I have now completed four states and I started my fifth state today. I ended yesterday in Fargo, ND, just a couple miles from the Minnesota state line. Fargo, ND, and Moorhead, MN, are really one metropolitan area. This morning, I rode into Minnesota, then back into North Dakota, and then back into Minnesota, all along the Red River waterfront through numerous parks.

Once I got on the open road outside of Fargo/Moorhead, I was heading SE into a headwind. It generally wasn't a strong headwind, but it did slow me down and made a good portion of the ride frustrating. Here are a few pictures from that part of the day.

Golf course: Meet corn field. It'd be tough if you hit your ball into the corn field.

In the town of Barnesville, there was a sign for Breckenridge and a highway 9 sign. I live near Breckenridge, Colorado, and Colorado Highway 9 runs right through town. So those two signs side-by-side in Minnesota made me chuckle.

Next up was a lot in Fergus Falls with a whole bunch of different ambulances all lined up. Each one had a different logo and paint job. It turns out that it's a specialty vehicle customization shop. Ah-ha! Now it makes sense.

Once I got through Fergus Falls, I jumped onto the Central Lakes State Trail, which is the first of over 100 continuous miles of rec path through Minnesota. The first few miles on the Central Lakes State Trail from Fergus Falls to Dalton were absolutely fantastic. Even though I was still heading SE, the wind had died down some and there was more cover in the form of trees and terrain that made it a very pleasant ride.
There were numerous ponds and small lakes adjacent to the trail.

This snapping turtle was sunning himself on the side of the trail. It's hard to tell from this picture, but it was fairly big; it's shell was about a foot wide and one-and-a-half foot long. Needless to say, I didn't get too close.

Parts of the trail were lined with trees and there were just enough leaves on the trail to make it feel like fall.

Just another small lake.

And more trees and leaves on the path.

Just a little past Dalton, there was a Purple Heart Memorial just off the trail. I think it was privately funded and maintained.



I rolled into Ashby, my planned stopping spot today, but not before I took a couple more closing photos for the day.


Lailla also got a good photo of me at today's finish.



Comments

  1. MetteSeptember 3, 2025 at 2:19 AM

    I am amazed you have time, let alone energy to write your blog at the end of the day. That and the fact that you actually notice so many details en route. I love all your pictures. Great picture from the brewery of you 4 guys. Nice that Lailla has company during the day.
    You were well set up for the night. But had I known you were stopping in Fargo for the night I could’ve recommended a hotel. Former Microsoft manager Dough Burgham - now in the Senate(or congress? ) - owns a hotel there with his wife. I remember the rooms as very nice and simplistic.
    Still wishing you a safe ride

    ReplyDelete
  2. AlexSeptember 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM

    Love the Colorado “doppelgänger”signs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rob TSeptember 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM

    It is impressive that you are taking the time to snap quite a few pictures most of the time and complete the blog daily....Go man go!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bill WSeptember 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM

    I'll make this comment for others posting comments. One of the joys of being a bicycle rider is how much more one sees along the way. I agree with the comments of others and the number of pictures you've taken. I did as well. A side advantage of stopping to take a picture is it provides the rider a short, be it a very short, chance to get off the saddle and give the butt and legs a little rest and stretch. It is amazing how much such a short stop can revitalize the sore parts of the body. At least it did for me.

    ReplyDelete

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