The best laid plans ...

It's a bit early for me to be blogging, but we're already at a hotel, this one ALL THE WAY in Alexandria, MN. We had a successful morning, acquiring some thinner socks and a fanny pack for me, more dried dog food and treats, some allergy remedies for Tayler, food at Trader Joe's, and breakfast once again at the Chilkoot Cafe and Cyclery, . While we were eating, the proprietor of the bike shop came and found me and informed me that the cart I had ordered for Remy was only available out of New Orleans and would take several days to arrive in Stillwater. Knowing that we didn't want to pay hotel prices in Stillwater for several days, I did the following:

* Found a bike shop in Fargo, ND, that would accept a package addressed to me that will arrive in a couple of days
* Ordered a different cart, one that is actually designed for a dog instead of children and is slightly less expensive
* Decided to drive to Bowlus, MN, and ride from there to Osakis, where I thought I had found a cabin for $50/night, two-night minimum, on the Lake Woebegone Trail (It turned out to be $100/night, so no go.)

Here's what actually happened. The ordering and bike shop in Fargo worked out beautifully, but now that I didn't have a cart for Remy, I knew we wouldn't get far in the rain. (He won't even go out for a walk if it's raining beyond a drizzle.) We drove to Bowlus, and when we got there I scoped out the trail. I would have loved to ride. The wind was driving from behind, the trail was paved, the temperature was moderate, and the rain wasn't too bad -- plus, I have rain gear, so no problem, right? Except for Mr. Dog Breath, the loose cannon of every plan.

Remy and Tayler have been getting to know each other, and I think it fair to say that he now trusts her as much as any other human besides me and Colin, and possibly Joel; but that doesn't mean much when it comes to being separated from me. Tayler just didn't feel comfortable driving away from me with him in the car, and I could totally understand it. And I didn't feel comfortable starting on a potential 50-mile ride with a dog who would be uncomfortable, miserable, and even downright objectionable if it started to rain harder.

So on we drove to Alexandria, MN, quite a bit further than I had planned. But we got a motel room for about $50/night, which means that we can stay here for several nights without moving on, if the weather is uncooperative and not spend a lot of money doing so. The trip, I have realized, is financially viable only as long as we keep moving. The biggest disappointment was not being able to work with the cart today, believing that Remy would be able to travel through more inclement weather in such a cart. Of course, we don't know yet whether he actually will cooperate with the cart. It will certainly require some treats and training. I remember when Alice trained our former dog, Fiona, to go "home" into her kennel. She was so good at it -- well, both of them: Alice at the training, and Fiona at the going. I hope I am so lucky.

We have the option of staying at this place for two more nights beyond tonight, which may be necessary if the weather is as bad as it is predicted to be. Then, two good riding days (50 mi/day) to Fargo and we can get the cart. That will mean one week spent getting through Wisconsin and another through Minnesota. That's about right on track.

The very first day, I began to realize how much of a crap shoot this venture is, when I got off from the directions the bike shop guys had given me and rode for miles and miles on a major city thoroughfare. The second and third days, it was the wind that made it difficult for me to stay focused on how much I love riding my bike. Of course, I do still love riding my bike, even in inclement weather, so on we go.

If all we do is sit around Alexandria, I may not write much the next couple of days unless I have some major psychological or life realizations. Keep those encouraging messages coming in folks!