T1 Day 26 (Liz)

 7/2/21


Medora to Richardton, ND today! After only a few miles of biking on the interstate we took an exit and spent the rest of the day on old highway ten. If you told me that I’d be comfortably biking on an interstate a few months ago I’m not sure I’d believe you. Turns out the shoulder was big and the road wasn’t too busy! But shoutout to the old highways out there. They’re beautiful and empty and take us where we need to go.


We stopped briefly in Dickinson to pick up groceries and eat our lunch (on the bench outside the grocery store). Lunch today was veggie bagel sandwiches, pickles, and fruit. 


A strong tailwind made the next 30 miles feel easy and we arrived Assumption Abbey early in the day. When we finally figured out where to enter, we found a sign that said visitors should call 019 on the phone in the east wing. I located a rotary phone down a massive hallway, but Keelin was the only one who knew how to use it. After some calls, Father Odo came to greet us. He took us to a room in the basement with beds and a shower and told us he’d pick us up for dinner! 


While Keelin and Kayla napped, I nerded out learning about Benedictine monks and walking around the property. Then it was time for dinner, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was clear we all felt a bit awkward. Odo took us through the dinner line (tonight was leftover night) and we filled our plates. Turns out the monks have lots of desserts, so of course we ate lots of desserts. 


We sat among the 23 monks living at the Abbey looking out at the rolling hills of North Dakota and made light conversation about biking and monk life. Odo said it was “booooring” and that he just works and prays (he’d been there for over 60 years). Then someone asked if we were raising money for a cause. We all froze. And then Keelin quickly replied “Nope! No cause. Just for fun!” Didn’t feel like the right place to bring up abortion… is it bad to lie to a monk?


Then, someone asked how we heard about Assumption Abbey and I mentioned that bikers the year before highly recommended staying. Odo responded “and yet you didn’t call ahead.” So maybe don’t get shamed by a monk and call ahead if you plan to stay at an Abbey.


But anyways! Afterwards we walked the grounds and saw a beautiful sunset and an owl. As always, we’re grateful for a free meal, a place to stay, and a fun story.

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