Pedaling

You are reading this tomorrow again as we are in a primitive state forest campground. There is no electricity, no showers, no cell coverage, and the only running water is the waves of Lake Michigan lapping on the shore 20 yards from our tent. Oh, there is a well with a hand pump just like grandma and grandpa had on the farm. There is also an outhouse, but I’ll spare you the details. Otherwise, this is a perfect place to end the day after pedaling another 58 miles. It’s been cool again, with mostly cloudy skies. 

We left the state park later than normal around 8:30 and road into Manistique for breakfast at the Cedar Street Cafe & Espresso Bar, a converted old brownstone business space. The couple next to us warned their servings were large. They struck up a conversation asking the usual, where from, where to, how long. But they had a genuine interest. They wanted the details of our route and planned stops through Michigan and were ready to affirm that our next week traveling south along the west lake shore of Michigan would be absolutely gorgeous. I was as amazed at their interest and care as they were of our ambition. 

Fueled up on a breakfast burrito and coffee for me and some divine  French Toast and hot cocoa for Rhonda, we pedaled east on US 2. Again, it’s a very busy and tense highway but the wide shoulders are safe enough. Provisions and rest are sparse along this section.  Most vehicles are an hour or so from St Ignace with no need to stop. But we did find a convenience   store for a nature break and a snack to keep us going. 

50 miles in, we came upon Naubinway. A village with a going concern. If you like 5 Guys burgers, Fancy Freeze, and deep fried fish in a McDonalds atmosphere, you would love MooFinFries! The place was hopping. It has to be a must stop for every parent with kids. We were just hungry and hoping to find a late lunch/early dinner with a wall socket to charge our devices (we knew what a primitive camp was). The burgers were big and delicious. We watched as they sliced the potatoes for fries (looked like large Yukon Golds and not russets). We decided to share one large order. It was more than enough to fill us. Even as we sat next to the ice cream displaying all sorts and flavors of the frozen creamy yum yum, we were too full to order any. 

Now, with a 1/4 pound of burger and a huge sliced Yukon Gold ruminating in my belly, I had only 8 miles to pedal in hopes of getting a first come first serve primitive camp site. But not before a stop at the rest area 3 miles out of town for another nature break. As we saddled up, yet another local gent was genuinely interested in our adventure and for our well being. Just a nice guy. 

Not bad for a rather typical and uneventful day of touring.