Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013
Made it!!!! Dipped the front tires into the Atlantic to complete the trip. 3,943 miles. 75 days. And a lot of work. Lots of feelings going on. I feel happy, sad, proud, humble, ecstatic, thankful for all of the support and help. Tomorrow, I don't know if I will know what to do with myself. Really looking forward to getting back home. I was supposed to be figuring out what to with retirement while doing this trip. Still don't know, but it doesn't seem to matter. Things will come, and life will go on. Looking forward to whatever it brings.
Til next time.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday, Oct 11, 2013
Ate in an amazing diner in Waldoboro, Maine. In the same family since 1927. Really busy. I felt sorry for the Asian restaurant across the street. Two cars. About 30 cars in this parking lot. Hard to find a table, but I got in right away by sitting at the counter. Went with the seafood platter. When in Maine. Nice sayings on the wall - things like. "Pie makes all things better". They sold pie not by the slice, but by the Slab. Giant pieces.
It was fun.
Saw the strangest roadkill yet. A Starfish. It was on the shoulder and it was flattened. But, I'm pretty sure that it didn't get there without some help.
Today's drama was leaving my leg warmers by the side of the road. I stopped to take them off and decided to eat a bit as long as I was stopped. I guess I can't do more than one thing at a time. Luckily, I was only a mile or so up the road when I figured out that they were still back where I took them off. They are important. My only warm piece of riding clothes for the legs. It has been in the high 30's and low 40's when I get on the road in the morning.
Two more riding days. Hard to relate to that. Excited, emotional, relieved. All mixed together.
Nice riding days. Cold in the morning, but nice soon after. Still too many hills for my preference, but really beautiful. I think I will go with seafood of some kind tonight also.
Til next time.
Ate in an amazing diner in Waldoboro, Maine. In the same family since 1927. Really busy. I felt sorry for the Asian restaurant across the street. Two cars. About 30 cars in this parking lot. Hard to find a table, but I got in right away by sitting at the counter. Went with the seafood platter. When in Maine. Nice sayings on the wall - things like. "Pie makes all things better". They sold pie not by the slice, but by the Slab. Giant pieces.
It was fun.
Saw the strangest roadkill yet. A Starfish. It was on the shoulder and it was flattened. But, I'm pretty sure that it didn't get there without some help.
Today's drama was leaving my leg warmers by the side of the road. I stopped to take them off and decided to eat a bit as long as I was stopped. I guess I can't do more than one thing at a time. Luckily, I was only a mile or so up the road when I figured out that they were still back where I took them off. They are important. My only warm piece of riding clothes for the legs. It has been in the high 30's and low 40's when I get on the road in the morning.
Two more riding days. Hard to relate to that. Excited, emotional, relieved. All mixed together.
Nice riding days. Cold in the morning, but nice soon after. Still too many hills for my preference, but really beautiful. I think I will go with seafood of some kind tonight also.
Til next time.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Wednesday, Oct 9, 2013
Interesting two days. Yesterday I got lost again. The maps I use don't necessarily align in a north/south direction. It gets me in trouble sometimes. Stayed in an incredibly elegant bed and breakfast in Naples, Maine. The dining room was all decked out. China, several sizes of glasses, ringed napkin holders. All color coordinated, of course. 5 tables of 8 places per table. But since it is off season, I was the only one at breakfast. Normally, I couldn't afford to stay in such places. I looked at it on line and decided to call anyway. They gave me an incredible deal. Very nice people.
Back to live wild turkeys (although these turkeys were very reserved and standoffish- kind of like the people I have met in Maine) and roadkill porcupines and raccoons.
Today's dilemma was a detour. I will have a different take on detours from now on. In a car they are usually no big deal. On a bike, it is usually a BIG deal.
Maine is different. I can't put my finger on it yet. Lots of tree's and hills. Very pretty. But there is something different about it.
Am in Brunswick, Maine. In many ways you could say I have completed the coast to coast thing. But my trip ends in Bar Harbor. So, I will be hugging the coast for the next four days.
Still good, but I am getting tired of riding over hills and I am definitely looking forward to coming home.
Til next time.
Interesting two days. Yesterday I got lost again. The maps I use don't necessarily align in a north/south direction. It gets me in trouble sometimes. Stayed in an incredibly elegant bed and breakfast in Naples, Maine. The dining room was all decked out. China, several sizes of glasses, ringed napkin holders. All color coordinated, of course. 5 tables of 8 places per table. But since it is off season, I was the only one at breakfast. Normally, I couldn't afford to stay in such places. I looked at it on line and decided to call anyway. They gave me an incredible deal. Very nice people.
Back to live wild turkeys (although these turkeys were very reserved and standoffish- kind of like the people I have met in Maine) and roadkill porcupines and raccoons.
Today's dilemma was a detour. I will have a different take on detours from now on. In a car they are usually no big deal. On a bike, it is usually a BIG deal.
Maine is different. I can't put my finger on it yet. Lots of tree's and hills. Very pretty. But there is something different about it.
Am in Brunswick, Maine. In many ways you could say I have completed the coast to coast thing. But my trip ends in Bar Harbor. So, I will be hugging the coast for the next four days.
Still good, but I am getting tired of riding over hills and I am definitely looking forward to coming home.
Til next time.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Monday, Oct. 7 , 2013
Riding in and over the White Mountains has been challenging and wet. Yesterday, I made it into North Woodstock , N.H. just before it started to rain. Then it rained during almost all of the ride today. The disappointing part was that I couldn't see the vista's . There were several pullouts that advertised as being great views. Except all that one could see were clouds and fog. Right now I am in Conway, N.H. right across the border from Maine. The good news is that tomorrow promises to be warmer and clear. So looking forward to riding into Maine tomorrow.
Til next time.
Riding in and over the White Mountains has been challenging and wet. Yesterday, I made it into North Woodstock , N.H. just before it started to rain. Then it rained during almost all of the ride today. The disappointing part was that I couldn't see the vista's . There were several pullouts that advertised as being great views. Except all that one could see were clouds and fog. Right now I am in Conway, N.H. right across the border from Maine. The good news is that tomorrow promises to be warmer and clear. So looking forward to riding into Maine tomorrow.
Til next time.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
The mountains of Vermont have been challenging and beautiful. The big event of the last few days happened yesterday. I rode into Bethel, Vermont and didn't know where I was going to stay for the night. I had tried to call earlier to find a place, but the phone connection was bad. So, I got there and tried to chase down a place to stay. None were available. I was exhausted after climbing over a mountain pass and was at a very low point. I was sitting in front of a convenience store eating so that I would have enough energy to figure out what to do next. A woman came over and started talking with me. It turns out that she had passed me on her bike earlier. She is a triathlete and was out for a training ride. Long story short, I stayed with her and her husband and their three kids (and two dogs, three cats and a fish). They fed me and got me back on my feet. We had a lot of fun. It was a great connection.
Today, going over another pass, the rode was closed. The detour was all dirt and gravel. So it was uphill with a not very forgiving surface to ride on. Turned out to be only about 6 miles out of the way. The rest of the day was great. Am in Fairlee Vt. Across the river from Orford, New Hampshire. Recalculated and I think I have about 8 days of riding left. The weather has turned really unpredictable. Rain the and like in the forecast. We will see what it will bring.
Feeling good. A bit worn out, but good anyway. I can't be complaining. Casper got slammed by a snow storm. At least I'm not in that.
Til next time.
The mountains of Vermont have been challenging and beautiful. The big event of the last few days happened yesterday. I rode into Bethel, Vermont and didn't know where I was going to stay for the night. I had tried to call earlier to find a place, but the phone connection was bad. So, I got there and tried to chase down a place to stay. None were available. I was exhausted after climbing over a mountain pass and was at a very low point. I was sitting in front of a convenience store eating so that I would have enough energy to figure out what to do next. A woman came over and started talking with me. It turns out that she had passed me on her bike earlier. She is a triathlete and was out for a training ride. Long story short, I stayed with her and her husband and their three kids (and two dogs, three cats and a fish). They fed me and got me back on my feet. We had a lot of fun. It was a great connection.
Today, going over another pass, the rode was closed. The detour was all dirt and gravel. So it was uphill with a not very forgiving surface to ride on. Turned out to be only about 6 miles out of the way. The rest of the day was great. Am in Fairlee Vt. Across the river from Orford, New Hampshire. Recalculated and I think I have about 8 days of riding left. The weather has turned really unpredictable. Rain the and like in the forecast. We will see what it will bring.
Feeling good. A bit worn out, but good anyway. I can't be complaining. Casper got slammed by a snow storm. At least I'm not in that.
Til next time.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Thursday, Oct. 3 , 2013
Still recovering from yesterday's ride. But today's went well. Made it to Middlebury. Nice town. Another ferry ride. Officially in Vermont. Today was catchup day. Laundry, shopping, walking
around town. Chilling out.
Girding myself for tomorrow's mountain climb. The tree's are still great, just not quite as far along as in the Adirondacks. I imagine as I go up, the colors will increase. Met a couple from Nebraska who came out here to chase the fall colors. Small world. They have a son who lives in Ames.
Til next time.
Still recovering from yesterday's ride. But today's went well. Made it to Middlebury. Nice town. Another ferry ride. Officially in Vermont. Today was catchup day. Laundry, shopping, walking
around town. Chilling out.
Girding myself for tomorrow's mountain climb. The tree's are still great, just not quite as far along as in the Adirondacks. I imagine as I go up, the colors will increase. Met a couple from Nebraska who came out here to chase the fall colors. Small world. They have a son who lives in Ames.
Til next time.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
The fall foliage has been stunning. Hard to take pictures of, but easy to appreciate and have one's breath taken away.
I ate breakfast with a group of photographers who meet somewhere in New England every fall to take photo's together. They come from all over the country to spend time together each year. They said that this is the most vibrant and colorful they have seen in all the years they have been getting together. I feel lucky and blessed.
Today was one of those days when the best plans didn't turn out that great. I had planned to ride 50 miles and then stay in a bed and breakfast in a town a bit away from others. I even tried to call the B&B. Got a recording, but they used the name of the B&B in the recording. Phone service was spotty and I lost the call. So, I rode to the town and was told that the B&B had closed.
So I rode an extra 25 miles. That is harder to do in the hills. Tonight, I will sleep well.
Tomorrow, Vermont. Passing through Ticonderoga, N.Y. on the way. Big mountains coming up.
At the most, two weeks left in the trip. Partly depending on the weather.
Feel good (and tired).
Til next time.
The fall foliage has been stunning. Hard to take pictures of, but easy to appreciate and have one's breath taken away.
I ate breakfast with a group of photographers who meet somewhere in New England every fall to take photo's together. They come from all over the country to spend time together each year. They said that this is the most vibrant and colorful they have seen in all the years they have been getting together. I feel lucky and blessed.
Today was one of those days when the best plans didn't turn out that great. I had planned to ride 50 miles and then stay in a bed and breakfast in a town a bit away from others. I even tried to call the B&B. Got a recording, but they used the name of the B&B in the recording. Phone service was spotty and I lost the call. So, I rode to the town and was told that the B&B had closed.
So I rode an extra 25 miles. That is harder to do in the hills. Tonight, I will sleep well.
Tomorrow, Vermont. Passing through Ticonderoga, N.Y. on the way. Big mountains coming up.
At the most, two weeks left in the trip. Partly depending on the weather.
Feel good (and tired).
Til next time.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Tuesday, October 1 ,2013
I am writing this at the start of the day. Hard to get Internet service. The fall colors have bloomed. It was kind of stunning to see how fast things changed. Lots and lots of trees and color. And hills to enjoy the vista's.
Was in Pulaski. It is salmon season. I have never seen so many people in streams and on bridges trying to catch fish. You would think the salmon would get scared away. It has been good to get away from that craziness.
Spent last night in Boonville, N.Y. More climbing today.
Til next time.
I am writing this at the start of the day. Hard to get Internet service. The fall colors have bloomed. It was kind of stunning to see how fast things changed. Lots and lots of trees and color. And hills to enjoy the vista's.
Was in Pulaski. It is salmon season. I have never seen so many people in streams and on bridges trying to catch fish. You would think the salmon would get scared away. It has been good to get away from that craziness.
Spent last night in Boonville, N.Y. More climbing today.
Til next time.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Saturday, Sept 28, 2013
Today was a great day riding. Not too cold in the morning. About 60 in the "heat" of the day. The roads were great. At the end of the day, the shoulder was wider than the lane for the cars. It is getting hillier.
Lots and lots of orchards. And thousands of trees just barely turning into fall colors.
Roadkill - 1 possum (and he wasn't "playing" dead).
In Wolcott, New York. A small town close to Lake Ontario. I may be out of touch for a while. Heading for the mountains. Sometimes phone and Internet service gets patchy.
Doing great. The tendinitis is still lingering, but seems to be getting better.
Til next time.
Today was a great day riding. Not too cold in the morning. About 60 in the "heat" of the day. The roads were great. At the end of the day, the shoulder was wider than the lane for the cars. It is getting hillier.
Lots and lots of orchards. And thousands of trees just barely turning into fall colors.
Roadkill - 1 possum (and he wasn't "playing" dead).
In Wolcott, New York. A small town close to Lake Ontario. I may be out of touch for a while. Heading for the mountains. Sometimes phone and Internet service gets patchy.
Doing great. The tendinitis is still lingering, but seems to be getting better.
Til next time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday, Sept 27, 2013
Friday, Sept. 27, 2013
Happy birthday to my brother a day early!!!
The biking has been good the past two days. Got to see the power of Niagara Falls, and a bit of history by riding for 40 miles next to the Erie Canal.
The tough part of the past two days has been logistics. Finding places to spend the night. Finding good things to eat. Finding a Laundromat before the clothes started to smell like a road-kill skunk. The biking is the easy part.
Got lost yesterday. Still don't know how it happened. Once I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be, I tried to find someone to give me directions. That turned out to be a young flagman on road construction. Found out about a generational thing. He had no clue how to get me back to where I needed to be. He always relied on the GPS on his phone. Except it wasn't working. So he asked an older worker(30 instead of 22). He knew for sure. And gave me some incredibly confusing directions. I understood the first part, so I headed in that direction. Flagged down a 60 year old guy, and he whipped out a map and showed me where to go. Just up my alley. Turns out I was only about two miles off course. Maybe I need to get with it and get a smart phone with GPS.
Am currently in a town southeast of Rochester, NY. Will start to head up to Lake Ontario tomorrow, and then over to the Adirondacks.
Frustrated about logistics, but the outlook usually seems brighter after a good night's sleep and getting on the bike in the morning.
Oh, the animal report. Blue Heron haven along the canal.
Til next time.
Friday, Sept. 27, 2013
Happy birthday to my brother a day early!!!
The biking has been good the past two days. Got to see the power of Niagara Falls, and a bit of history by riding for 40 miles next to the Erie Canal.
The tough part of the past two days has been logistics. Finding places to spend the night. Finding good things to eat. Finding a Laundromat before the clothes started to smell like a road-kill skunk. The biking is the easy part.
Got lost yesterday. Still don't know how it happened. Once I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be, I tried to find someone to give me directions. That turned out to be a young flagman on road construction. Found out about a generational thing. He had no clue how to get me back to where I needed to be. He always relied on the GPS on his phone. Except it wasn't working. So he asked an older worker(30 instead of 22). He knew for sure. And gave me some incredibly confusing directions. I understood the first part, so I headed in that direction. Flagged down a 60 year old guy, and he whipped out a map and showed me where to go. Just up my alley. Turns out I was only about two miles off course. Maybe I need to get with it and get a smart phone with GPS.
Am currently in a town southeast of Rochester, NY. Will start to head up to Lake Ontario tomorrow, and then over to the Adirondacks.
Frustrated about logistics, but the outlook usually seems brighter after a good night's sleep and getting on the bike in the morning.
Oh, the animal report. Blue Heron haven along the canal.
Til next time.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Wednesday, Sept 25 , 2013
Am in Fort Erie, right across the bridge from Buffalo, New York. Tomorrow, headed towards Niagra Falls. Ended the day on 20 miles of great bike path and start the day tomorrow with another 20 miles. I LOVE good bike paths.
Biked for a while with a fellow bike camper. He instantly diagnosed my leg/foot issue. Tendinitis. I have had issues for about a week. I can bike ok, but by the end of the day, my leg and ankle are swelled up like a balloon, and I can't walk without a lot of pain. The good news is that the pain and swelling are getting better. I stopped taking pain medication. So hopefully, it will gradually go away. One of my tires blew out. After the riding was over for the day. Better than if I were on the bike, I guess.
I've really enjoyed Canada, but am ready to get back home to the USA.
Til next time.
Am in Fort Erie, right across the bridge from Buffalo, New York. Tomorrow, headed towards Niagra Falls. Ended the day on 20 miles of great bike path and start the day tomorrow with another 20 miles. I LOVE good bike paths.
Biked for a while with a fellow bike camper. He instantly diagnosed my leg/foot issue. Tendinitis. I have had issues for about a week. I can bike ok, but by the end of the day, my leg and ankle are swelled up like a balloon, and I can't walk without a lot of pain. The good news is that the pain and swelling are getting better. I stopped taking pain medication. So hopefully, it will gradually go away. One of my tires blew out. After the riding was over for the day. Better than if I were on the bike, I guess.
I've really enjoyed Canada, but am ready to get back home to the USA.
Til next time.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Tuesday, Sept 24, 2013
Great rhythm with the bike today. It was a treat to ride next to Lake Erie most of the day.
Saw three signs today warning of turtles crossing the road.
Passed the 3,000 mile mark. That is a lot of miles.
Was missing eating veggies, so I went on the prowl for a salad bar. Success.
Currently in Port Dover. A few more days in Canada. The riding has been great. Nice roads, and the drivers have been incredibly accommodating. Also clear and cool. A bit too cool early in the morning, but better than too hot.
Til next time.
Great rhythm with the bike today. It was a treat to ride next to Lake Erie most of the day.
Saw three signs today warning of turtles crossing the road.
Passed the 3,000 mile mark. That is a lot of miles.
Was missing eating veggies, so I went on the prowl for a salad bar. Success.
Currently in Port Dover. A few more days in Canada. The riding has been great. Nice roads, and the drivers have been incredibly accommodating. Also clear and cool. A bit too cool early in the morning, but better than too hot.
Til next time.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, Sept 23, 2013
There are little things that give notice I am in a different country. The streets aren't named Washington or Jefferson or Madison. More along the lines of Trafalgar, Nelson, and King George. Then there is the whole thing with flying the flag. I saw so many American flags flying on this trip. Now there are just as many flags, but they are Canadian flags. It is just different. A lot of farmers fly the flag. And there are signs about supporting the troops, just like back home.
Lots of apple orchards. Harvesting going on. The trees are really short, and FULL of apples. One orchard today had the trees trimmed so they looked more like being part of a vineyard. But with LOTS of apples.
Dogs were after me today. Until the end of the day there was an interesting pattern. The dogs would give chase, but they wouldn't come into the road. I got a bit confident that ALL dogs in Canada were like this until the last dog today. By then I was assuming that I didn't have to worry about being attacked. Of course that is when the dog came after me on the road. And it was a big dog.
Besides the apple orchards, there were hundreds of pumpkins being harvested. And the usual corn, soybeans, etc.
There were llama's again. But the intriguing animals on the road were snails. I didn't see one of them squished. But lots. Seeming to be headed for the other side of the road.
Lake Erie is BIG, like the other Great Lakes. I am in Port Stanley. You can tell it is a big touristy area, but this time of year it is mostly deserted. I was one of two people on the whole beach.
Had some brief conversations with some locals. There is definitely an accent going on. Can't really place what it is, but it is a lot more pronounced than I expected.
Met another cyclist today. From Ontario, just taking advantage of the clear weather to do a bit of biking and camping.
Tired, but feeling good.
Til next time.
There are little things that give notice I am in a different country. The streets aren't named Washington or Jefferson or Madison. More along the lines of Trafalgar, Nelson, and King George. Then there is the whole thing with flying the flag. I saw so many American flags flying on this trip. Now there are just as many flags, but they are Canadian flags. It is just different. A lot of farmers fly the flag. And there are signs about supporting the troops, just like back home.
Lots of apple orchards. Harvesting going on. The trees are really short, and FULL of apples. One orchard today had the trees trimmed so they looked more like being part of a vineyard. But with LOTS of apples.
Dogs were after me today. Until the end of the day there was an interesting pattern. The dogs would give chase, but they wouldn't come into the road. I got a bit confident that ALL dogs in Canada were like this until the last dog today. By then I was assuming that I didn't have to worry about being attacked. Of course that is when the dog came after me on the road. And it was a big dog.
Besides the apple orchards, there were hundreds of pumpkins being harvested. And the usual corn, soybeans, etc.
There were llama's again. But the intriguing animals on the road were snails. I didn't see one of them squished. But lots. Seeming to be headed for the other side of the road.
Lake Erie is BIG, like the other Great Lakes. I am in Port Stanley. You can tell it is a big touristy area, but this time of year it is mostly deserted. I was one of two people on the whole beach.
Had some brief conversations with some locals. There is definitely an accent going on. Can't really place what it is, but it is a lot more pronounced than I expected.
Met another cyclist today. From Ontario, just taking advantage of the clear weather to do a bit of biking and camping.
Tired, but feeling good.
Til next time.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Sunday, Sept. 22 , 2013
In Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. The trip today was good. Got to ride on bike trails again. It certainly makes a difference. It didn't rain today!!!! And it does look clear for 5 days or so. A bit cool this morning - low 40's. One more day of cool weather and then it will start to warm up a bit.
It is definitely fall. I finally found a store that sells long underwear. In Michigan they don't think it is cold enough yet.
Ontario is similar to the Michigan that I just left. Agricultural. Rode by some fairly large apple orchards. Then we have the usual corn, soybeans, etc. The speed limit seems to be lower here, so I feel a little safer on the road. I will need to practice my kilometer estimations. So far I haven't been good at it.
Very courteous people helping me to get where I need to be.
I am getting a bit homesick. The biking is still really good. It would just be nice to be around familiar things. Now at least 2/3 of the way done. Almost 3/4. In two days I will hit the 3,000 mile mark. Feels good.
Til next time.
In Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. The trip today was good. Got to ride on bike trails again. It certainly makes a difference. It didn't rain today!!!! And it does look clear for 5 days or so. A bit cool this morning - low 40's. One more day of cool weather and then it will start to warm up a bit.
It is definitely fall. I finally found a store that sells long underwear. In Michigan they don't think it is cold enough yet.
Ontario is similar to the Michigan that I just left. Agricultural. Rode by some fairly large apple orchards. Then we have the usual corn, soybeans, etc. The speed limit seems to be lower here, so I feel a little safer on the road. I will need to practice my kilometer estimations. So far I haven't been good at it.
Very courteous people helping me to get where I need to be.
I am getting a bit homesick. The biking is still really good. It would just be nice to be around familiar things. Now at least 2/3 of the way done. Almost 3/4. In two days I will hit the 3,000 mile mark. Feels good.
Til next time.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Had a great surprise this morning. Someone from Frankenmuth ended up riding with me for the first hour. It had been a while since I had ridden with other cyclists, and it was really uplifting. Bill from Frankenmuth. We talked about hunting wild turkeys and pheasants. Michigan. Roads. Kids. Life. It made my day. I hadn't realized how much I missed that commraderie(sp).
It rained again, after the weatherman promised 5-6 days of clear skies.
Rode through Vassar, Brown(city), and am staying in Yale.
More bike trails today and a few more on the horizon tomorrow.
Last day in Michigan tomorrow. On to Ontario, Canada.
Til next time.
Had a great surprise this morning. Someone from Frankenmuth ended up riding with me for the first hour. It had been a while since I had ridden with other cyclists, and it was really uplifting. Bill from Frankenmuth. We talked about hunting wild turkeys and pheasants. Michigan. Roads. Kids. Life. It made my day. I hadn't realized how much I missed that commraderie(sp).
It rained again, after the weatherman promised 5-6 days of clear skies.
Rode through Vassar, Brown(city), and am staying in Yale.
More bike trails today and a few more on the horizon tomorrow.
Last day in Michigan tomorrow. On to Ontario, Canada.
Til next time.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Friday, Sept. 20 , 2013
Today was a combination of the sublime and the miserable. The sublime involved riding on the bike trails. Fantastic. And a lot more than I thought originally. Three different trails. Not much road kill on bike trails. Animal theme of the day - rabbits.
A totally different Michigan today. Completely agricultural. Corn, soybeans, etc. No lakes.
The miserable related to rain and wind. Fighting a headwind for a lot of the day. The rain was light, but still wet. So now it is supposed to be cłear for a few days. Yeah!!!!
I finally got out the painkillers. After taking a day off a week ago, I had a hard time getting my form back. I have somehow aggravated my shin. Feels like shin splints, but I don't know. I think it is getting better. We will see.
In general the day felt more on the sublime side. Will be in Canada starting Sunday. In Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Til next time.
Today was a combination of the sublime and the miserable. The sublime involved riding on the bike trails. Fantastic. And a lot more than I thought originally. Three different trails. Not much road kill on bike trails. Animal theme of the day - rabbits.
A totally different Michigan today. Completely agricultural. Corn, soybeans, etc. No lakes.
The miserable related to rain and wind. Fighting a headwind for a lot of the day. The rain was light, but still wet. So now it is supposed to be cłear for a few days. Yeah!!!!
I finally got out the painkillers. After taking a day off a week ago, I had a hard time getting my form back. I have somehow aggravated my shin. Feels like shin splints, but I don't know. I think it is getting better. We will see.
In general the day felt more on the sublime side. Will be in Canada starting Sunday. In Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Til next time.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Thursday, Sept 19, 2013
The past two days have been great. Fantastic roads. Little traffic. And some real inspirational scenery. The tree canopies were like cathedrals again. Lots of small lakes. Similar to Wisconsin.
I forgot to mention the crops the other day. There were lots of orchards. Apple and pear and others that I couldn't tell because they had no fruit left. There were fields of sunflowers, which was surprising. Also lots of vegetables, with frequent road side stands.
Road kill counts - 4 porcupines, two raccoons.
Lots of deer and a huge number of flocks of wild turkeys.
Great conversations with motorcycle riders. They LOVE their state. Great scenery for them too.
It has rained for part of the last three days. Tomorrow it will rain about half of the day. And then it is supposed to be clear for 5 days or so. Cold, but clear.
Got a chance to ride on a bike trail today. Tomorrow I will get back on that trail for about 35 miles. That will be really nice.
Am in Clare, Michigan, heading mostly east now.
Til next time.
The past two days have been great. Fantastic roads. Little traffic. And some real inspirational scenery. The tree canopies were like cathedrals again. Lots of small lakes. Similar to Wisconsin.
I forgot to mention the crops the other day. There were lots of orchards. Apple and pear and others that I couldn't tell because they had no fruit left. There were fields of sunflowers, which was surprising. Also lots of vegetables, with frequent road side stands.
Road kill counts - 4 porcupines, two raccoons.
Lots of deer and a huge number of flocks of wild turkeys.
Great conversations with motorcycle riders. They LOVE their state. Great scenery for them too.
It has rained for part of the last three days. Tomorrow it will rain about half of the day. And then it is supposed to be clear for 5 days or so. Cold, but clear.
Got a chance to ride on a bike trail today. Tomorrow I will get back on that trail for about 35 miles. That will be really nice.
Am in Clare, Michigan, heading mostly east now.
Til next time.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Tuesday, Sept 17,2013
Two much better days after spending Sunday in the rain. This part of Michigan has been hilly. Makes for some nice vista's, but I'm not too hot about climbing hills. Saw lots of deer. A raccoon ran into the road, looked the other way and then turned my way. He scooted back into the woods.
As in Minnesota, came upon 3 alpaca's or maybe llama's this time.
Ran into my first closed campground. They closed it on Sunday for the season. It could make it interesting if I run into too many more of them. Last night I spent in a county park campground right on the Lake Michigan shore. Not many in the campground. It was COLD again. Down to 41 this morning. Decided I need to get some more warm clothes.
Now the issue is to find a store. I went through Traverse City today, but I didn't know where the stores were. And it is hard to negotiate larger cities.
I missed a turn again today, but this time I caught it before going too far out of the way.
Spending the night in Interlochen, Michigan. Will start wending my way east and south to make it to the Canadian border. Going well.
Til next time.
Two much better days after spending Sunday in the rain. This part of Michigan has been hilly. Makes for some nice vista's, but I'm not too hot about climbing hills. Saw lots of deer. A raccoon ran into the road, looked the other way and then turned my way. He scooted back into the woods.
As in Minnesota, came upon 3 alpaca's or maybe llama's this time.
Ran into my first closed campground. They closed it on Sunday for the season. It could make it interesting if I run into too many more of them. Last night I spent in a county park campground right on the Lake Michigan shore. Not many in the campground. It was COLD again. Down to 41 this morning. Decided I need to get some more warm clothes.
Now the issue is to find a store. I went through Traverse City today, but I didn't know where the stores were. And it is hard to negotiate larger cities.
I missed a turn again today, but this time I caught it before going too far out of the way.
Spending the night in Interlochen, Michigan. Will start wending my way east and south to make it to the Canadian border. Going well.
Til next time.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, Sept 15,2013
Not much to report today. It started raining at 5 this morning and except for a 30 minute break that allowed me to take the tent down, it rained all day. Hanging out in Petoskey, Michigan. If it weren't for the rain, I think this would have been one of my favorite rides. Lots of coastline. Plenty of trees. And some incredible homes. Harbor Springs had several miles of huge, stately homes looking out over the bay.
I keep running into people who LOVE their state.
Til next time.
Not much to report today. It started raining at 5 this morning and except for a 30 minute break that allowed me to take the tent down, it rained all day. Hanging out in Petoskey, Michigan. If it weren't for the rain, I think this would have been one of my favorite rides. Lots of coastline. Plenty of trees. And some incredible homes. Harbor Springs had several miles of huge, stately homes looking out over the bay.
I keep running into people who LOVE their state.
Til next time.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013
Today was a break day. Went to Mackinac Island and looked around for a good part of the day. Only horses and bicycles on the island, so it was right up my alley. My total mileage for the day was 13.13 miles. Interesting that yesterday was 9/13/13. My lucky number is 13 .
The island was a bit touristy, but fun and interesting all the same. On the boat ride to the island they took us underneath the Mackinac Bridge and gave us some history. Used to be the biggest suspension bridge in the world.
Am spending tonight in a campground on the mainland side of the bridge. Right next to Lake Huron this time, with a view of the bridge again.
I pulled into the campground right into the end of a 7 day biking trip sponsored by the organization that printed my maps (Adventure Cycling Association). They were up in the UP also, so we told some good biking stories - of course about how it rained every night for 5 straight nights. It was good to touch base with other cyclists. And they all had big smiles on their faces from having a great trip. Even the guy who locked his keys in his car.
Tomorrow wiłl be back to somewhat normal riding, but not too far for a while - it doesn't fit in with finding a place to spend the night.
Til next time.
Today was a break day. Went to Mackinac Island and looked around for a good part of the day. Only horses and bicycles on the island, so it was right up my alley. My total mileage for the day was 13.13 miles. Interesting that yesterday was 9/13/13. My lucky number is 13 .
The island was a bit touristy, but fun and interesting all the same. On the boat ride to the island they took us underneath the Mackinac Bridge and gave us some history. Used to be the biggest suspension bridge in the world.
Am spending tonight in a campground on the mainland side of the bridge. Right next to Lake Huron this time, with a view of the bridge again.
I pulled into the campground right into the end of a 7 day biking trip sponsored by the organization that printed my maps (Adventure Cycling Association). They were up in the UP also, so we told some good biking stories - of course about how it rained every night for 5 straight nights. It was good to touch base with other cyclists. And they all had big smiles on their faces from having a great trip. Even the guy who locked his keys in his car.
Tomorrow wiłl be back to somewhat normal riding, but not too far for a while - it doesn't fit in with finding a place to spend the night.
Til next time.
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