Day 1 registration, Norton Shores MI.

Late start today, more to do  than we planned, due to our "play time" yesterday.  Even as we gathered last minute stuff, washed the camper, and started our drive south, we agreed that the late start was a fair exchange for the fun we had yesterday.  Memories are made one moment at a time.

We met  driver, Roger, and son-in-law Ryan near Cooperville and left from there.  In under 2 hours we arrived, unloaded bike and trikes, and started to set up camp in the Mona Shores school Parking lot.

Our trailer will only sleep 4, so this is where Roger will sleep.

Our abode, will be here, complete with noodles on the open windows, so we don't bump our heads as we walk past.

This routine will be repeated 6 more times, before the week is done.

Next we headed to the gym to pick up our registration packets. I forgot to take a picture, so had to recycle this one, from last year.  Trust me, the routine is the same.  PALM volunteers, have this down.

On to decorating our name and number tags that we are required to display on our bikes or bodies.  We usually choose a scripture verse to put on ours.  This year we wanted to honor our dear friend Jeff Baker, who recently lost his battle with leukemia.  From the time he was diagnosed, he and his wife Kiersten stood on the promise that no matter what the future held, "God is enough."  So that is what we wrote on our tour tags.

 It seemed sad to not be looking for our dear friends, Jeff and  Kiersten in the crowd.  Tony and I  planned and rode our first PALM with them 3 years ago.  Since then we have ridden many miles together.  Now Jeff rides the streets of gold.  Enjoy your reward dear friend.  We miss you, but wouldn't wish you back.  This ride is for you and your sweetheart.

Norton Shores

Norton Shores MI, population 22, 527 and 24 sq miles in size, is located in Muskegon County, on the shores of Lake MI. In addition to being graced by 6 miles of Lake MI shoreline, it's boundaries also include Black Lake and Mona Lake.

For hundreds of years, the Potawotomie, Ottawa ,and Chippewa Indians occupied much of western MI They were caretakers of the beautiful natural environment that surrounded them. There, they  fished and hunted, and farmed.

In 1845 Norton Township was settled and named after Col. Amos Norton, a Canadian patriot implicated in the rebellion of 1837. As part of Ottawa County, it included the townships of Fruitport and Sullivan. In 1855 Spring Lake township broke off from Ottawa County and became part of Muskegon County. Norton Township , with a population of 197, followed in 1859.

Ira Porter arrived at Mona Lake in 1847 built a sawmill, and started a fruit farm. More followed. One of the largest farms in the area was operated by G.N. Cobb, who also had a box factory. The climate seemed tailor made for fruit crops and more orchards and fields were planted. Boats would enter Lake Harbor, picking up crates of berries at the docks of growers, return to Lake MI, and transfer the cargo to steamers, bound for Chicago.

Today, Norton Shores might best be described as a suburban environment with a mix of commercial and industrial development.

Our meal plan consists of daily breakfast and supper.  Tonight we are on our own for supper.  Wanting to load up on pasta, we headed to Olive Garden.  Each day we will have to find a place to have lunch too.  We learned the first year, that a convenience store, is not a place to get a good healthy lunch.  Food is our fuel, so we carry packets of tuna and cracker, along with other healthy snacks in our panniers.  Tony's favorite is the homemade power bars that Tammy brought. 

Temps tomorrow are predicted to be in the high 80's.  We hope to get an early start.