Two guesses to my R4D blog followers, only one guess if your from Chicago (that's a clue for everyone else)
Days 2 3 in a nutshell
Day 2 - Altoona, IA to Rochester, MN, via stops at RSM offices in Des Moines, Waterloo and Mason City. 323 miles, 7 hours, =37,500 fitbit steps
Beautiful countryside scenery but the darn "October" cold front with gusting winds made the ride more challenging than the 420+ on day 1.
I-35 northbound traffic out of Des Moines was 85+ mph. My 800# Harley holds firm to the road, but the windchill at that speed with ambient temperature of 60 - 65f, is about -30: a bit chilly. My rain gear came in handy. No time for pics along the way.
Cousin Bonnie's pear zucchini bread with black coffee was the perfect kickstart to my day.
RSM partners Rod Foster, Jeff Johannesen, Kevin Prien, Jim Moore and Jessica Parker helped document my stops
My only thought while passing thru Mason City - I understood why Opheim moved away after school
Heeding the advice of whoever "they" is, in "they said", pictures paint a thousand words - my narrative for the last 3 days will be limited, and let the pics tell the rest of the story.
Day 3 - Rochester to Minneapolis, via the west side of Big Muddy, the Mississippi River. 122 miles, 5 hours, =24,500 fitbit steps
Photo stops at RSM's Rochester office, Mayo Clinic and Children's of Minnesota
A beautiful scenic route north through Lake City, meandering into St Paul before stopping at Doug Opheim's twin city condo.
2 virtual happy hours at Doug's place ensured. The first with the old guard - Mike Kirely, Jim Morton, Craig Radke (Don Lipari had electrical blackout, unfortunately couldn't join) Followed by the whole gang from the RSM Alliance, including Dean Sengstock & Steve Kampa, in person - Thank You All!
Doug upheld is culinary reputation with an outstanding meal - perfectly grilled filet's, corn on the cob and twisty pasta.
Manhattan lessons learned - "respect the barrel" - Opheim's special Manhattan mix - bourbon with tawny port instead of sweet vermouth. Two three finger pours later and night night! .
In honor of my son Seth, and all firefighters - I made a special stop at Minnesota's Fallen Firefighter's Memorial in St Paul
It doesn't get any better than this!
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