Connecticut to California – Day 2 – August 13, 2000 

“In the valley of the     Ho  Ho  Ho  Jolly Green Giant”

To the best of my recollection from a Green Giant commercial many years ago. Did you ever wonder where the Jolly Green Giant lives? I have it on very good authority that he or she lives right here in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Actually, the very good authority is “Walt.”  Walt sat down next to me at the counter of the Country Kitchen Restaurant – which is right next door to the Super 8 Motel right here in Blue Earth.  When he sat down next to me he piped right up and said, “You ain’t from around these parts are you?”  I allowed as how I wasn’t and asked if he had been here long.  Whereupon he responded, “Been farmin here all my life – ‘cept when I went off to fight The War (WWII).

So I asked him about the sign I saw out on the highway – on my way in – that said “The Home of the Jolly Green Giant.”  “Yep, this here’s the place.”  Why just last week they came in and took nearly a hundred acres of my corn in just one night – had it in the cans before dawn the next day.”  Went on to tell me that there is a 50ft sign of the giant just a little piece down the road if I’d like to take a look.  I promise him I’ll take a look in the morning.

Now the rest of my day on the road from Ohio to Minnesota pales in comparison to finding the home of Jolly Green Giant.  Started at 7:30 a.m. – 63 degrees – clear sky and the sun at my back.  Riding down the road, my shadow is directly in front of me – I am chasing it to the horizon.  The Ohio countryside is beautiful and fresh – extremely fresh when I smell the cows and pigs that are nowhere to be seen, but nevertheless may be experienced just the same.

Just over the Indiana border, the weather begins to go downhill quickly.  Scattered showers again today – and don’t you know I am loving my First Gear Suit and Cruiserworks boots.  Started out this morning with the Nolan helmet – so I stop briefly to put on my neoprene gloves – close the helmet and I am riding in the rain.

Got a good look at America’s industrial infrastructure in Gary, Indiana and hit Chicago at 11:00 a.m.  I’m not sure there is any good time to ride a bike through Chicago, but Sunday morning probably is about as close as you are going to get.  Visited friends near Chicago a couple of months ago and took the architectural river cruise.  Loved the cruise – loved Chicago – and love you too Ronn and Carolyn hope your reading this.

 I’m dying to get to Wisconsin.  I’ve been paying tolls on every mile I have driven since I crossed into Ohio from Pennsylvania.  Enough already.  Get with the program folks and dump the tolls.  Connecticut finally got the message.

Now Wisconsin has its act together with a traveler friendly state.  I am really impressed with the color weather radar on television sets at every rest area.  Now we all know that I am an expert weather forecaster – so I just check the radar to confirm my already correct forecast.

click on photo!

 I have to confess that I didn’t know that the Mississippi River came all the way up this far north and forms the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Must have been one of those things I missed when I wasn’t paying attention in eighth grade geography.  Anyway it does and I have pictures to prove it.

Now, I just hope the Jolly Green Giant – if he does live here – doesn’t snore as bad as I do.

The bike trip meter says 629.7 the Garmin III+ trip meter says 649.7 and I say Goodnight from Blue Earth, Minnesota.

First order of business tomorrow is giant stalking – stay tuned – pics to follow if I find him.

Connecticut Yankee in Yosemite Valley- the Trek
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