Life On A B-I7

Route

• Fairbault, Research Day

Metrics

• Miles: NA
• Average Speed: NA mph
• Ride Time: NA hours NA minutes

Notes

• Tour of Fairbault.

Thought #15

• Acknowledge the Creator and give thanks for the opportunity to greet another day.

When I visited the Fairbault Historical Society Museum, I learned that the Genealogy Curator works by appointment only. That’s OK. I left a description of the information I’m looking for and the Curator is going to take a look at it and reach out to me. She will even talk to me via phone about her search results. I am optimistic that eventually, probably after I get home, I will have the opportunity to learn more.

I also visited the Fairbault Woolen Mill. The mill was established in 1865. The weir constructed to provide water power for the mill is still in place. The mill no longer uses it, but many of the original machines are still in use. It has also been upgraded with new machinery. It is one of the most trusted woolen brands in the Midwest and around the world. In the stranger than strange department, they also own a mill in Bar Harbor, Maine. (My destination.)

After my visit to the mill, I decided to stop into a local watering hole for a Busch Light. As I was tying my bike up (I like to call locking my bike “tying it up”) a man approached me and asked me for some change. I asked him if he was homeless, he said no but he needed money because he just finished weed-whacking a yard and the woman told him she couldn’t pay him. I believed him. I opened my wallet and he saw the bills inside. He asked, “could you spare a 20?” I told him I had to get to Maine with this money, but I’d give him the ones that I had. I gave him four dollars. He thanked me with great kindness. This is who we are: The richest country on earth, with more poverty than any other advanced democracy.

My detour to visit Fairbault has been a big success. I’m really happy I took the time to come see the town and all that it has to offer. I’m looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow and continue my journey east.

The factory looks much the same as it did when it was originally established.

Original mill water power.

Itinerary / Maps