Day 38

62 Miles
I woke up early, like before the sun. I used the latrine at the rec area. I listened to music and tried to convince myself I could get up and ride then. I fell back to sleep. Thunder woke me a few hours later. Dammit. I should have gotten the earlier start. I packed quickly.
The rain started with my pedals. It wasn't long before I was soaked. The rain was very heavy. 45 or so minutes of heavy heavy rains. I was several touring cyclists traveling east. Only one couple stopped to talk to me. The woman said that where they had come from it had been raining for 3 hours. I guess sleeping in actually saved me a few soggy hours. The couple also explained a detour ahead. I was grateful for this. I knew there would be a detour but had no idea where I needed to go. There was flooding from all the rains they had been getting.
I rode through some more rain. The lakes along the road stunk terribly. I can only describe it as smelling like sauerkraut and sulphur. It actually made me a little sick to my stomach.
My detour took me through the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. I seemed to be lost on the reservation. I was saddened by the poverty I rode through. The roads were littered with just about everything but the kitchen sink. I had never seen so many cans or bottles along any road. There were clothes and random garbage. The people all looked at me rather curiously as I pedaled through the hills past their modest homes.
A dog, which looked part coyote began to follow me. I figured she would eventually turn back. She didn't. She followed me almost two miles. Finally, I rode back to where she had started following me. She followed me again. I tried to send her off. She kept right near my rear wheel. She seemed content with the idea of joining me. I can't say I would have minded the company. When I  was again trying to send her off, two men pulled up in a truck and had her jump in. Guess she was theirs or that of some one they knew. They apologized for her following me. I really didn't mind. I took it as a good omen.
Eventually I found my way back to my original route. I made my way to a little park on Devil's Lake in Minnewaukan, ND. There were showers at this park. I cooked macaroni and cheese and Ramen noodles for dinner. My belly was full. My phone was charged. Service was choppy, but at least I could check in with loved ones for the day. I went to sleep early.