Having recently gotten back into the habit of riding my bike, Mrs. Communist encouraged me to bring the two-wheeler along on our trip to Minnesota. I’m glad I actually listened to her this time.
Since getting here Friday evening, I’ve gone on two rides. The first one, on Saturday, was a quick 5-mile jaunt on the Central Lakes Trail through the town of Alexandria right before sunset. The above picture was taken on another path that connects with the Central Lakes at Lake Agnes.
The second ride was Monday afternoon. I found myself alone as Mrs. C took the little Commies to visit her aunt. The Central Lakes Trail connects many small towns in central Minnesota along its 55-mile path. I decided to head west to the next town over, Garfield — population 304. Garfield was nine miles away and would make a great stop for lunch.
Checking out the town’s Web site, I decided I’d hit the Garfield Pub & Inn when I rolled into town. Picture in your mind what a tavern in a town of 304 might look like, and that’s exactly what it was. I ordered a small pizza and a Budweiser and chatted with the bartender. I noticed the three other bar patrons fiddling with these little cards, and I noticed several drawers full of them behind the bar. I asked Carla what the cards were, and she said, “Oh, you mean Pulltabs?”
She pulled out a used card and showed me how it worked. It’s a little card with three tabs that you pull open (hence the name), revealing three rows of symbols. If any of those rows match up with symbols on the back of the card, you win the amount corresponding with that set of symbols. I told Carla that it was like a paper slot machine. She concurred, adding, “Or cardboard cocaine.”
Garfield Co-Op Creamery, AD 1920 -- Downtown Garfield, Minn.
But I digress. What’s struck me about my short time in Minnesota is how the state seems to care about cyclists. The state maintains no fewer than 16 paved bike paths comprising close to 1,000 miles. And many of those paths connect with another, such as the aforementioned Central Lakes Trail and the Paul Bunyan Trail, which together run 165 miles from Fergus Falls to Bemidji. Imagine that: Bike paths that actually go somewhere.
If only other states could be that forward thinking (Illinois, I’m looking in your direction).
Gorgeous picture! I’m glad you’re having a good time. It’s neat that the bike trails connect.
Thanks, Mom. If I had the time, I’d definitely consider coming back for a “bike vacation.”
Wait, wait, wait… some states make bike trails that are actually conducive to cycling?
Maybe the trails are legacy benefit from the state’s Jesse Ventura days…Whenever Jesse is on Larry King there always seem to be time spent on whether he’ll return to MN. and be the Gov or run for Sen. And the the phone calls come in… They all still seem to love him up there. He enjoys surfing the Baja too much these days, he says…
Sadly, Mr. Communist created another sad chapter in cycling when he tested positive for whale steroids shortly after returning from the trip.
I got them from Lance Armstrong.
re: bikes in Il.
111 miles in chicago n counting, not that they could ever be as placid as mn, but you’ll pass by many, many more pubs…