All the maps and directions one receives may prove meaningless once one is on the road. Studying a detailed Minnesota map at last night's motel, gave me confidence in David's little hand-drawn map. I found the small road which bridged the Mississippi River, and the other roads leading into Minneapolis. I was reasonably confident that I could fo.low the route that David sketched out. Getting onto the bike trails system was a different issue, but I would be in a motel before I ventured onto it. That would be tomorrow's issue.

A quick check on my smart phone had the distance between St. Cloud, where I was staying, and Bloomington, my destination, was 75 miles. By bicycle, it is always considerably longer, but I figured it at 100 miles. If I rode 50 to 60 miles today, I should be in good shape tomorrow.

The temperatures were about 10 degrees below normal, with today's high to be 75. I left the motel close to 8 AM, but it was after 10:30 AM before I took off my windbreaker. Not too long after starting, i came to a Rest Area, which offered free, detailed maps of  the stae, so I took one. Little did I know all the use it would get today. Stopping for lunch, I asked several people where the bridge was, and the second person gave me good diections. At least they would have been if I had followed them. Or maybe they dtill were good in spite of my ineptitude. I made a right turn instead of a left turn but discovered the error within 1/2 mile.

My friend yesterday, David, said there were lots of restaurants and motels. I discovered the first of those to be true.

Do you remember the scene from the movie called "The Jerk", starring Steve Martin? He was leaving home and stuck out his thumb to hitchhike.  A car picked him up and delivered him to the end of the fence, 60 feet away. I was reminded of that when I discovered the Mississippi River Trail. I rode down a winding asphalt pathway to the trail. Within 50 feet, it started angling back up to the street. Apparently, I had entered it 50 feet from its end. 

I became a serious directions asker (if there is such a thing). By the end of the day, at least a dozen, maybe two dozen, folks were approached with requests. Motels were getting scarce, but I finally found one. I do not recall ever finding so many people that did not have a clue.

So tomorrow's migration, via bicycle trails, will be interesting, and, no doubt, challenging. I suspect that once I am onto the trail system, I will be primarily dealing with bicyclers, so  my success ratio should improve.

Having ridden 63 miles today, Bloomington, according to my phone, is 23 miles away. Comparing car miles and bicycle miles is sort of like comparing human years to dog years. However, it would not surprise me if I arrive in Bloomington after 35 miles. Jack's place is on the far side of Bloomington, so it could be a 40-50 mile day. The weather should be pleasant, and a bit warmer.

At least I have a little more time for devotions.

God's peace to you all.