with open arms

By
Judy
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0

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?

2025 Tour – Salt Lake City to WI

By
Judy
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0
2025-Jordan

The 2025 BikeWriTer tour will begin shortly. This year I’m wrapping the adventure around the 2026 Winter Olympics in an effort to raise interest and a little money for speed skater Jordan Stolz.

If you’re not familiar with Jordan yet… get on board because this kid is fire. At 21, he’s already earned the title “Fastest Man on Ice.”

I will be documenting my bicycle tour from Salt Lake City, Utah which will include touring the Olympic Training Rink, talking to some Olympians, and pedaling home. I’m calling it vacation and can’t wait for the adventure to begin.

The planning for this year’s tour has been extraordinary; the destination ties in perfectly with Stolz and his goal to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Training….

At 61 years old I figured I needed to buckle down on training. In 2024 the tour from Wichita, Kansas to Wi was extraordinary. Totaled 969 miles in 16 days and met a ton of great people. This year, I understand there will be more challenging terrain, so I was determined to improve my strength and conditioning and in November 2024 chose A1 Health & Fitness to whip me into shape.

What a great fitness family. Everyone is encouraging and the coaches set the bar high. I may not be the strongest, but the coaches agree “Judy has a good engine.”

Jersey ….

A1 Health & Fitness was generous donating a pair of jerseys for the tour. Now, I just needed to find a sewing angel to help install pockets on the back. Jean from Cedar Community had ninja seamstress skills.

For the pockets we went with a light blue material dotted with cartoon bunnies – similar to a child’s blanket.  Does it make sense?  “It’ll keep people guessing,” said Jean.

Non-profit to help support Jordan…

The Dan Jansen Foundation has been a dream to work with. Jansen agreed to allow me to use his foundation to direct donations to Jordan. The Dan Jansen Foundation is an established 501c3; all donations are tax deductible. Jansen is forwarding 100% of the donations to Jordan – so make sure to note ‘Jordan Stolz’ when offering your support.

Another big thank you goes to photographer Noel Stave from Stave Studios, Inc. in Minnesota. I needed a high-resolution image of Jordan skating for the front of the fundraising postcard. Without hesitation Stave said ‘Yes.’

Hannah Stolz also chipped in with an image of her brother winning the Oscar Mathisen trophy in Hamar, Norway. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding speed skating performance of the season. This was the second year in a row Stolz won the award.

Also, a hat tip to Mark and the team at Pedal Moraine. The fellas helped get my bike ready for the tour and provided bike boxes for transport.

Finally, a little insight on Jordan. This young man is going to put Washington County, Wi on the map. He is focused on his training, and it’s interesting to think someone from Kewaskum can be going to the Olympics for speed skating when Kewaskum doesn’t even have an ice rink.

Jordan’s coach Bob Corby painted the picture of what’s happening 8 months ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.  Jordan currently has 12 workouts a week, about 25 to 30 hours. In one month, he only has one rest day. “And it’s getting harder,” said Corby. “People have no idea.”

Stolz was just named to the ISU Long Track National Team. The announcement for the Olympic team?  Circle your calendar because the U.S. Olympic Trials are going to be at the Pettit Ice Center in Milwaukee, WI.

Stay tuned, the tour begins Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Behind the scenes | Cross country biking life

By
Judy
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0
I’ve been on the road for 14 days and am pedaling back to Wisconsin from Wichita, Kansas.

Most of the time I’m able to cobble together a story or two about the great people I meet and some of the adventures along the way.

Below are some of the things you really don’t see. So I’m pulling back the curtain a bit on what it’s like to tour cross country by bike.

This past Saturday was the hottest day so far on tour. Temps were in the upper 80s and lots of sun. Between 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. it’s a scorcher; the sun beats on the back of my calves. I took a break at Shaw’s Marketplace as I crossed into Illinois and headed to Freeport for the night. I buy a bottle of water and, since there are no individual popsicles… I bought a box of a dozen. I didn’t go all Jabba the Hutt on devouring the entire box… but I made a good dent. A woman with a little girl passed by and inquired about the tour. After I shoved two popsicles in my sport bra I gave her the rest of the box. The coolness of the chesticles was exhilarating and just what the Dr. ordered to stave off any potential heat stroke. I’m sure you’ll find that noted in medical textbooks as a simple cure-all.

Glamorous: It’s not glamorous at all. Lots of lovely sun and stinky sweat. When I land in a church or campsite I wash my clothes in a sink and hang them to dry… usually the clothes dry best on the back of the bike. I wedge the clothes under a bungee cord and they flap in the wind. It is very hobo’esque.

How many things can you identify on the back of the bike? The white plastic bag is food ie grapes, a peach and extra water. Normally I don’t carry a fan but I found this one on the side of the road, it’s light weight and it works.

Water break: Because of the heat, about 100 degrees, I take water breaks which also include a brief soak. It does make a difference but only after you start pedaling again and create a breeze. The initial dousing is like a shower of hot water – almost as hot as McD’s coffee. #notkidding

Continue

Treasured grocery in small-town Iowa

By
Judy
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0

Dixie stood behind the counter at the corner Delta Grocery in Delta, Iowa. The shop is definitely a throwback to the 1950s and ‘60s with hardwood floors, narrow aisles, and a mix of whatnot. It reminded me of when mom would send a handwritten note for the clerk to sell the kid a pack of smokes. And that worked.

Dixie has been at the store for over 40 years. She’s held a number of jobs in town. She was the clerk. She also had a stint as the treasurer and then back to the clerk’s position.

”It was definitely hard to keep everyone happy,” she said.

The hometown grocery is my new favorite. It overwhelmed the senses, like spinning in circles then trying to get your balance; where to start as it was all so amazing. The history and a smidge of hoarding… but in a nice grandmotherly way.

Dixie would be the gold standard grandma when it came to collecting Campbells Soup labels or Post Cereal box tops for school fundraisers for athletic equipment.

I found the fruit & vegetable section in the back. The refrigerator case that once held choice heads of lettuce and ripe oranges now served as kind of a catch-all for dry goods like a box of shiny silver Christmas ornaments, a book, and collector plates up top.

Classic artwork of old signage could be found behind shelving and partly covered by an advertisement clock for Prairie Farms – ‘A Taste of Quality.’

The Delta Grocery was a one-stop shop like a blended family with buttons from Hobby Lobby, a yard stick from Ace Hardware and plenty of representation from Dolly Madison, Blue Bunny ice cream and Twizzlers. Dixie was also health conscious as a basket of yellow bananas sat at the front counter.

Dixie knew where everything was and everything was in its place. When the front door clanged customers generally asked for one of two things… a pack of smokes or a cold drink.

The handwritten list of cigarette price was posted next to school pictures of her smiling grandkids.

There were vintage signs. ‘Misty – Slim & Sassy’ read the cigarette advertisement.

A man came in and asked for 3 packs of Marlboro. “That’ll be $30,” said Dixie. After he left she said, “It’s those who can afford it the least that buy it the most.”

There was a yellowed newspaper clipping of a neighbor who celebrated a birthday.

Dixie was surrounded by things that were important to her and she felt right at home.

The large hat was a talking point. The brim was nearly 3 feet in every direction. You could huddle a family of six out of the rain with that one hat.


”We’ve probably had more fun with that big floppy hat than anyone ever intended,” she said.

Rarely would a dated corner store be highlighted on a tourist map but this grocery is a historic gem for those who choose to stop and chat.

“Have I not commanded you? …  Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

______

The 2024 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raises money every year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2024.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.

Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095

Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432

You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.

VIDEO | Nostalgic Evel Knievel Museum

By
Judy
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Touring the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, KS

What kid in the 1970’s didn’t build a ramp to jump their bike like Evel Knievel? We did. Evel was legend. He inspired millions with his daredevil jumps over Snake River Canyon and we couldn’t wait to see him on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

The Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas, does justice to the motorcycle trailblazer with highlight videos of his famous crash at Caesars Palace to his obnoxious statements that made him the Barnum Bailey of motorcycles.

One of the interesting things during my time at the museum happened at the start where a young dad entered with his kids who appeared to be about 7 and 9.

The dad would read out loud some of the stories that went with the photos. You could tell he was in his element. Reliving the glory days of watching Evel Knievel and now he was sharing those treasured moments with his kids.

“He sure fell down a lot,” said the little boy.

“He was a trailblazer,” said the dad.

“Is that him on the ground,” said the little girl watching a video.

“Yes…,” said the dad with slight irritation. “But Evel did things nobody else was doing at the time….”

“Is that a doctor. That guy standing there looking at the man on the ground,” said the little boy.

“You guys just aren’t getting it,” said the frustrated dad.

I followed that family around the entire museum.

Tidbits from the tour…

Diana and Ed were fantastic hosts at Bob’s Lake. It was strictly a fishing lake, where they stocked the lake, you fish and then throw your catch back and that’s the deal.

The original building on the property was just a small fishing shack and then Diana and Ed remodeled it and built a house. I think the year was the 1990s.

The couple also owned a home in nearby Saint Joe, MO. “Our property is pretty much the entire block,” said Diana. “It’s right by the church. We call it ‘the hood.'”

Diana said there’s a lot of drug abuse and homelessness in the area.

They want to put the house on the market, but they are also trying to keep Bob’s Lake as developers are like pariahs and inundating them with calls to sell the lake so they can put up homes.

“We just want to keep this a simple fishing lake, where people can relax and come out with their moms and their sons and the dads,” said Diana.

The couple were very kind. My camping spot started as “any spot of green grass under the gazebo” and later, when they realized storms were coming overnight, they swapped it out for an empty shed. It was new, nice, clean and dry as storms did pass overnight.

Kindness of strangers.

As a funny side note, when I left in the morning Ed loaded me up with water and asked if I wanted a bag of ice to put in my cooler. He was clearly unaware of my setup but so kind to want the best for me on a hot tour.

  • I didn’t have a chance to snap a photo but a kid on a motorcycle passed me today. He was stocky, wore a helmet, and as he went by he pulled his feet off the pegs and mimicked me pedaling as he sped away. It was funny … today, he was my new favorite.

“Have I not commanded you? …  Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

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The 2024 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raises money every year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2024.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.

Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095

Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432

You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.

VIDEO | 1905 Seelye Mansion in Abilene, KS

By
Judy
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When building a home in Abilene, Kansas in 1905 Dr. and Mrs. Seelye wanted a “show house” and she got it right down to the electric by Thomas Edison. The piano, was direct from Steinway and why yes that is a Tiffany-designed fireplace in the grand hall.

Shopping to fill the 25 rooms, including 11 bedrooms was an undertaking. Mrs. Seelye did not lower herself to shop with the common folk at Macy’s or Gimbals; she shopped the entire mansion at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The house cost $55,000 and the interior was furnished for a mere $60,000.

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