TODAY'S TALES:  Today we rode in our 7th state...Michigan.  Welcome to the EAST!!!  We arrived yesterday and as far as we could tell, someone forgot to tell Michigan it was summer.  It was pretty cool when we got off the ferry in the afternoon.  I think I've said it several times before, it's been a pretty cool crossing so far...and it didn't change here.

For a day off yesterday, we were pretty busy.  In the middle of the day we had a boat ride across Lake Michigan and a short bike ride on either end.  The morning started out pretty laid back...we didn't load until 9:00 and that gave the riders 3 hours to get to the boat about 3 miles from the motel.  Most of them can handle that pace by now we figured.  After the boat docked 4 hours later in Ludington, they had another 3 or 4 miles to the motel with only about 3 hours of daylight remaining.  Even after taking a little time to get their land legs back, everyone was able to cover the distance easily.  Kidding aside, we needed a rest day to get ready for today...113 miles into Michigan.

We're back in the routine this morning, albeit a little groggy after entering the eastern time zone...my worst zone for some reason.  It was an early rise this morning as we tackled our last triple digit day.  It was really hard to get out of bed, but duty called...we aren't getting any closer to Portsmouth sitting here.

It was a peaceful morning with cows enjoying their morning graze and meadowlarks singing in the fields as we passed by.  Every once in a while, the sweet aroma of honey suckle would permeate the cool morning air.  It was a nice change from the familiar odor of dairy farms that would make the riders hold their breath until they either turned green or was able to get up wind.  I lived on a dairy farm when I was a kid and I went to school right after cleaning the manure out of the barns.  Never could figure why no one wanted to sit too close to me in class...hmmm.  The farms on today's route were much smaller than the ones we saw in Wisconsin and although you see small plots of corn and soybeans, many can't compete in the big markets so they grow things like squash, pumpkins, asparagus, beans, sugar beets, and cucumbers.  Also, if we weren't riding along small farms, many of the roads were tree lined like the roads in the south where you can't see anything but the road your on and the trees.  It did provide shade for our morning departure to the delight of most everyone.

We hit the weather pretty good here although we in a threat for thunderstorms pretty much all day...no rain though.  We had a black cloud or two sneak up behind us but they just went on by.  The temperature was a bit cooler than we've been having and I think most of the riders are in agreement...they like cool and wet better than hot and humid...not to mention the great tail wind we had today.  With nice weather we also had pretty rural roads except for a short stretch just before the second SAG.  Most of the roads were quiet with little traffic, but when it did come, it was pretty fast. 

There's always a down side to riding in such rural areas...there weren't many facilities for our SAG stops.  It was almost as bad as when we were in the desert except we didn't have to deal with the sand.  Our first SAG was at a cross roads with a small abandoned cabin being the only building in sight.  Somehow we had to designate the "lady's room" from the "men's room," but before we could put up signs, the riders had already sorted it all out.  There should be some sweet asparagus from that field...well, where did you think the Green Giant went number 1?

I spent the late afternoon leapfrogging the riders until they got into town.  Deb in the silver van was sharing "rider watch" duties after she broke down the last SAG.  We got everyone in before 5:00 PM...not bad for a century plus.  With the late finish, we worked shuttles to dinner, set up mechanics, and delayed RAP until tomorrow morning to give us a chance to get some rest after a long day...besides, our body time needs time to adjust to the eastern zone...at least mine does.

Tomorrow we have a shorter day...it will be nice to have some mileages under 90 again.  We only have 2 weeks to go...it's going to go fast from here.  As always, we've made many new friends and hate to see the ride end.  I think the riders will soon realize that too.  See you tomorrow.

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