August 6, 2025 (Wed.) - Travel to Wisconsin!
It’s travel day—we’re off to Wisconsin for Indian Bike Week!
Lynn was up early at 6:15 AM, and Kirk followed at 8:00, kicking off the packing routine. After a quick breakfast (frozen waffles, the usual on travel day), we hit the road by 10:00 AM. The drive was estimated at 4 hours and 250 miles, with an ETA of 2:00 PM in New Richmond, WI.
The drive offered familiar Midwest scenery—endless stretches of corn, alfalfa (we think), and sunflowers, which always bring a smile to Lynn’s face. We made our usual two rest area stops to stretch our legs (and Otis’s), and a quick shoutout to the Enfield, MN rest area—super clean and well-kept!
This trip threw us a curveball: actual traffic. A lane closure on a two-lane highway slowed things down early on, and as we approached Minneapolis, we found ourselves on a three-lane highway—something we haven’t seen since California. The traffic wasn’t awful, but definitely heavier than anything we’ve encountered in weeks. And the Minnesota drivers? Let’s just say they’re not shy—darting across lanes like it’s a game of Frogger.
Our GPS didn’t help much. It rerouted us through side roads and traffic circles, even when we could see the interstate on-ramp right next to us. So we trusted our instincts and jumped on the highway ourselves.
We finally arrived in Wisconsin around 3:00 PM, about an hour later than planned thanks to breaks and traffic. Our campground, River’s Edge Apple River Campground, sits just across the Mississippi River from Minnesota. Finding the campground was easy however checking in at the Ranger Station as instructed was a bit of a challenge—signage was minimal (us old people can’t see small font!), and the check-in staff (a couple of young girls) weren’t exactly welcoming or informative. No map, no rules handout, and kept telling us to call if questions. When we asked for a phone number or business card, they told us to check the website. While they weren’t rude, the lack of basic info was noticeable compared to other campgrounds.
On the plus side, no strict rules meant we could set up mats and canopies on the grass and walk Otis freely, without being restricted to designated potty paths. Sometimes dogs just can’t wait for the approved walkway!
One odd requirement: we have to wear a plastic wristband the entire 12-day stay so security knows we’re paid guests. Not sure how long Kirk’s will last, but they’ll replace it if needed.
We wrapped up the day with a delicious stop at the 45th Parallel, where we indulged in some fantastic wood-fired pizza—crispy, smoky, and just what we needed after the long haul.
On the drive back to the campground, the sky put on a show: a stunning blaze of bright orange lit up the horizon, painting the perfect end to our travel day
And yes, the moths are still with us. All the way from Custer. The current moth death count today = 1.5. Lynn took out a baby moth (babies are never a good sign…a hint of more to come??), and Kirk got one of the big ones. The saga continues…
Not a lot of pics on travel day. The road looks the same over the last 4 states!
Weather (New Richmond, WI) – High 81*, Low 64*. Winds 9-14 mph with gusts up to 28 mph. Humid but not like Sioux Falls.
Traffic – Hit some for the 1st time in Minnesota! Not too bad though.
Food – 45th Parallel pizza – very good.
Notable – Great sunset.
Moth death toll = 45.5
