It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

I've tried to make my posts in this blog somewhat philosophical or focus on an unusual event of the day, or maybe look at trends that we see over the course of several days.  But today gets a story of its own since it was so sweet. 
The day dawned cool and moist, with low clouds hanging over the surrounding lakes around our motel in Napoleon, ND.  The pervasive head winds had died to a whisper and were actually now coming out of the northwest.  Numerous lakes with pelicans and cormorants framed both sides of the road. 

 

Traffic was almost non-existent as we flew east down highway 34.  As the lakes faded to hay fields, the hay bales looked like giant loaves of bread, spread out across a golden colored tablecloth. 

 

Turning north and then east, the tail winds picked up as we got to Gackle (where did that name come from?).

 

To add to the boost from the tailwind, we actually dropped over 800' in the 50 miles after Gackle.  Gayle met us before Litchville with a sumptuous lunch and sent us on our way.  Crossing over the Sheyenne River we saw the old highway bridge, now forlorn and abandoned over the muddy water. 

With 111 miles under our tires we rolled into our destination of Enderlin, ND at 5:45pm, tired, yet proud of the day's accomplishment.  So, a century ride in cool, dry weather, downhill with the wind at our back, with little traffic on a smooth road, through beautiful countryside, without a lot of gear, along with a good friend and wife.....it doesn't get much better than this!