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Family Stories
A potpourri of stories about various family members or events
Around the Next Curve
Before my parents bought a cabin of their own in Itasca County (MN), we used to camp with tents at my aunt Sylvia's cabin. There was a large, sprawling basswood tree under which we usually camped. That tree is still present and gives off an aromatic treat at the right time of the year.
One summer that we were there, my cousin Ed suggested that my brother Ken and I take a bike ride down to the Red Rooster. The year was likely in the range 1966-1969. I don't recall exactly what this business did, but it was likely a bar, gas station, some groceries, and, most importantly, it sold candy. Ed didn't tell us how far it was to this place, though we did remember seeing the business as we drove to Sylvia's and Vern's cabin. Now, I know that our destination was about 7.5 miles (one way), and the roads are hilly and winding with limited visibility.
Many curves tighter than this portion of the road
Many hills steeper than these
Ed found three suitable bikes for us, and we took off. I don't recall, but I don't remember asking or telling my parents, but perhaps Ed or Ken did. We were just going on a short ride, right? The gravel forest road was the more difficult one to bike, but any ride has its challenges when riding a one-speed bike. Once we reached the asphalt road, the rolling resistance of the tires was greatly reduced (not that I thought in those terms at that age, but I do now). I do remember that we did NOT go single file near the edge of the road. Rather, we weaved in and out, but usually stayed in the right lane. During the period that we biked (likely late 1960s), this road was not traveled as much as it is now. Also, we could usually hear vehicles coming. Despite the asphalt making biking easier, the hills and curves did not. As Ken and I asked Ed, "How much further is it?", Ed would typically answer, "I think it is over the next hill" or "I think it is around the next curve."
This went on for a while. My memory, though fainter now, suggests that we asked him at least 10 times, though it was likely only 5 or 6 times. Ken and I were wondering if he was leading us on a wild goose chase. We finally said that if it wasn't over the next few hills or curves, we were going back. We didn't get any candy at the Red Rooster that day.
Published 2021-06-17. Revised 2025-07-02.
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