Saturday, July 13, 2013

The finish, Petersburg to Luna Pier

June 30, 2013

Our hotel accommodations were greatly valued, especially as we heard  the rain and thunder last night.  Roger was tucked in nice and dry in the camper, so we were all blessed.  It felt so good to have a leisurely and  PRIVATE, shower before bed.

Ariann was riding with a group of new friends today, so she wasn't around for a group picture. We'll change into our raspberry shirts before the parade.



 Tammy smiles bigger when this guy is around.



The morning spread sunshine, mixed with cotton ball clouds before us.  Our trip today is a short one, 28 miles.  The parade will line up at 11:30 AM, so we will still need to book it.  A sea of raspberry shirted cyclist will pedal the 2 miles to the school.  Our shirts are more like a hot pink, bit guys probably wouldn't appreciate wearing the shirts if they called them that, so raspberry, it is.  

We weren't very far along when we rode past this playground, a child's dream come true.  I could picture our grandchildren climbing about and exploring every piece of equipment.  A sword fight to defend the castle would definitely need to take place.



This is the first white barn with a green roof i've seen.  Of course, it owned by a family of  Irish descent.




Luna Pier
Luna Pier, population 1436 , in Monroe County is located 6 miles from the Ohio border. It has a unique crescent shaped pier, about 800 feet in length. The pier extends into Lake Erie 200 feet.

Luna Pier was at one time 2 lake side communities, known as Lakewood and Lakeside. Lakewood was a town of privately owned, wood framed, summer cottages, and Lakeside was the place to go for rental cottages. In 1963 Luna Pier incorporated into a city.

By the late 1800's and early 1900's, it was a resort destination. Before the days of the automobile, an interurban passenger railway system moved folks from one place to another and connected both Toledo and Detroit, allowing families to spend the summer months enjoying the lake shore, while the wage earner commuted, back and forth. Parts of the system are still evident today on Harold Drive which runs parallel to Lake Erie. A bridge structure remains visible where Harold Drive dead ends at LaPoint
Drain.

In the 1920's an outdoor summer dancing area was constructed by the Lakeside Resort and Amusement Company. The structure, around 1000 sq feet. extended into the Lake, had a ticket booth, terrazzo dance floor, lighting and a band shell. Dancing the “”thing”, to do in the 1920'a and this unusual set up attracted many big name bands, including Guy Lombardo and Benny Goodman. A 1954 fire and ice storm destroyed the dance floor.

Luna Pier we have arrived.



This is what we saw when we turned toward Lake Erie.








Tony and I with Lake Erie in the background.   My trusty map is around my neck. Ddid I mention that we missed our navigator from previous years?

 Time to line up for our ride to the school.








This parade is about ready to roll.



Even after we were at the school, the riders continued to arrive.





  Some friends from PALM















Thank you once again to all the PALM volunteers that made this a great tour, and thanks to the Lord for his provision and hand of protection, upon us. Hope to see old friends and new on another PALM.

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