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By Alan Brown, August 19, 2011 6:38 pm

It was a great day today, Aaron was here doing his Ch 23 broadcast.  I think it went well, Aaron and Andy are real pros.  The final push is on for Rockford, home a week from tomorrow.  We are in Osage, Iowa and are 155 miles from Dubuque where we cross the Mississippi on Tuesday and them into East Dubuque.  Wednesday, its into Galena for a rest then to Freeport and then HOME!!!!!

I hope to see all of you there for the Cliffbreaker’s party at noon.  Don’t worry, Chase was just acting.

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By Alan Brown, August 19, 2011 11:10 am

Welcome to Iowa

Aaron & Chase on the Trek in Austin

The Journey has made it’s way into Iowa!

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By Alan Brown, August 18, 2011 11:58 am

Alan, Bob, Spam Man

Pig doors

In the Spam Museum Store

Spam was a WWII staple for our troops

Spam is sold world wide

Pig clouds

Alan with Julie and Gretchen...The Spamettes!

Hormel Historic Home with Director Laura Helle

A big fan of the Homer Journey...she made a donation!

We had a great rest day so far.  The Spam Museumwas awesome and the staff treated us great and gave us Black Pepper Spam made only for Australia.  Aaron is on his way and we will be live tomorrow from 5 to 7 am, then on the road to parts unknown in Iowa.  We’re rounding the fourth turn!  Don’t forget Third Thursday tonight, music, wine and open till 8 pm and Ice Age movie tomorrow night.   Keep those cards and letters coming, we love them, its lonely out here.  Home soon!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By Alan Brown, August 17, 2011 2:32 pm

1st glimpse of the Spam Museum

Welcome to Autin, MN...Home of the Spam Museum

I had a great ride today and feel great.  I’m starting to get some energy back, finally.  Aaron Wilson is coming tomorrow night and we will be live on the air Friday morning from 5 to 7.  It should be a lot of fun. 

Austin is a town of about 23,000 and the home of  Hormel Meats, makers of Spam and home of the Spam Museum.  We went by there and got the picture you see, but will be visiting there tomorrow and will post lots of pictures from inside.  How much fun is that Rockfordians???? 

Thursday is a rest day and on the road Friday, Iowa is only 18 miles away, but its a 50 mile day.  By Tuesday night we will be in Dubuque then on to Galena, then into Freeport on Friday the 26th, then into Rockford on the 27th and party at Burpee.  Can’t wait!!!

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By Alan Brown, August 16, 2011 3:00 pm

Love the peach cups...

Owatonna, MN

I asked Alan if I, Bob, can do just one of the daily blogs–so here goes–Ithink this third week in has been the hardest.   We are over the excitement of starting this journey and now Alan is grinding out the miles.   He finished today at 641 miles.   Since I am keeping the log I can attest to the fact that he has so far riden that bike 641 miles.   Following him going between 4 and 20mph has been a very different experience, but it is a wonderful way to see a beautiful part of our country.   Everyone I meet is amazed at what Alan is doing and seeing that at our stops he is usually tired, I am the one telling people about the Burpee and showing them Homer’s bone. From young to old people loved hearing about our adventure.   Having to be totally spontaneous in where we stop to eat and rest is a very different way to go about one’s life but yet again it is fun.

So far we have seen art galleries, historic museums, a zoo and even have played catch after our long days. My youngest son Harry gave us the best advice before this trip started in saying “take it one day at a time”. The e-mails, text messages and phone calls from our families and friends have been wonderful–thanks. We head to Austin Mn tomorrow and I can’t speak for Alan but my life wouldn’t be complete without a side trip to the Spam Museum. It is an honor to be on this adventure with Alan and a privilage to serve the Burpee Museum. I look forward to seeing everyone on the 27th back at the Burpee on our beautiful Rock River—Bob

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By Alan Brown, August 15, 2011 3:37 pm

Thank God for the road shoulder!

600 miles at Mankato, MN

Wow, 605 miles at Mankato, into a stiff wind and where did those hills come from.  This Trek bike is awesome and again thanks to Ship and Trek at Rockford Bicycle Company on Perryville Road for donating the bike. 

There is a term in racing of “hitting the wall” and while I don’t think I’m there yet I can sure see it from here.  I had a friend text me this morning after hearing me on Aaron and Andy, Ch 23 and said I sounded “exhausted”.  Well maybe a little, but doing ok, very sore today for some reason, but looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow.  Look for Aaron on Friday to join me live on 23, should be fun as we drop down into Iowa that day. 

Don’t forget Ice Age this Friday night at Davis Park.

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By Alan Brown, August 13, 2011 7:29 pm

Bob in front of a one room school house at Co. Fair

An antique Allis Chalmers tractor at Co. Fair

A short ride today, about 30 miles, adjusting the miles I ride based on the long rides earlier.   New Ulm is a beautiful German town with the second oldest brewery in the nation, Schell.  Today was supposed to be a rest day but we found out the county fair was going on this week so decided to push on and rest tomorrow.  The pictures are of Bob with an Allis Chalmers tractor from the 1950′s and then Bob in front of a one room school house moved to the fair grounds.  It was a nice fair, but doesn’t compare to Boone or Winnebago. 

Look for Aaron and I live on Ch 23 Friday morning from Austin, Minn.  He is going to ride along with me for a while and should be a lot of fun.  Remember, it’s Burpee night at Davis Park next Friday, lots of activities and fun for the kids, the movie is Ice Age and we open the new exhibit Ice Age Mammals October 8th.

I’m feeling good, a little sore but not as much as before.  A rest tomorrow will help a lot.  I am really looking forward to the party on the 27th at Burpee.  Go to the web site, burpee.org for all the latest news and info of the many upcoming events.

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By Alan Brown, August 12, 2011 3:07 pm

Entering Springfield, MN

A good day 51 miles and a tail wind on 14 East, who could ask for more.  The legs are good and there is some duct tape left on the roll, you wouldn’t think I would use that much LOL.  I’ve settled into a pretty boring routine for now, I guess that’s good.  I couldn’t remember the town I was in this morning, Marshall, and when Andy came on the air with me fortunately he said it.  Otherwise, I was lost, oh well, I guess just clicking off the miles and corn fields is a good thing.

Saturday should be a rest day, but I’m going to push on to New Ulm, the county fair is happening and it will give us something to do, so I’m going to rest Sunday.   Look for Aaron on the 19, he is going to meet us in Austin, Minn and ride along with me into Iowa, it should be fun, we are going to Skype live. 

Several pools are being organized where you can guess my weight when I get back to Burpee on the 27th or how much I’ve lost or how many miles I covered.  We’ll see which ones actually happen.  The plan is to be in Freeport on the 26th and take the Pec path to Meridian Rioad north to Auburn Street then meet bikers at Auburn HS parking lot and bike to Burpee for the party.  Hope you can come along,   Don’t forget Burpee night at Davis Park next Friday, lots for the kids to do and they are showing Ice Age, great fun.

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By Alan Brown, August 11, 2011 3:01 pm

Minnesota Day 2

500 Miles…Marshall, MN

We’re in Marshall, Minnesota and biked 55 miles from Dawson, Minnesota.  It actually was a rough day having to over come riding into 20 MPH winds and averaging only 9 to 10 MPH.  I still feel good but it took a lot out of me to get here.  It was a high point reaching Marshall, the 500 hundred mile point and symbolically HALF WAY!!!!!!

I will be on Aaron and Andy tomorrow as usual at 6:45 AM, but will also be on Doug McDuff”s radio show, 1330 WNTA at 7:05 AM tomorrow also.   Thanks to everyone contacting us by all kinds of media, it really helps knowing so many people are pulling for us,  even the comment about my legs.(you know who you are LOL)

Look for Aaron to join me on August 19th to ride along from Austin, Minnesota.  It should be a lot of fun.  Also, Friday night is Burpee night at City Market, Cathy and Nancy, its the best.  Also, Friday the 19th is Burpee night at the Davis park movies, showing Ice Age with lots for the kids to do by the great Burpee staff. 

Don’t forget the Cliffbreakers party at Burpee on the 27th, more to come on that.  Can’t wait to get home.  Keeps those cards and letters coming (showing my age) and don’t forget to pledge.