At 5:15 AM we were at the Port of Milwaukee ready to board the Lake Express. The ferry crossed 80 miles of Lake Michigan in 2 1/2 hours. 
After Paul secured the tandem among the cars and motorcycles, he went out on the upper deck to catch the sun rise. It was a smooth ride from Wisconsin to Michigan. We are now in our 8th state and finally back in our own time zone.
After a great breakfast at Mike's (no relation to our Mike, but a good meal nonetheless), we left Muskegon and headed to the Musketawa Trail.
This trail was 24 miles of paved enjoyment. There were no cars and plenty of shade.
Along the trail in Conklin, we met our Warmshowers host, Karen and rode to the end of the trail. Then she took us on a whirlwind tour of the Grand Rapids area. 
Because she has been reading the blog, this was our first stop. Of course I enjoyed it very much. I even got some fabric with tandems printed on it.
Then we rode around the city and saw Gerald Ford's final resting place, the Grand River, various colleges, the historical district and even pedaled on a brick road. In spite of it's size and population (Michigan's second largest city) it is a nice little feeling city. This was a great way to start our tour after the rest days.Stats: mileage: 47; total climb: 838 ft; total mileage: 1635
Its doable for us to come get you now. Just say uncle...or help!
ReplyDeletePaul and Jane,
ReplyDeleteYes, you are getting very close to home! There's a DOGS ride this weekend at Kittatinny-think you can make it?
I spent 4 years getting my college degree (among other things) in Grand Rapids.
Happy Pedaling!
Dave
Hi guys,
ReplyDeleteWhere's the trains??
Ha, just kidding; this day sounds like one of the most enjoyable 'road' days yet! Ferry ride, rail-trail, and the great town of Grand Rapids...awesome stuff!
Safe travels,
Chris in Jersey
isnt warm showers great. we are staying with a host tonight too. he cycled around the world for 2 years. its great meeting such like minded people. plus they all seem to bake such great cakes although not as good as janes blueberry cake!
ReplyDeleteyour warm shower host seems like a gem!!! finds an open quilt shop and all...:) It is amazing how far you have come, seems like just a wee bit more before the end.
ReplyDeleteSo when's the ETA?
ReplyDeleteWhoopi-ty-aye-oh
ReplyDeleteRockin' to and fro
Back in the saddle again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way
Back in the saddle again
My name is Karen, and I too am a fabri-holic. Last week I happened to recon Field's for some stuff Jane would like. (See: http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/veloise/Bikes/?action=view¤t=08-05-10_1608.jpg)
ReplyDeleteThat's why I rode out to meet them; their maps lacked that important feature.
After shopping, we sat and had a pop, and Paul mentioned that he needed "an engine." Lo and behold, twenty minutes later, a long freight train stopped us downtown, and it had FOUR of them!
Great pleasure to be following this blog, do a little bit of my own cycletouring, and experience their company. C'mon back!