MINNEAPOLIS — Two days after Britta Swanson graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth, she set out on a three-week biking adventure with her cousin, Karina Schindler.
“I said would do this, so I’m just gonna keep going,” Swanson said.
That was her mindset while biking across the country.
“It was everything we expected it to be and also nothing we expected it to be,” Schindler said.
The pair spent 17 days biking from Minnesota to Maine, traveled through seven states, one Canadian province and averaged 85 miles a day.
“Erin, my aunt, drove basically every single mile with us and then biked so much,” Schindler said. “She is an absolute beast, on the bike, off the bike. She made sure we were cared for.”
It wasn’t easy. The close to 1,500 miles took grit to complete. But their reason for the ride kept them going. Between the two of them, the girls raised nearly $14,000 for World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit that empowers and mobilizes low-income regions through bikes.
“Just that reassurance of we’re doing this for something bigger than ourselves really made it easier to keep going,” Swanson said. “What WBR is doing is really amazing.”
Their contribution funded 80 lifechanging bicycles.
“Every once in a while, Erin would get an email of like, ‘Oh, your bike is going to Malawi’ or ‘Your bike is going to Colombia,’” Schindler said. “Oh, this is a real thing that we are doing. These are real people that we are helping. Just knowing that is just an awesome, awesome feeling.”
Another awesome feeling was the finish line in Maine.
“We took out our bikes, plopped them on the beach and full kit and everything ran into the ocean together,” Schindler said. “It was awesome.”
The cousins seem to always have a new adventure in the works, but right now, the next adventure is living together. They hope to find a place this fall.
“I mean, there’s the whole other half of the country, you know? We haven’t been through the Rockies yet,” Swanson said. “So, maybe we’ll be back in a few years fundraising for something different. But we’ll see.”
Click here to donate to the cause.
Join Girl Scouts of Maine for a sweet summer stop you won’t want to miss!
We’re popping up at local ice cream shops around Maine for our Ice Cream Socials—fun, casual events where families can enjoy a free treat and learn more about Girl Scouts.
Here’s what to expect:
🍦 One FREE kid-sized cone per family when you stop by and connect with us
🌱 Hands-on activity for kids (like a planting activity or fidget spinner craft)
💬 A chance to chat with our team and learn how Girl Scouts builds confidence, friendships, and unforgettable experiences
Whether you’re curious about joining, looking for activities for your child, or just want to enjoy a sweet treat, we’d love to meet you!
✨ Open to all families—no registration required. Just stop by, say hello, and enjoy some ice cream with us.
The Saco Scoop
05:30 PM – 07:30 PM on Tue, 14 Jul 2026
The recent rain in Maine is easing the drought that parts of the state have been experiencing since the fall.
Scott Dean, a Spectrum meteorologist, said much of Maine has been at least “dry” for several months. Parts of the state, including Portland, Bangor and Bar Harbor, are under a “moderate” drought.
Much of the country is also experiencing a drought, Dean added. The Southeast is seeing extreme levels of drought, and the West coast has been under a drought for years. There are many factors that go into this, including climate change, weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña and other factors.
And, when an area does experience drought, it can become a feedback loop. With less moisture in the ground and atmosphere, the drought can “feed upon itself,” Dean said.
“It takes a while to get into a drought and it also takes a while to get out of one,” Dean said.
But, the rainy days in Maine have been alleviating the drought, Dean said. And, the trend is likely to continue — the forecast is predicting above average levels of precipitation for the next three to four weeks.
“Hopefully, we are continuing to head in the right direction as the drought has eased in these areas,” Dean said.
In fact, if these rains do continue, Maine could come out of the drought sometime this summer.
Craig Joseph Ahlemeyer
STANDISH – Craig J. Ahlemeyer, 48 of Standish, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, June 13, 2026.A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 27 th at Standish Congregational Church, 25 Oak Hill Road in Standish. A reception will follow.To see Craig’s full obituary, share a memory or leave the family an online condolence, please visit http://www.athutchins.com.
Razorbacks’ Guard Darius Acuff Selected No. Overall in 2026 NBA Draft
DOJ charges 10 Southern California defendants in largest federal healthcare fraud crackdown in US history
Erie Town Council approves sale of Colorado mineral rights for major oil and gas development
Man charged with murder in death of Duxbury, Massachusetts woman in Connecticut home
Vigil held for 2 teens killed in hit-and-run in New Castle County; driver in custody
Meet the Florida Democrats running for governor against David Jolly
Georgia Lottery Mega Millions, Cash 3 results for June 23, 2026
Logan Kalawaia to perform in next Hawaiian Music Series, June 25 | Maui Now
