Forest City, Iowa to Albert Lea, Minnesota

Three Fingers Campground was quiet and peaceful overnight. No trains, no traffic, just an occasional rain storm that I never heard.

Since we wanted to visit the Forest City Police, Sheriff, and Fire Departments, we both were ready by 8:15 and away. We stopped at the Police Station first but the Chief wasn’t in yet so we drove over to the Sheriff’s Office. We met with Sheriff David Peterson where we enjoyed a conversation with him and traded patches.

He was one of the men who participated in the “Rolling Thunder” motorcycle ride in Washington, D.C.! Thank-you Sheriff for the job you do.

We went back to the Police Department and Chief Douglas Jenson was ready to see us. He was very interested in what we were doing and we swapped stories and shared concerns. When you read this, pray for this Chief. He has an injury he’s been dealing with. We traded coins and patches

and I took a picture of him and Bill.

Lesson learned today, always take 2 pictures. I didn’t check closely right away and the Chief blinked. Thank-you sir for what you do! Our last stop of the morning was the fire department. They have a really nice new facility. When we arrived, there was no one around so we headed back to the truck. We were part way across the parking lot when who drives up but the Chief! We thanked him and chatted for awhile and gave him one of our patches.

Their new patches were supposed to arrive tomorrow so he will be mailing one to us that we can pick up when we stop by home. Thank-you Chief! After that, we continued north to Albert Lea, Minnesota. Why north you say…there’s a church up in Forest River that would like to hear what Bill has to say. The church was recommended to us back at Impact Ministries in Wheatland, Wyoming. Bill checked his email last night and that’s how we found out about it. Route 69 was quiet, so Bill has been able to pedal in the road.  As soon I crossed the Minnesota line, a small breakdown lane appeared so that will mean safer traveling for Bill. The Albert Lea Police Station is only a little over a mile from where I’m parked waiting for Bill so perhaps we’ll stop by there today too. When our tired cyclist arrived, we went over to the police and sheriff’s department that are in the same building to say Thank-You. This mural was inside the station.

We met with Chief Deputy Todd Earl first who was very interested in what we were doing. We talked at length and he actually gave us several patches and a coin

in exchange for the patch and coin we gave him. The Director of Public Safety, Dwaine Winkels, came out too and I took pictures of them with Bill.

So we are calling it a day and are headed for Myre-Big Island State Park for some much needed rest. 

Help to keep the wheels turning by donating at Generosity.com