Flat as a Pancake

Today was flat as a pancake.  The only climb in our 61 mile ride into Fargo was an incline over a freeway.  We had to ride through a 4 mile construction zone today and the flag men let us go on our own and not have to wait for the pilot car.  It was nice having the whole road to ourselves.

Along the road today we had a section where the tiniest frogs were hopping across the road.  It took a while to realize what they were.  I wonder how many survive the crossing.  I suspect not to many make it.

When we stopped half way in Kindred for a break, we were right across from a John Deere shop.  A machanic was out working on a big combine.  It was used for harvesting soy beans.  He told us that they cost $400,000 each and many farmers have 3-4 of these machines.  They also have different attachments depending on the weather when the crops need harvesting.  So a farmer can easily have a million dollars in just a few pieces of farm equipment.

We are impressed with Fargo.  We are camped in a city park that is partly flooded from all the rain.  The camping area survived the flooding.  We went to a really nice bike shop in the downtown that is in the old train depot.  Russ needed a new chain.  The other day out on the road he lost the quick release link on his chain.  He couldn't find it and luckily, John came along with a chain tool and they took a link out to have a pin to reattach the chain.  Otherwise, Russ would have been calling for a pick up.

A $400,000 combine

Tomorrow we cross the river and enter Minnesota.