guardian angel

Our first day with sunshine, even at 10am (after excellent free
breakfast included in our $44 room) it was baking hot but cooler as we
got moving. Got some good miles done, then lunch at Subway just after
we crossed the Mississippsiiisiiispiii River (sp?).

Then things
got worse, Bonnie got a bit of turbulent tummy so she overtook me and
directed us off the Interstate just south of Rochester. Eventually we
found a gas station where she pulled up at the pump then rushed to find
a toilet. While she was in there I filled the bikes.

She got
back, we were about to set off then I realised we were at a diesel
pump! Bonnie had just pulled up at the first pump so she could run to
the toilet and I hadn't checked what it was, we'll learn to double
check, but didn't we say that when we did exactly the same thing in
France a year ago???

Luckily we hadn't started the engines and
just as we were walking the bikes to the parking lot Byron rode up on
his antique BMW. He is the area representative for BMW owners of
America and today he was our samaritan and saviour. 4 hours later both
tanks were drained and although he offered to put up his old tent and
let us sleep in his back yard we managed to get another 100kms down the
road and stayed the night in Albert Lea.

Sleepy Minnesota town
and the lady at the motel check in desk told us not to worry about
vandalism and that we should park next to the white Toyota, just under
the streetlamp so it would be visible from the motel reception area. I
went outside to tell Bonnie then a man with a
hammer chased a woman
out of the hotel restaurant, she got into the white Toyota and he
started screaming at her and attacking the Toyota with a hammer. She
drove off and within seconds police cars had converged and arrested the
hammer man.

Enough drama for the day, we had a sandwich and
salad and beer at the hotel restaurant, then to bed. Forecast of some
thunder showers tomorrow but as long as we get less drama than today I
won't be complaining!

Matt (filling in as blogger while Bonnie rests)