La Crosse to Bear

Our longest day on the Great River Road — and, significantly, the Great River State Trail in the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge — brought Florida weather along with it.

Hot, long, and challenging were the themes riding from Wabasha into La Crosse as we left Minnesota for the final time on this trip.

Avery had his first cheese curds, to a positive review, and gave his all as we went off pavement for the final third of the 68-mile day. The trail was a blessing — shade — and a curse — the coefficient of friction for pea gravel and mud is significantly higher than asphalt.

The mystery at the no-longer beating heart of the Slaughter of Waters case was also heating up. Watch Tracer Bullitt Episode 3 for the latest.