Minnesota - 2008 - The Heartland

The Heartland - The Heartland Trail

Friday, July 18

Drove to Grand Rapids and had coffee at Brewed Awakenings. Drove to Walker, where we biked 45 miles round trip on the Heartland Trail to Cass Lake. We had lunch in a park where a food festival was taking place. We checked into the condos (part of Grand View Lodge) on Gull Lake. Dinner was at the Italian Gardens.

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Morning coffee	Ed checking up on the news	Orienting ourselves


Food festival at Cass Lake	Grand View Lodge	View to the lake


Chillin' on Gull Lake...	...with a view of our condo behind us	Dinner at Italian Gardens


Our own private dining room

Saturday, July 19

Weather report told us to expect thundershowers in the afternoon. Hence we started early on the Paul Bunyan Trail from Nisswa to Brainerd. Unfortunately, it began to rain, then pour, when we were about halfway to Brainerd. We decided to forge ahead, and completed the 15 mile trip in the pouring rain. We found a Perkins Restaurant in Brainerd, where we hoped to stay until the rain stopped. At 2 pm, Mary Kay and Janet took a cab back to the trailhead to get the cars. We loaded up the bikes and returned to Gull Lake. In late afternoon the rain stopped, and the sun came out. We had drinks and appetizers on the pontoon boat, and had deli sandwiches for dinner.


Seeking shelter	Loading the bikes in the rain	What fun!!


Trying to stay dry!!	Ken still loading bikes!	Appetizers on the pontoon boat


Jeanne, the 2008 Mary Kay Memorial Hearts Trophy winner, being given the trophy by Ed, last year's winner