How About We Start Morning With A Little Meatloaf

July 2, 2025

I started out at 6:15am for three reasons: 1. It was a little on the cool side and I figured I would get outta town before the monster flies got busy. Zero bites this morning, 2. Thought I would avoid traffic and I did. I was more than 10 miles in before I was passed by the tenth car. It was a double long log hauler…does that count as one or two trucks? and 3. Seeing as Clam Lake is the elk capital of Wisconsin, I thought I might see a few elks before the roads got busy. Unfortunately I didn’t see any. So as Meatloaf sang “don’t be sad, cause two outta three ain’t bad” 😜. Did you seriously think I was going to eat meatloaf for breakfast 😳.

Town of departure was Clam Lake - the elk capital of Wisconsin. I next hit Glidden - the black bear capital of the world (sure wish someone shared that with me before I left my bear spray at home. And then Butternut (I’m come back to that later), a few more towns until I stopped in Boulder Junction - the musky capital of the world. That’s a whole lot of capitals.

Called an audible today in that I’m staying in Boulder Junction instead of Clam Lake. They have a Block Party every Wednesday, so I figured I’m from Boulder County and well it’s a small town party. Two good reasons to stop here for the night, plus 85 miles is a good day of riding.

Back to Butternut. They don’t claim to be the capital of anything, but I think they’re wrong. Butternut, WI is the capital of RESPECT! By my observation it’s a small country town that’s well beyond its heyday, but it’s hanging on. They honor their townspeople in absolutely the most amazing way. The theme is Every Life Tells a Story. And it’s all thanks to the woman who runs the local jewelry and art shop. I’m going to send you to the pictures to see what I mean (please take some time with the pictures and really zoom in). I’ll just close this topic by saying - if every city, and every town, and every person respected people they way the folks in Butternut, WI do our world would be a much better place.

I’ll add a few pictures of things other than Butternut, so I hope you enjoy them.

Off to the block party…

Clearly they take their bears seriously. Three main structures in town were this, the Bear Crossing Gas Station, and the sister store called Bear Necessities. Go figure

This is one of many murals in Butternut that depict previous residents of the town. And if you look real hard you can see that there is a story behind each person or couple about their life. It was incredibly inspirational.

Zoomed in on a few so you could see the details.

I wish I could have captured them all. There were just to many to read and unless I was literally going to spend the day there.

Found another barn worth sharing. And yes I still have e a barn fetish. There is just so must history in a good barn and I am sure tons of stories.

This is one view of the Mercer Hike and Bike Trail. It changes names as it meanders from the town of Mercer to Boulder Junction. All in all, it’s 33 miles. I rode 25 of it today. Fact, 25 miles and only 21 pine cones on the train even though it’s lined with pine trees. I swear someone must sweep it multiple times a day. It’s a real jewel.

The trail crosses numerous streams and a couple of lakes. Just one of the many views I stopped to admire.

I know it’s not technically a sign, but it’s my sign of the day.

A cool artifact in the center of. Holder Junction.

Today's ride: 85 miles (137 km)
Total: 602 miles (969 km)

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Max GordonI’m glad you didn’t actually eat meat loaf for breakfast! Glad you had a good day of riding! Enjoy your block party thingy.
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5 days ago

Michele GordonIt must have been strange to ride for 23 miles a little less vigilant of cars possibly hitting you
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4 days ago