Mostly Michigan

6-27/28 – Lollygagging: For two days Katie visited friends in Cedarburg while Tom and I hung out with JP’s family in Green Bay. These were the first days in a month that we had not gotten on our bikes for a ride. In other words we were lollygagging and we did it well. We got the Trek tuned up and bought another tire just in case. We also mapped out our camp sites for the next week or so. Other than that we did not do a whole lot. It was great to see JP, Gloria, Jason, Christian and Chloe. One of the highlights was a whiffle ball batting practice in the back yard. Some things don’t change, I still can’t hit even with a bat that is six inches in diameter. YIKES!!!

6-28/29 - Come Sail Away: It has been many years since I have been on a boat on any of the Great Lakes. The passage on the SS Badger was a fun and interesting. We boarded at 12:00 midnight on the 28th and arrived in Ludington at 6:88 AM on the 29th. While none of us got a lot of sleep on the 4 hour passage, we did get some sleep. After a breakfast near the harbor it was off across Michigan on our way to Ontario.
SS Badger: The SS Badger (named after the University of Wisconsin athletic teams) is 410’ 6” long and can carry up to 620 passengers and 180 vehicles. When we crossed it transported cars, 18 wheelers and an Amish trailer. I was really impressed with the amenities. There is a movie room, other TV’s, two places to get food/meals, a gift shop (boutique), sleeping berths, a quiet room/museum, Wi-Fi, a bar, kids play room and an arcade. I spent most of my time trying to sleep, but for the day crossing folks I think the passage would be spent quite agreeably no matter what your interest. Everyone was pleasant and helpful. We give the SS Badger three thumbs up.
Who else would it be? What artist was being played at the diner in Ludington? Who else could it be in an American Great Lakes port? Of course, Gordon Lightfoot. They were not playing the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald, but in time I’m quite sure it would have come up.
Don’t mix up your MSU’s in Ludington: As we were finishing up our breakfast in Ludington Tom or I mentioned MSU. Our waitress, who was a wonderful person, started to get on us thinking we were talking about Michigan State University when in fact we were talking about Montana State University. Thankfully we were each wearing some Bobcat gear so she good naturedly backed off. At least in this restaurant it is Wolverine Country. Hail to the Victors!!!
Highway 10: We chose to go off the Adventure Cycling route today taking Highway 10 straight west to Claire, Michigan. It was more wooded and foresty than I imagined it would be. There were also a lot fewer farms than I imagined. With few exceptions it was a fine road with an adequate to very good paved shoulder. There was more traffic than we were led to believe but all in all a good ride and we arrived safely in Claire. We are staying at the Herrick Recreation Area outside of Claire. As parks go it gets one thumb up.
Anticipation: Tomorrow we begin our day on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail bike path. This will take us the 36 miles of so into Midland and then we are off to Bay City and possibly points beyond.

6-30 – Steady as She Goes: Today was a very short day (50+ miles) by current standards. We wanted to spend some time in Bay City, Michigan. Bay City is a historic lumber town and is also the second busiest port in the state of Michigan. We have camp set up and will be heading into town soon…more later.
Pere Marquette Rail Trail: The Pere Marquette Rail Trail was a joy to ride. It was like being on your own little country road. It is well maintained and in great riding shape. It has more than adequate facilities and was well traveled by other cyclists, walkers and bladers. The trail is much longer but is unpaved.
Oil? I was surprised to see so many small oil “grasshoppers” in the agricultural land between Midland and Bay City. Do you think of Jed Clampet when you think of Michigan? I sure didn’t.
It’s a small world after all: We go to Bay City for supper. I walk into the establishment wearing a Montana State University Football t-shirt. A young man (we will call him Jim) asks what my connection to MSU is. I tell him I have a son who goes there. He tells me that two of his buddies (the Belin brothers) from HS football play football there. One is currently a player and the other is transferring from Michigan State University. I then told Jim that my son Mackey plays as well as a punter. Jim was the kicker on his HS team. To top it off Jim is “Sparty” the mascot for Michigan State University. When I called Mackey he knew the player on the Bobcats team (one of the Belin brothers) from Michigan. Whodathunk?
Bay City State Park: Bay City State Park gets three thumbs up. What a great facility.

7-1 – Canada Day: Yes July 1 is Canada Day. We will be entering Canada on July 2. Perhaps we can still get in on some festivities.
A day to ride: Not much to say about today other than we got over 90 miles closer to entering Ontario and our ultimate goal. It was a great day for riding. The thumb of Michigan has the flattest terrain we have been on to date.
Virgin Territory: For both Katie and I from here on out will pretty much be virgin country for us. Tom has traveled through here often and his experience and expertise have already been valuable. We are excited to be camping along Lake Erie. I have never seen Lake Erie or Lake Ontario. That will close out all the Great Lakes for both Katie and I. It will likely be another 4 to 5 days before you hear from us again. Happy Independence Day to all. God Bless America and Canada.