The alarm went off at five in the morning. It was still dark and I snoozed for another twenty minutes, before breaking up camp. My camp spot was at the very tip of the park and surrounded by Lake Michigan. Looking out eastward an orange glow grew brighter and started to lit up the sky. Good morning, America! The tent tarp and footprint were very wet from morning dew and unfortunately I had to pack it all in before it had a chance to dry. I could have worn some gloves as my hands were freezing but didnt want to bother. Riding into town several joggers and dog walkers were up wearing hats, gloves and jackets. I was bare handed, in bike shorts and a long sleeve top. What was I thinking? With the long and harsh winter this year the five Great Lakes stayed frozen much longer than usual and kept air temperatures cooler than normal. I had a big mileage day ahead but with temperatures being in the low fifties this early in the morning, I decided not to get a head start. At McD I was the first customer in the restaurant and had a hot cocoa with some leftover food from the day before. After blogging for awhile and talking to some local onlookers I finally made my way out of town by eight thirty a.m. Highway 2 turned east and where it flanked Lake Michigan boasted beautiful views of the shoreline complete with reeds, waterfowl and sandy beaches. At one of the rest stops on the lake side I stopped for a mid-morning snack and took in the peace and quiet and enjoyed a pristine lake view away from traffic and other road construction noises. Yes, like several other northern states, Michigan has only two seasons namely winter and road work. After the break, a long stretch of highway was blocked off for a road improvement project and had me weave in and around traffic for a while. In Manistique I stopped at the visitor center for a map of the Great Lakes Circle tour and some other travel information. Outside in front of the building stood a giant Paul Bunyan statue, by locals claimed to be the original one. Inside I was greeted by two friendly travel advisers and after some refreshing cold water from the cooler bottle, the subject of my bike ride came up. With much enthusiasm Kathy and Connie engaged into conversation. I was informed and forwarned about the giant size mosquitos around Lake Superior. Also black flies thrive out there and I was advised not to wear white as it attracts them. It is getting time to start storing my food, soap and suntan lotion in the bear vault as I am now moving into bear, moose and timber wolf territory. An hour later after taken some glamour shots and receiving two generous donations we said our good byes. Back on the road by almost three oclock I had a long ways to go and started cranking the miles. By almost nine oclock, twenty two miles before St. Ignas, I called it quits completing another 122 miles. I checked in at the Chapel Hill Motel where Kathy the friendly front desk person gave me a break on the room rate because of my charity bike ride and generously donated a Jackson bill for the cause. After six days of fundraising along Lake Michigan we have already raised $1,000 in donation. At this rate after completing all five Great Lakes we should make our objective. I am grateful. Please give if you can to give hope and life to those in need of safe drinking water at: fundly/rudyvanprooyen
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:50:01 +0000
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