98% of our riding is done out in the country, so it seemed odd to be riding along, seeing people take their trash to the curb, and other things involved in city living. On our rides at home, we are more likely to see cows, horses and sheep grazing, or an amish buggy or wagon going down the road. Most folks, both country, and city, are friendly and had a big wave for us. We usually wave at people. The "regulars" on our routes always have a big smile for us. To wave at people lets them know we are there, that we are friendly, and enjoying riding. I try to smile and wave at people, even when it's raining. I figure, "yes, I'm getting wet, but I am able to be out riding, so I might as well, try and enjoy it." Truthfully, I can't say I always do, especially if it's a hard, cold rain. But since we have to get from point A to B, complaining won't make the miles any shorter, but attitude can make them go by faster.
Rode past an interesting cemetery today. It was close to the road, not set back a bit, the way some are, and the markers were pretty close together. If we hadn't had so many miles ahead of us today, we probably would have stopped and walked around it a bit. The old gravestones are interesting to look at. When we used to travel,more, I found it interesting to see cemeteries from different countries and states. I remember how neat it was to see the leis on the gravestones in Hawaii, and how grandiose the raised graves in New Orleans looked.
Our goal for a lunch stop today is Sebewaing, which is at the 36 mile mark. We will probably be pretty hungry by then. This small community of just over 2000 people, is known as The Sugar Beet Capitol, do to the Michigan Sugar Slicing Mill in the village, and the yearly Michigan Sugar Festival that takes place there. Many sugar beets are grown in the thumb area of Michigan.
Sugar beets are and important cash crop for MI farmers. They provide jobs and contribute to the local economy. Michigan Sugar Company is a grower owned cooperative, meaning that the growers own the company. The Michigan Sugar Cooperative has approximately 1,250 farmer-members who grow sugar beets on 175,000 acres of land. The beets are then processed into sugar at factories located in Sebe- waing, Bay City, Caro and Croswell.
The sugar beets are expensive and difficult to grow, but are a profitable crop for the farmers, with a larger profit than traditional crops such as wheat, corn or soybeans. Sugarbeets are planted in the early spring. Farmers prepare the ground for planting, by plowing the previous fall and then lightly cultivating the ground in the spring, just before planting. Growers also apply fertilizer to help the sugarbeets grow. Sugarbeet seeds are small, about the size of a BB, and are planted about 1 inch deep in the soil. The seeds are spaced about 4 inches apart in the rows. It usually takes a week or 2, for sugarbeet seeds to germinate and emerge from the soil.
We could see that some serious rain was behind us, moving in our direction, so we really pushed ourselves to get to Sebewaing before the storm. We went to McDonald's for lunch. Not our usual choice of places to eat, but we wanted out of the weather. We got the trike parked and made it inside, before the serious rain hit. We were fortunate that a friend of ours was sitting , by a table, as the place was packed with PALM riders. He told us he was just leaving, and we could have his table. We shared it with others, so the good deed got passed along. It was a good place to wait out the rain.
Before leaving, Tony and I had someone take our picture. I look like there is a triangle on my helmet, but it is just the sail of a boat on the fireplace mantle. Who ever heard of a fireplace in McDonald's? Perhaps Ronald sits by it on winter nights and warms his big feet.
Just outside of Sebewaig, we say some damage from last nights storms. Big trees uprooted, local people working to get them cut out of the way, and cleaned up.
Rode past a barn or some type of out building that was falling down. Written on the side of it was "Top Producer.'' As someone rode past us, they said, "Top producer? Top producer of what? Obviously not a top producer of barns."
The sun didn't really come out much today and the showers came and went. We had our rain gear on most of the day. Button rides along with his head on Tony's shoulder, and we don't hear much from him, unless he sees a water stop, or needs to stop for a bathroom break. We don't have to muzzle him at all now.
In spite of this being our longest mileage day, we made very good time arriving in Bay City at around 2:15 PM. Were glad hat there was some ice cream bars for sale there. Had some popcorn, and bought a t-shirt there too. Once again, the profit from all of the products sold, go to benefit some school related organization, usually the athletic boosters.
Had a good supper, looked at the pictures Dotty, the friendly PALM photographer took all week. After the 7PM meeting tonight, we can take the pictures that are of us. I think there was about 4 or 5 pictures of us.
Tomorrow our PALM ride ends in Harbor Beach, where there will be a parade through the town. Hard to believe that we have ridden 255 miles, and have only 28 more to go before the ride is done.
Stayed at the Econo Lodge tonight. There was a shuttle that was taking people to their hotels, for $2.00 per person, each way. More were in hotels tonight, because of last nights storm. Saw quite a few PALM riders at our hotel, including Mike and his group of friends. He was nice enough to carry our bags to our room for us.
Glad we had reservations. Once again, to tired to watch the news. Will catch the weather forecast in the morning. Not that it really matters, we will ride, regardless of the weather, but at least we will know how to dress appropriately.
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