The days seem to just keep on amazing me. Expectations really do lead to disappointments and I am forever in training to let them go. I also feel strongly about letting go of my belongings at home and plan on ridding myself of as many material things as possible when I return. Maybe I can convince someone there to do it for me while I am away, but people sometimes only think I am joking until I actually do it. Anyway, that’s in the future which is not here, so let’s look at what’s been going on for it’s been a wild one. June 24th Madison, WI to Freeport, IL I set off in some intense heat. I started late from Carolyn’s because we just had so many great conversations I could not stop. I think maybe I was supposed to go into the art world and failed to see my calling because her job has an amazingly open view about what is and is not. At about ten though it was time and she had a meeting anyway. I was off and knew the way, but from the beginning my bike was really acting up – here we go again. I made it to the border of Illinois and Wisconsin and found a bike shop to call in Freeport, IL owned by a guy named Joe. I was riding into Freeport and about ten miles before I got there, a red truck just pulled over with a man waving me down. Chip was trying to point out a bike path I could take which was very kind, but it was dirt and I was not about to change my path. I told him the issue and he knew Joe so he gave me a lift into Freeport. We … [Read more...]

Article II. By Joe Tamborello Article III. Michael Galardi of Atlanta made a stop in Freeport Thursday during his quest to bicycle all 48 contiguous states. Having logged approximately 7,400 miles biking, Illinois is his 25th state. Freeport, Ill. – Like the shape of an “M,” Michael Galardi of Atlanta, Georgia, crisscrosses the lower 48 contiguous states with one mission in mind — education. Galardi made a stop in Freeport for 24-hours starting Wednesday when his bike broke down, and while his visit to the Pretzel City was brief, he has one more lesson for his “Jolly Geography” trip. Galardi, 26, began his trek across America on Jan. 1. in Key West, Fla. To date he has logged 7,400 miles. Illinois is his 25th state to visit and while Freeport was not a planned trip, a bicycle break down necessitated a call to Joe Dadez, manager of Freeport Bicycle Company, to help repair a minor problem. Dadez put Galardi up for the night, and said he is impressed by Garlardi’s efforts to bicycle his way across the states. “That’s a lot of riding this guy does — logging almost 150 miles a day, Dadez said. “He’s doing a pretty great thing and I think that’s great, but I still think he’s a little nuts. But in a good way.” Geography Mission Galardi sat down for a cup of coffee Thursday at 9 East Coffee in Freeport to relay his story of life on the road. He has a love for the outdoors, which helps as he spends many nights … [Read more...]

June 19th                                        Red Wing, MN I got up early but managed to waste time till it was about eight. I was in full form the night before have eaten some delicious pheasant. I was ready to ride and did not want to wake anyone so I left a thank you note. I hope that was ok and it was nice for me because I hate goodbyes. They make no sense for you’re not dying just moving to another location where your realities do not collide. The day had a slow wind to it but nothing to frown on. It is so weird leaving host homes because their short sense of the unknown and nervousness never goes away although I must say it fuels me forward for some reason. I guess I just see no other way except to walk through the door and take what is waiting. I went south on the 71 and then changed from my original path moving to the 212 earlier than another road I was going to take one further south. I just had a hunch. It was a good choice and the ride was great. I began to make my turns moving south through the many lakes on the 101 then the 13. I even stopped at an indoor golf arena which seems to be big in the Minnesota area. It was muggy but the rain held off. I ended in Prior Lake where I seemed to have missed my next turn – I realized it so I asked for help. A guy named Donnie came to my rescue but every time he tried to help a sweet lady keep swapping adventure stories with me and I had difficulty saying … [Read more...]

June 13th                        Sioux City, Iowa to South Dakota This morning was beautiful and the sun called me onto my bike. I had no more excuses to stay other than the fact that Kevin and Mary had been great. Still, it was time to move on and I was ready. I headed out about 9am and rode up the 75 toward Sioux Falls but at Le Mars, Iowa which is the ice cream capital of the world – whatever that means – I changed paths, headed west and into South Dakota. I was happy with the day like usual and stopped in a small town called Irene, SD at a gas station. There was a group of about eight kids and I asked if I could join their group. They said “yes” probably thinking I was weird. I quietly listened to their funny stories and soon one of the kids asked what I was doing (within two minutes). I started talking to the kids like a classroom setting and hung out for about an hour. One kid made my day by saying that he learned more in that short time than he did his whole school year. Once it was time to leave this elderly lady was sitting next to my bike and boy, was she a talker. The kids also were making fun of her and it made it hard for me to keep a straight face. I finally got away to fill my water when the kids told me I was just going to have to ignore her. I am way too nice for that, so as I went back out and she began talking right where she left off. Two of the girls ran out and just started asking her questions … [Read more...]

June 7th                                         Lincoln, Nebraska Today was a great day into the immersion of Nebraska. Ryan was kind enough to invite me to his grandmother’s house for breakfast, so I did not have to sit around all day. We all packed up into the car and bum rushed his poor granny who got word of our arrival 10 minutes before we were there. She was so kind and cooked us a very filling and delicious meal. We laughed and ate and then I noticed that her curtains were the same print as our sofa used to be – lol. I loved that print though because it reminded me of playing hot lava when I was young and jumping from flower pillow to pillow. Afterwards we went to his dad’s where we were picking up some steaks from his father’s prize cows. You have no idea how much money is in these cows – it is amazing! He sold the rights to just half a cow for over $90,000. We were also there to pick up some things in the house because they were in the process of redoing it. Chandra’s daughter was with us and wanted to catch a kitty that was running around, so I tried to help her by sitting really still in a chair until I passed out, mouth open, for like thirty minutes. I awoke with all of them staring and laughing and wiped the drool from my bad facial hair. We drove around the town and I remembered how much I love that everyone knows each other. It definitely has its drawbacks, but I think it adds a … [Read more...]

June 4th                                              Great Bend, KS It was finally time to move on. I was so ready it felt like Christmas morning and I just could not wait for the sun to rise to go see my presents. I awoke at about six am and got my last breakfast of apple sauce and packaged muffins and danishes. I did not want to wake Sam, but I did leave him a letter and wrote a note to the Great Bend Tribune to thank the hotel for all they did. I was ready by eight and was almost nervous – like it was my first day on a bike. I left with a smile and a curious nature. The day was beautiful and that energy moved me forward. I was flying with no intent of stopping till sunset. My stops to rest were even short – Kansans were still so kind – two people actually stopped to make sure I was ok. I had finally turned up the 77 and was in Junction City, KS where I thought that would be a good place to call it a night. There was a “lovely” bridge that had nice dirt. I waited for two fishermen to leave and walked down. As I planted my bike against the wall I got a quick lesson that it was now summer and the bugs were out in full force. I had eight mosquitoes on my arm before I could even think. Now I do not know why I was blessed with such sweet blood but bugs think I was placed here for their primary food source! I fight this purpose and have a hard time accepting my delicious blood, but for mental … [Read more...]

May 31st Great Bend, KS I settled into my new home for after Sam had signed me up at the America Best Value Inn. Sam was amazing. He was a young guy that was just kind hearted and loved to be a part of his community. This has actually been a pretty common thing here in Kansas. It may smell weird (not here in Great Bend but on the open roads) but the people are just so kind. I would also have to say that even though the negative news on TV and radio still highly out weighs the positive news – Kansas has its own news station that has had the most positive community news yet! I decided to go for a walk and look around town. I walked about six miles to their local water park for the kids and a free zoo. Now, I hate zoos because I think they promote negative habits among humans thinking that they are in some way controlling nature. Of course, Mother Nature time and time again disproves this idea. I did like the effort that the people in this small town were doing for the community and the kids. The town was a ghost town though – not one thing was open except the Wal-Mart and some fast food joints, but hey I got some exercise and also scouted out where I was going to hang flyers for my talk that Tuesday night coming up. I retired to my room and just hung out for the night. June 1st Great Bend, KS I got breakfast like always and had a lovely conversation with the desk lady that was ex- military and had like six girls. It is so great see all the … [Read more...]