July 2009 - Three Lakes Tour--and the Mississippi

Dear Friends,

Our pilgrimage has taken us to the shores of Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The Great Lakes make a deep impression, and are a tremendous storehouse of fresh water. The way to Mackinac Island, in Lake Huron was quite interesting. We were cycling in the evening, looking for a place to camp, and had not seen any people for a long time. Then a man came out to the road to get his mail. He waved to us. We stopped, chatted for a while, and eventually accepted his invitation to tent in his yard. He is a manager for the state parks in the area, and often travels to the island. We were blessed to meet his wonderful family, and he gave us tickets for the ferry to Mackinac Island.

We were quite at home there, as there is no motorized traffic allowed. There is some horse traffic...and a lot of bicycles! As guests of the Catholic Church, we met many of the employees on the island, as that church has a special ministry to them. We sang at a Philipino mass and were welcomed like family to their dinner afterwards. Then we worked at a free dinner given to all the employees, and met (mostly young) people from nearly all over the world.

Taking the ferry to St. Ignace, we then cycled to and along the shore of Lake Michigan. Then it was up to Lake Superior, which we left in Duluth. It is a powerful and majestic lake...aptly named. Due to manufacturing defects in two of our rims, we had been having constant trouble with our rear wheels since central Michigan. In Duluth, a very kind mechanic finally helped us to resolve the last problem, which put our minds at ease, as we were cycling from and into rather remote areas.

In the east of Minnesota, we met a number of people of Finnish background. One remarkable fellow allowed us to tent by the lake on his farm. He was a gem and rock dealer. A tour through his storehouse was like being in a museum, beautiful and fascinating. Our hosts, the landscape and weather made us feel almost as if we were back in Finnland those days.

Cycling westward we came to the Mississippi port of Grand Forks, just in time for Independence Day. Kindly invited by the Orthodox priest and his wife, we visited the old iron mines and settlements around Hibbing and Chisolm, MN. The world's largest open pit iron mine is in that area. The industry brought people from many different nations there: especially Scandinavians and eastern Europeans.

While cycling through reservations, we had some meetings with Native Americans. One feels their love of nature--and we appreciated a few bicycle paths on the reservations. Some people, however, seemed to be struggling more than others. We met some pursuing higher education or socially active. There were also others caught up in drugs or alcohol...or trapped in the web of the social welfare bureaucracy.

Before long we had cycled to Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi. The origin of the largest river in the US was first shown to an American explorer--Schoolcraft--by an Indian Chief. He named the lake as the "true head" of the Mississippi--"verITAS CAput" in Latin, which became ITASCA.

A day after leaving Itasca, the west wind blew strong. And stronger. At times we crawled at 4 or 5 mph, or simply pushed the bikes. The constant wind and slow speeds also bring up a mental trial, and one is challenged to think positively, keep one's spirits up and remain in prayer. Interestingly, we had some deep and interesting encounters just at this time. In one remote area, without any trees or bushes around, Alexandra had to relieve herself. We saw a radio station at the edge of a town, and she asked to used the rest room. Before long, we had given two interviews and sung two songs: one on a country music station, the other on a Christian station. We later met a number of people on the road who had heard us.

There were also a couple of concerts in retirement homes to very receptive listeners. Another highlight was our concert at the Dairy Queen in Mentor, MN. The very kind and generous owners are the parents of the director of one of the homes we visited. Of course, there was also an ice cream sundae and a chocolate malted!

Our last stop in Minnesota was at a Covenant Church where we sang during the social hour. Without our knowing it at the time, the sermon that day, the general theme of the congregation and the songs and testimony we offered were remarkably linked. It was a remarkable and blessed hour! A very kind parishoner arranged for us to sing that afternoon in a Catholic nursing home. Later, he drove us in his pick-up across the border to North Dakota, giving us a good hop on it and making up for all the wind resistance of the last days.

We could not write about all the fine people we have met and shared deeply with along the way. Nonetheless, they are in our hearts and prayers.

Now, here in North Dakota the wind continues to be fierce. More importantly, the people continue to be friendly and helpful. Our love and thanks go to all who help us to keep going in so many ways!!!

Alexandra and William

14 July, 2009