Tomorrow Mel and I are starting the first leg of (hopefully) a multi year section by section bicycle ride of the Mississippi River Trail. This trail starts at the headwaters of the Mississippi in Itasca MN and ends at the Gulf of Mexico. While following the river the landscape will change from northern Minnesota forests to Midwest farm land to southern bayou. A very unique perspective! We will watch the river start like a small stream and then grow state by state to eventually have barges, trains, and major cities all along the route.

This will be Mel’s first weeklong bike touring trip! We did a short trip last year to see if she would enjoy it – and she did! The plan is 320ish miles in 5 days for this segment.

This is the time of the trip where all the planning is done and it’s time to hit the road in the morning. Maps and routes have been checked and double checked. Locations for food and lodging are found. Bikes are ready and bags are loaded. Weather has been reviewed and all is ready to go. It’s a lot of planning to do one of these trips. And yet the most important thing is to hold loosely to the plans. Weather can change. Stuff breaks. Roads close due to construction. Winds pop up and slow progress. All these require flexibility and adaptability.

I have found that over the years these unplanned storms or detours or last minute stops can lead to some amazing times of meeting people or learning new routes. I have SO many stories of a change of plans turn into a blessing. This is what I have been learning more and more over the years. Plan all you can and then adapt as you must and then look for the blessing in the midst.

So here on the eve of our trip we are fully planned and fully ready to scratch those plans as needed and let the Lord lead.

Praying for an amazing trip to meet new people, Experience Minnesota by bike and enjoy sharing lots of pedal time with my wife.

Time for bed…