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Day 35

I can smell the water...oops, it's only Lake Michigan

ROUTE: Fond du Lac to Manitowoc WI	DISTANCE: 57 Miles	WINDS: Light all morning, headwinds toward the lake
WEATHER: Sunny and cool...high 78	TERRAIN: Flat to rolling	TOTAL CLIMBING: 1800 feet

DAILY REPORT:

Today we slept in due to the short day and loaded the luggage after a late breakfast. Even though it was only a 57-mile day, which most of the group could kick out in less than 3 hours, they were all standing around the lobby like buzzards lurking over a dying cow waiting for us to open the luggage van. By the time I got all situated and ready for the bags, Jim, Karen, and I were covered as they were throwing them on faster than we could stack them. So much for the Type A personalities mellowing out.

Our route was across beautiful Wisconsin countryside toward Lake Michigan. I know I've said this about every state, but I think Wisconsin is one of the most scenic states we ride in. Each state has it's moments, but Wisconsin's dairy and crop farms dot the undulating countryside and remind me of Norman Rockwell paintings. I rode off route a mile or so a couple of times and couldn't believe the beauty of the landscape...albeit very challenging to ride for the hills were short and steep off the main routes. I remained in sensory overload most of the morning. One thing I really like about this area is the fact people take so much pride in their yards. Everywhere you look you'll find beautiful landscaping and colorful flower arrangements (above left, and right). I wish we could do that where I live in Alabama, but it's so hot, it kills everything that tries to grow in the summer.

The last few miles before town we got our first glimpse of the "Pond." County road XX took us as far west as we could go without getting wet so we turned north to parallel the Lake all the way to town. You could tell we were close to the water because of the the cool air that met us within a mile or two of the lake and because of the large flocks of gulls parked in the farm fields. Tomorrow's ride across on the boat may be a bit chilly...need to tell the troops to take a jacket.

Everyone got in pretty early today so we had our rap and dinner early enough to get folks to the laundry and time to rest for the boat ride and wedding. Tomorrow we have a day off...not really as we will be boarding a ferry and crossing Lake Michigan. We'll load at 8:30, go to the wedding at 10:00, then be at the ship at 12:00, and get into Ludington Michigan about 5:00 since we lose an hour into the eastern time zone when we get off the boat. It's hard to believe we only have two more weeks in this trip...I don't think the riders realize that yet, but they will become aware when we get on the other side of the lake. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, not a rest day at all since we still have to pack up and move out, but we'll get through it like we usually do. Our next riding day is 115 miles...I hope I and the riders get some rest on the boat. Be back again when we ride to Mt Pleasant. Have a good day. M

PS: To the employees of The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at California Sea Grant College...Russ says, "Thanks for following the website but now get back to work."

DID I REALLY SAY THAT?:

"Today was magical."

"These cheese curds taste like erasers."

"I think I'll have my McDonald's pre meal."

DID I REALLY DO THAT?:

Must have been something I said.

DID I REALLY SEE THAT?
A perfect shirt for our swap.	It was a popular shirt.
Say it ain't so Steve...you appear to have gone on to the other side.	I'd like to put it off for a bit if St Peter don't mind.
Daco and Colleen modeled the latest in matrimonial wear for out future bride and groom at RAP.	Maybe it looked better on Daco and Colleen, but it does have a bit of pizzazz if you ask me.
Cindy has her two children laminated and she's been carrying them all across the country. She was saddened this morning when she found she had misplaced one of her daughters. " I haven't checked on them in a couple days," she said. "When I checked this morning she was gone. What kind of mother am I...to lose one of her children?" It's OK Cindy, you can get another one at Office Depot.	A day in the life of sweep rider.