It’s exactly a month since we left Seattle – but it seems more like a lifetime ago, and a very long way away. And there are only 2 weeks left until we roll into Boston. The trip is suddenly flying by. 

Last night’s hotel made a huge fuss of us, and we did an interview and posed for photos in our gear. We didn’t mind at all because it was a really nice place, brand new, and with a good restaurant. The Marshfield Hotel. 

Of all the states we have crossed, I would say that Wisconsin has provided some of the best cycling. The roads are almost car free, (off the few main arteries obviously), and they roll along gently through some lovely countryside peppered with lakes and waterways. It doesn’t have a ‘wow’ factor – but for relaxed cycling, this is very pleasant. Previous states have had so few tarred roads that we had to share them with the trucks.

Farms are typically wooden, painted in gentle Farrow and Ball colours, with mansard roofs and, incongrously, a couple of concrete silos for cattle feed sticking up highest.

Today’s second breakfast was at Steven’s Point. We stopped to admire a huge steam loco on display in a shaded shed.  Earlier on we had been racing the real thing – waving to the driver and sprinting past!

 We were directed to the local diner, which was more like a busy community centre. There were 60 people, at least, all having a cheap breakfast and a chat. We caused our usual stir just by walking in – and they were all very friendly. 

The remainder of the day passed pleasently enough – though I think I may have drifted off, because I have already forgotten about 50 miles of it! Though I remember another excellent chicken salad and ice cream for lunch, and posing for yet another picture for a hotel/restaurant facebook page!

Now we are in the delightfully named town of Neenah – I am still waiting to hear my first emergency vehicle siren – beside Lake Winnebago. Tomorrow morning we will leg it across to Lake Michigan for the afternoon ferry.