July 11. We left Arthur with a tailwind and everything went well for about half an hour. Then, we turned due west, the wind switched and we were barely able to make 6 mph. By the time we got to Cooperstown we were sunburned, windburned, hot, tired and lucky to get the the last room in town due to their summerfest. Decided we had seen enough of the country for now and felt as though we'd learned a few things about bike touring and camping that will make our next trip a little easier. The next day was able to locate a u haul truck in Valley City, ND about 48 miles from Cooperstown. Got off to a late start, about 11, and headed south toward Valley City to pick up the u haul. With the wind against us once again, we rode 26 miles in about 3 1/2 hours. Stopped and asked a fisherman directions, he said we were about 25 miles away with a lot of big hills to come, which I didn't tell
Kim. When we made the turn, Kim said I hope theres not a lot of hills. We stopped at an intersection to take some aleve and a pick-up truck happened along. I flagged him down, asked if he was going to Valley City, and how much for a ride. He said no charge and we loaded the bikes in the back. He was a very nice guy. He was an outfitter for white tail deer and bird hunts. He had a loaded carbine between the front seats he said he used for coyote. It took us over 1/2 hour in that truck to make the last 18 miles. After seeing all the hills, it would have taken us another 4 or 5 hours of biking. I told the guy I think he saved our marriage. It started raining before we got to the motel and as we unloaded the bikes it really let loose. Found out later a tornado had touched down just a few miles south of us. Someone was watching over us. If anyone wants to go hunting, I have
George's card. Got a 20 ft rental truck, we're on our way home enjoying the ac and the smooth ride.

July 8, day 24. Our traveling buddy, Mike left us early this morning on his return trip home. We stopped for breakfast at the fry n pan and stopped at the bike shop just before it opened. Talked to a man from Minot whose house had flooded. He barely made it out. He was given half an hour warning. Fema has temporarily relocated him to fargo. He said 12,000 houses are flooded. Got lost going out of town and had to climb the same hill twice for no good reason. We finally made it to old route 81 and headed north then west. Made it to arthur, ND about 3:30 or 4. We had lunch at Kellys and the waitress told us we could camp at the city park for free and take a shower at the racquet club. Pretty nice, eh? People have been very nice this trip. We turned over 1,000 miles today.

July 7, day 23. Traveled about 71 miles and made it to fargo, ND last night at about 6. Today we had some r & r / rode around fargo, got a haircut, went to the bike shop and visited the library. Tomorrow morn, 7/8, we will be leaving early, hopefully, and traveling route 200 to bypass Minot, which is flooded, and head to coopersville. I heard we're suppose to have good weather. We will be losing our good, traveling partner, mike, he's heading back to green bay. SO, it's just us two once again.

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Duly 5, day 21. Had a heck of a storm last night. Manager came out and tried to get us to go in the shelter, but mike wouldn't do it. Woke up to nice day, and ate breakfast at ruby's in Ashby, MN. Did laundry and rode the trail down to Fergus falls on delagoon lake. This is the end of the trail. Back on the road tomorrow riding to fargo.