Ortonville to New Baltimore
We all got a good nights rest last night, on real beds, in an air conditioned room. Yay!!!
It was interesting to watch Ariann's surprise visit from her Dad occur last night. 3 of us had already showered. Tammy headed for the shower, telling Ariann to call her Dad and see how his day went. I think Bock had texted that her was in Grand Blanc.
Ariann called. Here is her side of the conversation.
"Hi Dad, how was your day? It was hot here. I couldn't finish the whole ride today, it was too hot. Mom made me stop. Yeah, I know. We're in a hotel room now." then she stopped and asked me, "What town are we in?"
"Grand Blanc."
"We're in Grand Blanc. Where are you?
Short pause..
"You are not!"
"You are not! You better not be lying to me. If you are, you are in so much trouble."
"My Dad says he's outside the hotel, RIGHT NOW! " She said as she ran out the door.
Less than a minute later she returned and ran to the window. "He said he's in the back. He better really be there." Opening the curtain she looked out. "He is!! He's here." and with that she went running out of the room.
A few minutes later, she returned with her arm around Bock's waist, grinning from ear to ear. Her Dad was smiling too. Tammy joined in.
Tony and I stayed in the room, while the 3 of them went to get Bock some supper. They had a weeks worth of catching up to do.
Located on the north shore of Lake St Claire, New Baltimore was incorporated as a village in 1867, and in 1931 it was incorporated as a city. The first inhabitants , trappers and hunters, of Macomb county date back to 1796. The settlers lived along the waterfront and rivers. Later they developed farms with a narrow frontage between 400 and 900 feet and extended inland from the water. The depth of the parcel was usually determined by how far a man could plow in a day.
Lake St Clair is said to be a glacial lake formed in congruence with the 5 Great Lakes by advancing glaciers and retreating ice. Whenthe ice withdrew it lef behind, long bands of fertile soil, sand and gravel that shaped the sounding terrain, including 1/5 th of the world's fresh water supply, within the deep depression called Lake St Clair.
It is believed that the lake was discovered in 1679 by French explorer, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sileur de la Salle, Father Louis Hennepin and 31 crew members who sailed through the Great Lakes system eneered the Detroit River which took them to Lake St Clair. One story says that the lake was named after Saint Clara of Assisi, whose feast happened to be on the date, the lake was discovered.
Hot weather predicted again for tomorrow. The aim is to be on the road by 6AM. The hotel clerk set up the breakfast room for us early and with the trailer in tow, we headed for the school at 5:30 AM. Last night when Jeff brought us here, in an effort to cool down, Tony was in the front. We didn't realize the folly in that until this morning, when the GPS wouldn't recognize the school's address. Tammy should have been in front so she could help navigate the way back. After wandering around a bit and going past the same cop twice, Bock turned around and Tammy went to ask directions. We were on the right course, just hadn't gone far enough. By the time we got to the school, filled our water bottles and tires it was 7:15.
Tammy and Ariann left a bit before us, but we soon caught up to them, rode together for awhile, then we went ahead. Last year our last day on PALM was only 27 miles, this year it was 44 miles. The parade is at 1 PM so we will have to book it to make it on time. Thank goodness the course is a slight downhill grade all day.
Sights along the way;
Found this nest and eggs blown out of a tree, that offered us some shade.
We had to stop and wait for a train. Cars and bikes lined up behind us. We could feel the vibration of the train, which freaked Tony out enough to unclip. He couldn't hear me when I told him to clip in, so when the train was past, all cars had to wait behind us until Tony got clipped in again.
An ice cream stop is made sweeter when sharing it with a friend.
Random shots again.
Tony and I rode into New Baltimore around 11:15 AM. Bock was there to greet us.
Tony looks pretty good for a guy who just rode 279 miles.
About 30 minutes after we arrived, Tammy and Arriann rolled in. I'm so proud of both of them for completing this ride. We had fun sharing our training and riding over the phone and online and had even more fun riding together. Well done, ladies. Well done.
The bags are ready to be claimed and loaded in cars, trailers or on the bus.
we headed to the lake shore for the parade.
One last gathering of our little group and we are off in separate directions. Thanks Jeff and Kiersten for helping make this another memorable ride. Friendships like yours, and the joy of riding with family and making new friends are what PALM is all about.
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