Huron to De Smet
33miles / 650ft climb
Something rather exceptional happened today as we were cycling about halfway between Huron and De Smet. We were making good time but it was already blisteringly hot and the highway we were riding was getting gradually busier and busier.
John, leading our group, was flagged down as he rode past a side street off the highway we were cycling on. The lady who flagged him down knew him by name and yet we knew no one within a 2,000 mile radius.
It transpired that Mindi, the lady in question was interested in the stories of people travelling across America and she had been following our blog. She had never met any of us before but when she was moved by our story and when she realised we were cycling within a few miles of where she lived, she filled a huge ice box with goodies, drove to the road she new we would be travelling on and flagged us down.
There was no one else mad enough to be cycling on this particular highway in the heat of the day and in our yellow and orange fluorescent tops, we were easy to spot.
Mindi was a joy to meet. She had put much thought into the contents of the ice box and provided us with jugs of iced tea, chilled electrolyte replacement energy drinks, homemade energy bites, fresh fruit, local cheese and ice cream. We had, in our panniers, some luke-warm drinking water, a few left overs from previous days and we were hot and hungry.
It felt surreal and I felt hugely emotional that Mindi had gone to so much trouble on behalf of four people she had never met.
We have been touched by so many lovely people we have met on our journey so far but today was truly exceptional.
This is one story that we will retell many times. It is undoubtedly one of the loveliest experiences of our journey and we have had so many so far. Thank you Mindi for your interest, your support, your kindness and your generosity. You have touched our hearts.
Challenging Times 
I different kind of oasis! Brought tear to my eye xx
Wow what a lovely gesture ❤️❤️❤️
Wow what a lovely gesture ❤️❤️❤️
Such a lovely episode. Thank you Mindi, you’ve put smiles on faces and joy in the hearts of many people thousands of miles away. The most memorable moments in adventures like this are made by the kindness of strangers.
Such a kind lady, and jolly welcome I can imagine ❤️
Wow. That story has made my day as much as it made yours. There is a place in heaven for Mindi.
So good to have Mindi look out for you, what an amazing gesture, I am Alison’s mum Mindi this touched my heart strings and brought a few tears too.
How amazing and lovely xxxx
What a super story. I can’t imagine how much you enjoyed the cold drinks, fruit, ice cream etc on a hot, bleak road, and to hear how Mindi has been following you. Heartwarming 😁
What a wonderful lady and such a lovely story. Well done Mindi! I can imagine how welcome your goodies were!
What a heart warming story to wake up to. You guys are amazing and thank you to Mindi for looking out for you and taking care of you in the middle of the US, thousands of miles from home.❤️❤️❤️
It was my pleasure! So nice to meet you all, and I wish you the very best ~ and safe travels! from Mindi