minot, north dakota

The Continental Divide of Windy North Dakota

 "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."

Yep, we pedaled in and into the wind all day. As we pedaled from Stanley to Minot, we were hoping the wind would change direction but it never did. It made the fifty mile ride seem uphill all the way. Maybe it was but we aren't sure. Today was a day much like yesterday, only worse. We started with a forecast of fifty-five mile an hour winds from the east, chances of hail, and possibilities of a tornado. So having only wind and a bit of rain wasn't too bad. It was still a good ride and moved us fifty miles closer to the Atlantic.

Phil had his first flat. A fairly large Phillips-head screw sidelined him for a few minutes and then we were on the way. Our total flat count for the journey is now Phil - 1, me - 3. I'm winning! We stopped at Val's Cyclery in Minot before eating supper at the Starving Rooster down the street. At the shop, I bought the materials needed to make my bike tires tubeless. That will be one of my projects somewhere along the road to Maine.

Phil and I crossed the Continental Divide in North Dakota today. This is not the Great Divide we crossed in Montana but another of a number of continental divides in America. At first, I was wondering how in the world could the Continental Divide meander from Montana to North Dakota. Now I know. This is another divide. And we crossed it and we took pictures! 

Today was simply another reminder that life is not always an easy ride. There are days of smooth sailing and days of stormy seas but you just have to keep pedaling. You can't just quit. You can't give up. You've gotta keep moving. Someone once said, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." So, next time the winds of life are in your face, blowing you in every direction possible,  except the direction you want to go, get your head down, change gears, and keep pedaling.

"For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind

And declares to man what are His thoughts,

He who makes dawn into darkness

And treads on the high places of the earth,

The Lord God of hosts is His name."

-Amos 4:13

Don't give up!