Update #20 - May 31, 2005
New Rockford, N.D. - 6002.3 miles (9603.7 kms.)

The ride from Brookings, S.D. to here went pretty good. I stopped in DeSmet, Huron, Redfield, and Aberdeen, S.D. Here in N.D., I stopped in Ellendale and Jamestown.

It has been a cold and wet ride. Saturday between Huron and Redfield, I had my first real spill for the year. 20 miles south of Redfield I hit a eight mile construction zone. The whole roadway had been torn out to the bare dirt. The first seven miles were okay. The last mile was the hardest. I was trying to avoid a patch of oil but I slipped into it. Everything was covered with oil. I had to throw away from gloves and rain gear right there since they were too covered with oil. It took me over an hour to get the oil off my hands and arms.

It was lucky for me that I had a pair of sweatpants and a winter coat to wear the rest of the way to Redfield. In Redfield, I stopped at the sheriff department to see if I could get connected with a local church. The ministerial association offered to get me a room for the night. At the motel, it took me about three hours to get the majority of the oil off my panniers and packs.

I made it into Jamestown early enough so I was able to get a new coat and rain gear at the Salvation Army store. After that it took several hours to connect with a local minister. Another motel room was provided. I did get to speak to a few people at the Faith Methodist church. They were having a special program for young pastors in the area.

Sunday morning, I went to the 8 a.m. service at the Peace Lutheran Church. After the service, I talked to a small Sunday school class. One of the guys slipped me $20. This was the 31st church that I spoke at this year. It was around 9:30 a.m. when I headed out. I got into Ellendale, N.D. around 4:30 p.m. I was able to connect with the Church of the Nazerene minister through the sheriff department. A room got donated at one of the local motels.

Yesterday, I had a long ride to Jamestown. I wasn't sure if I was able to connect with a minister there but I was able to connect with somebody with the Salvation Army. The contact was made through the police station. Some food was provided along with a room at a local motel. I've been pretty fortunate this year since I've had over 70 motel rooms donated to me this year. Last year, a total of 110 motel room was donated.

Before leaving Jamestown this morning, I stopped to get interviewed at the "Jamestown Sun". Today, I've had the first good tailwind to push me along in about 10 days. Most often, I had to ride against the wind. I made 62 miles in about 4.5 hours. I'm going to try and contact with somebody at the First Lutheran Church. My pastor friend in Zearing, Iowa interned at the church and he told me to try and stop by.

I got about two more days of riding before heading Eastward. I'll be turning Eastward at Langdon. From New Rockford, I'll be riding through Cando, Langon, Cavalier, and Pembria. In Minnesota, I'm looking at riding through Karlstad, Roseau, Wanbad, Baudette, International Falls, Cook, Virginia, and Duluth. I'm hoping to be in International Falls in about a week. In Wisconsin, I'll be riding along the northern lakeshore of Lake Superior to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After Michigan, I've got some planned stops in Ohio.

I'll try and post and update as often as I can if my plans change.