First night on the road

We (Sam and Sarah) have decided to document our westward adventure through an exciting travel blog  We have landed for the night at the glamorous Super 8 in Albert Lea, MN.  But I'm getting ahead of myself…  We departed Allouez at 5:30, a mere 30 minutes behind our scheduled departure time.  After a quick stop at Starbucks we hit the road.  Before we were even on the highway Sarah enjoyed some leftover cookie cake.  Thanks Betty!  Concern about the two bicycles we're transporting was a recurring theme.  While the narrators have the utmost faith in the engineering??? skills of Lauren and Jeremy, we have less confidence in the general sturdiness of the actual bike rack.   With each bump and jolt we (read Sam) feared imminent loss of one or both bikes.  Sarah secretly wished the bikes would fly free but like a stubborn zebra mussel they hung on.  While exiting De Pere Sam remarked with feeling, "Well, I'm not going to miss some of the trash around here."  With that great attitude he'll make friends in Portland in no time!  We're still acquainting ourselves with the intricacies of the GPS system which was generously lent to us for our journey by the Abbot.  Apparently if you set it to take you on the shortest route you will find yourself driving through meandering country roads.  Picturesque but not exactly efficient.  While rolling through rural southern Wisconsin we encountered a juvenile goose strolling across the street.  We dubbed him Augoostous Goose.  We also saw two Amish fellows in caps in a "serious" carriage of the variety driven by the queen per Sam.  I love seeing the Amish!  At the junction of 21 and 13 we passed Private Pleasures.  We were sorely tempted to stop but pressed on.  After driving 152 miles we stopped in Tomah for gas.  While waiting for the ladies room Sarah enjoyed a display of charming automobile stickers with a variety of broadminded and kind messages.  We also attempted to further secure the bikes.  Possibly a losing battle?  At 9:50 we crossed the mighty Mississippi!  Sam shared that henceforth radio stations will start with a K.  Fun fact!  With the amended speed limit of 70 mph we decided it was Albert Lea (Lee, Leah, Lay???) or bust for the night.  A questionable choice.  We opened the sun roof to enjoy the beautiful starry sky.  At this point the narrators got a little punchy.  Sample dialogue while discussing when we might reach Portland Monday:
Sarah: Anything's possible with Todd… Todd Danen
Sam: This is Todd Danen for Motel Six and we'll leave the extra long light on for you.
It's an SNC thing, you wouldn't understand.  We also thoroughly entertained ourselves singing popular songs but substitution meow, bark and eventually even chicken noises for the words.  Lovely!  We eventually reached Albert Lea and had some difficulty locating suitable accommodations.  We found our way to a Super 8 ($62.95/night including internet + tax!!!!) where we called it a night.  Tomorrow: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, cookie cake and more fun!  Taking a page from our Sacred Hour ritual:
Goals for tomorrow: Sam 600 miles minimum and a photo of Mt. Rushmore, Sarah finish cookie cake and read two sections of newspaper
What we learned today: Sam speed limit in MN is 70 mph, Sarah I don't care to live in Tomah or Albert Lea

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