Woke up this morning early. It's hard to sleep for long on such a hard surface. We are tired, and have our 2nd highest mileage day ahead of us. This day, might be the biggest challenge our bodies have faced. Can bodies that only got 4 hours of asleep ride 53 miles? Guess we'll know by the end of the day. I'm thinking we'll be drawing some strength from the Lord today, just like the signs on the back of the trike say.
Our latest start today, as it took us awhile to wring things out and pack up. I had put the tent bag in with our things rescued from the tent last night, and that bag was already on the truck, so the sleeping pads, (yep, that bag was in the truck too) and tent, went into garbage bags. I noticed ours weren't the only garbage bags loaded on the truck today, so it could be interesting finding out which are ours when the truck is unloaded later today.
It was close to 9 AM when we left the school. It was cloudy, wasn't long before it started raining. When the rain was done, hot and steamy paid us a visit. We drank lots of water, and stopped often to offer Button water, and cool him off, by pouring water on him. He rides better each day, less concerned about being next to me and more interested in the surroundings and people. He cries if we go past a water stop without stopping. He knows he gets lots of attention there from his "fan club."
So many great people on this ride, all are so friendly. The food has been great too. Each community is truly glad to see us, and goes out of their way to be hospitable. It's nice to feel welcome and the people at the schools, go out of their way to meet our needs.
Rode 30 miles on the Pierre Marquette bike trail. What a nice trail. Very well maintained, and nice and wide. Plenty of restrooms and shade.
Also had some beautiful wild flowers along the trail.
The trail ended in midland by the tridge, a 3 way bridge, which is loctaed in the heart of downtown Midland. It is a 3 way pedestrian foot bridge that goes over the Tittabawasee and Chipewa rivers.. The tridge marks the spot where the 2 rivers meet. It was built in 1981 and has become a popular gather spot for many.
The trail ended in midland by the tridge, a 3 way bridge, which is loctaed in the heart of downtown Midland. It is a 3 way pedestrian foot bridge that goes over the Tittabawasee and Chipewa rivers.. The tridge marks the spot where the 2 rivers meet. It was built in 1981 and has become a popular gather spot for many.
There was also a children's water, play place in the park. Not sure what it was called but it was circular and had water spouts that shot up at different intervals. Quite a few kids were enjoying it, and were joined by a couple of PALM bikers who wanted to cool off.
We had planned to have lunch at the farmers market, but it had closed a half hour earlier. Tony was really hot, we both needed food and a break, so we walked up the hill to a Pizza and Sub place that had outdoor seating.
We could see that a storm was moving in, so I quickly went down the hill, and put the trike under the fruit market shelter, and grabbed our rain gear. I no sooner got back to the restaurant, when the storm hit. It was raining and blowing so hard, that those that were outside went in the restaurant. we didn't because we had Button with us. Finally one of the people that worked there ,told us to just bring the dog in. we were grateful to get out of the rain, finished our lunch and sat and talked with some other PALM riders for about 30 minutes, until the storm passed. Sure were glad we weren't out riding in it.
We could see that a storm was moving in, so I quickly went down the hill, and put the trike under the fruit market shelter, and grabbed our rain gear. I no sooner got back to the restaurant, when the storm hit. It was raining and blowing so hard, that those that were outside went in the restaurant. we didn't because we had Button with us. Finally one of the people that worked there ,told us to just bring the dog in. we were grateful to get out of the rain, finished our lunch and sat and talked with some other PALM riders for about 30 minutes, until the storm passed. Sure were glad we weren't out riding in it.
A reporter for the local paper interviewed us and took our picture. Found out later, the story was not put in the paper, because there was a homeland security drill in the area that day, and they ran that story instead. The paper printed a picture of a couple of kids in a tree, and said they were on a bike ride across the lower peninsula. Oh well, we almost had our moment of fame.
Walked our trike across the tridge, rode on the trail a little further, and then were back on the road again.
Rode past an old abandoned school house today, of course i had to take a picture. today. I bet the school house would tell many stories, if it could talk.
The terrain is much flatter today, that is a blessing. I am stiil amazed to look ahead of us and see lots of bikers, or to see them strung out behind us when I look in my side view mirror. Other times we are by ourselves, with no one around, and it feels like it does when we go out for a ride at home. Those are the times, when we have prayer together. Our time with the 2 of us and the Lord, enjoying his creation, praising him and bringing our cares before him.
Bay City was once the camping grounds of the Chippewa Indians and later the hub of specialized industries. Bay City continues to be a major place of commerce in Michigan.
Bay City lies at the mouth of the Saginaw River at the tip of Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. It is the county seat for Bay County. From a historical point, it also owes it's development to the lumbering industry in the late 1800's. Large quantities of lumber were floated down the Saginaw River and it is estimated that there were more sawmills in this area than anywhere else in Michigan.
It became a central distribution point for much shipping that took place on the Great Lakes. Today it is still a major shipping point for sugar, concrete and other industrial products. Of course the shipping that takes place on the Great Lakes is greatly scaled down now.
It is said that Bay City was on the Under Ground Railroad. There is a map of the underground railroad that shows it going right through Bay City and into Saginaw Bay. Thousands were likely helped down the road to freedom in this northern most stop.
Bay City also played a major role in ship building, especially during WWII, when submarines for the US and Australia were produced here. Our bike route did not take us near the bay.
We got to the fruit stop, and another rider told us there was a big storm about 6 or 7 miles behind us. I grabbed 1 piece of watermelon, got on the trike, clipped in, and away we rode. we rode like a wild fire was behind us, hitting about 17 or 18 MPH most of the way. (That is a fast speed for us to maintain for that long, as mentioned earlier, our trike alone weighs 67 lbs, plus our weight and the weight of our gear.)
Had to slow down to ride through some busy areas and cross some high traffic roads coming to the school today, but still came in faster and stronger than we usually do. We got to the school, got our rian gear out, covered Button's carrier up, were in the school, about 4 or 5 minutes, and the storm hit. Rain, thunder, lightening, hail and very high winds. The wind flattened a couple of tents. We were so grateful we weren't riding in it.
We arrived at the school 3:45 PM. I We had decided we would try and get a hotel room tonight. with the rain, no chance for the tent to dry out ad our sleeping pads are wet as well. Weren't sure how we would find a hotel, but there were some flyers on the PALM desk with a phone number for a taxi service, so decided to see if they might know of some hotels. I called and got several numbers, then started calling to see which ones accepted dogs. Finally found one and made a reservation. Then we went and ate supper. I felt much better after that, so did Tony.
After supper it was raining again, Button was cozy and dry in his carrier on the back of the trike. When we went outside, once again, he had 4 or 5 people petting him and talking to him. Such a rough life for a dog.
We found the bags we needed for the night, called the taxi service to take us to the hotel. The driver asked us which hotel. When we told him which one, he said it was further away and would cost more on Taxi fare. Said he would check a closer one for us and see if he couldn't get them to take our dog. He called, and told them he had a "pair of senior citizens" in his cab with "a cute little dog, that was like their child. A very nice dog or they couldn't take him on the bike tour. Yes, he is in a crate." Then told us the guy said yes, he would take our dog. We got a lower rate because we were part of PALM. Got out of the cab, and saw this on the cab drivers door; "Jesus is my Friend." Seems like once again, the Lord had sent a Christian to help us. No doubt that God is looking out for us and providing for us.
Stayed at the Euclid hotel. What a treat to have a bed, and a hot shower. Wanted to watch the news, but fell asleep before it came on. We'll try and catch a weather report in the morning.
Called our daughter Tracey, and had her reserve a room for us in Bad Axe. She got the last room. Heard rain in the night, and were so glad that we weren't in a tent, felt bad for those who were. Hope no one is flooded out tonight. Glad we have hotel reservations for tomorrow night as well. Don't have to deal with our wet tent and soggy sleeping pads until we get home. Thank you Lord. We'll deal with tomorrow when it comes.
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