I’m Officially a Senior

It was a pleasant place to pitch a tent. Page and Adele are gracious Warm Shower Hosts. They have a 100 year old family vacation home on the shore of Lake Michigan near Leland.  They host when they are home. They allowed us to pitch tents on their spacious lawn and access the beach behind the house. They also gave us vital intel on the local bike trails that are not part of our route maps. 

We left at 8:30 and pedaled down the highway a few miles before we diverged around Little Traverse looking for the bike path. Soon we found we found the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail that followed the coast and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. More awesome bike trails, some of which was gravel. Being part of the NPS, we were warned numerous times of steep ascents and descents. Basically announcing the next challenge and reward. 

We entered Glen Arbor just in time for delicious second breakfast at Art’s Tarvern. Thanks Mark and Karen for the tip. 

Back on the trail we passed through old farms now part of Sleeping Bear. Then we came across actual dunes. 

In the town of Empire, the moment arrived. I became a made man. I am now officially a senior! At the NPS Sleeping Bear Visitor Center I announced to the clerk at the window that I travelled half way across the country on my bike to purchase my National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Senior Lifetime Pass! She didn’t believe me! But after producing sufficient proof that I am me and a resident US citizen, I was awarded my pass. 

The trails ended and we were back on the road working our way south along the shore passing Little and the larger just plane Platte Lake. After a couple or three sharp pulls up and over we rolled into Frankfort and then just a few miles to our camp at Betsie River Campsites. 

Clean, rekaxed, steaks on the grill, we ready ourselves fir the rain and stormed forecasted fir the night. 

Ok, ok, they just called a second time that my steak is ready….,