Saturday, September 17, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016
Day 47 Escanaba, MI-Green Bay, WI layover
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Day 47 (rest day): Colorful sunrise in Escanaba while we ate breakfast at the Drifters restaurant. Kevin's bike will be resting on the back of the van for 3 days while I'm in Los Angeles for my niece's wedding. Alan is on his own and will be exploring Escanaba for 3 days. As we drove away from Drifters, we watched Alan walk towards Walmart to get supplies. Seemed a little sad and strange that they aren't riding their bikes. Kevin, Janut and Bob dropped me off at the Green Bay airport (a small airport 2.25 hrs south of Escanaba) then they took off to shop, do laundry, and explore more of Wisconsin for a couple days. It's definitely a small Midwest airport when you see mowers and garden equipment displayed in the terminal as you proceed to the security checkpoint, which was closed because there were no flights going out of concourse A for a few hours (there's only A & B - and I got there early). I bought 8 lbs of Wisconsin cheese curds and sat in the lounge until security checkpoint A opened. I also had a layover in Chicago (delayed because the pilot didn't notice the electrical warning light until 10 minutes before take-off so we had to wait for maintenance. The pilot kept apologizing for not seeing it earlier during his rounds...hmm...that's not very reassuring). We flew over the Grand Canyon, which looked spectacular. It was a 12 hour travel day for me today. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at Tracy's wedding on Saturday! On Sunday, I'll fly back to Green Bay, plus John's flying in from Seattle at the same time. We are all looking forward to having John back. Come Monday morning, Kevin, Alan, and John will be riding east together again. by Jo
Day 47 (rest day): Colorful sunrise in Escanaba while we ate breakfast at the Drifters restaurant. Kevin's bike will be resting on the back of the van for 3 days while I'm in Los Angeles for my niece's wedding. Alan is on his own and will be exploring Escanaba for 3 days. As we drove away from Drifters, we watched Alan walk towards Walmart to get supplies. Seemed a little sad and strange that they aren't riding their bikes. Kevin, Janut and Bob dropped me off at the Green Bay airport (a small airport 2.25 hrs south of Escanaba) then they took off to shop, do laundry, and explore more of Wisconsin for a couple days. It's definitely a small Midwest airport when you see mowers and garden equipment displayed in the terminal as you proceed to the security checkpoint, which was closed because there were no flights going out of concourse A for a few hours (there's only A & B - and I got there early). I bought 8 lbs of Wisconsin cheese curds and sat in the lounge until security checkpoint A opened. I also had a layover in Chicago (delayed because the pilot didn't notice the electrical warning light until 10 minutes before take-off so we had to wait for maintenance. The pilot kept apologizing for not seeing it earlier during his rounds...hmm...that's not very reassuring). We flew over the Grand Canyon, which looked spectacular. It was a 12 hour travel day for me today. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at Tracy's wedding on Saturday! On Sunday, I'll fly back to Green Bay, plus John's flying in from Seattle at the same time. We are all looking forward to having John back. Come Monday morning, Kevin, Alan, and John will be riding east together again. by Jo
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Day 46 - Hardwood to Escanaba
Explorer Link: http://cyclemeter.com/a0571f7a21831ccb/Cycle-20160915-0904
Ride Time: 2:33:47
Stopped Time: 1:29:33
Distance: 38.17 miles
Average: 14.89 mph
Fastest Speed: 28.31 mph
Descent: 497
Calories: 2314
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Ride Time: 2:33:47
Stopped Time: 1:29:33
Distance: 38.17 miles
Average: 14.89 mph
Fastest Speed: 28.31 mph
Descent: 497
Calories: 2314
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Day 46 Hardwood, MI-Escanaba, MI
click here for more photosDay 46: What is the breakfast of champions in Stromberg Park, Hardwood, MI? Pumpkin pie, of course! Short ride day = Short drive day. Not much to see on the back country roads to Escanaba ... we did see an old man with a walker walk across the road to get his mail. He made it to the mail box, but we can't confirm that he made back to the other side. Left the central time zone and entered the eastern time zone. We got to Escanaba at lunchtime and ate butter burgers from Culvers (toasted buns brushed with butter - pretty tasty), and topped it off with a Culvers creamy frozen custard shake. Yum! Escanaba is located on Little Bay de Noc (Lake Michigan), so we drove down the lakeside drive and stopped at the Sand Point Lighthouse to walk around. Unfortunately the lighthouse was closed for renovations so Janut could not get her lighthouse stamp. We had a nice dinner at The Stonehouse & Carport Lounge. Tonight we are relaxing at the Lincoln Host Motor Inn.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Day 45 - Bewabic SP to Hardwood
Explorer Link: http://cyclemeter.com/a0571f7a21831ccb/Cycle-20160914-0909
Ride Time: 3:11:12
Stopped Time: 2:01:16
Distance: 45.42 miles
Average: 14.25 mph
Fastest Speed: 32.03 mph
Ascent: 778
Descent: 1123
Calories: 2568
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Ride Time: 3:11:12
Stopped Time: 2:01:16
Distance: 45.42 miles
Average: 14.25 mph
Fastest Speed: 32.03 mph
Ascent: 778
Descent: 1123
Calories: 2568
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Day 45 Crystal Falls, MI-Hardwood, MI
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Day 45 (Wednesday): Due to inadequate cell phone coverage, Wednesday had to be posted on Thursday. Back to Wednesday. We left Bewabic State Park, and drove to downtown Crystal Falls, MI to shop for groceries and ice. Janut bought us a couple of hot pasties to try something different for lunch. The one with beef, pork, and rutabaga was simply delicious! We have seen Pasty shops all over, so I'm sure our bellies will enjoy them again. We saw a cool old court house that was built in 1890 (historic site). We arrived early in the afternoon at Stromberg Park in Hardwood, MI so we relaxed in the sunshine, I even got a nap. There was a nice sunset on the lake, and I noticed that if I turn one of the sunset pictures sideways it looks like a candle stick. We tried to find a cell connection, the best spot was on a little dock on the lake, but as the sun went down, it got pretty cold (I put on my down coat) and the mosquitoes started to come out, so we ran back to the safety and warmth of the van and I endured the inadequate cell phone coverage by reading
Day 45 (Wednesday): Due to inadequate cell phone coverage, Wednesday had to be posted on Thursday. Back to Wednesday. We left Bewabic State Park, and drove to downtown Crystal Falls, MI to shop for groceries and ice. Janut bought us a couple of hot pasties to try something different for lunch. The one with beef, pork, and rutabaga was simply delicious! We have seen Pasty shops all over, so I'm sure our bellies will enjoy them again. We saw a cool old court house that was built in 1890 (historic site). We arrived early in the afternoon at Stromberg Park in Hardwood, MI so we relaxed in the sunshine, I even got a nap. There was a nice sunset on the lake, and I noticed that if I turn one of the sunset pictures sideways it looks like a candle stick. We tried to find a cell connection, the best spot was on a little dock on the lake, but as the sun went down, it got pretty cold (I put on my down coat) and the mosquitoes started to come out, so we ran back to the safety and warmth of the van and I endured the inadequate cell phone coverage by reading
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Day 44 Conover, WI-Crystal Falls, MI
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Day 44: After Kevin and Alan took off from the Buckatabon Lodge / Lighthouse Inn in Conover, WI, Janut and I walked down to the lake to check out the lighthouse. We asked an employee where the lighthouse was and she pointed "over there", Janut looked but could not see it and said "where?", and the girl pointed again "just over there". OMG, when we saw it, we couldn't stop laughing. We were expecting a big lighthouse, what we got was a Kmart munchkin lighthouse! What a rip off! When I was walking Bob, I had seen a sign that said "Bauer's Dam", so we decided to follow the signs and check it out. What a riot, the dam was shorter than the sprinter van! We drove into Phelps, WI, and saw scarecrows all through town (women's club scarecrow fest - see separate slideshow). We enjoyed lunch on the chilly shores of Kentuck Lake, WI (not Kentucky!). We crossed the Brule River and entered Michigan. We stopped in Iron River, MI, for groceries and Janut found Trenary Toast. It's a cross between biscotti and cinnamon toast, Michigan's Upper Peninsula favorite since 1930! Sweet dry and crunchy, it will be good in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. Our camp site tonight is in the Bewabic State Park, MI (a 4.5 minute walk to the showers/flush toilets and a 1 minute walk to the pit toilet). Tasty dinner...ham steak, microwave baked potatoes, sautéed polenta, and frozen veggies. Janut topped it off with pumpkin pie and whipped cream! by Jo
Day 44: After Kevin and Alan took off from the Buckatabon Lodge / Lighthouse Inn in Conover, WI, Janut and I walked down to the lake to check out the lighthouse. We asked an employee where the lighthouse was and she pointed "over there", Janut looked but could not see it and said "where?", and the girl pointed again "just over there". OMG, when we saw it, we couldn't stop laughing. We were expecting a big lighthouse, what we got was a Kmart munchkin lighthouse! What a rip off! When I was walking Bob, I had seen a sign that said "Bauer's Dam", so we decided to follow the signs and check it out. What a riot, the dam was shorter than the sprinter van! We drove into Phelps, WI, and saw scarecrows all through town (women's club scarecrow fest - see separate slideshow). We enjoyed lunch on the chilly shores of Kentuck Lake, WI (not Kentucky!). We crossed the Brule River and entered Michigan. We stopped in Iron River, MI, for groceries and Janut found Trenary Toast. It's a cross between biscotti and cinnamon toast, Michigan's Upper Peninsula favorite since 1930! Sweet dry and crunchy, it will be good in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. Our camp site tonight is in the Bewabic State Park, MI (a 4.5 minute walk to the showers/flush toilets and a 1 minute walk to the pit toilet). Tasty dinner...ham steak, microwave baked potatoes, sautéed polenta, and frozen veggies. Janut topped it off with pumpkin pie and whipped cream! by Jo
Day 44 - Conover WI to Bewabic SP MI
Explorer Link: http://cyclemeter.com/a0571f7a21831ccb/Cycle-20160913-0840
Ride Time: 4:43:46
Stopped Time: 2:35:18
Distance: 66.30 miles
Average: 14.02 mph
Fastest Speed: 37.76 mph
Ascent: 1428
Descent: 1721
Calories: 3705
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Ride Time: 4:43:46
Stopped Time: 2:35:18
Distance: 66.30 miles
Average: 14.02 mph
Fastest Speed: 37.76 mph
Ascent: 1428
Descent: 1721
Calories: 3705
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Monday, September 12, 2016
Day 43 Mercer, WI-Conover, WI
Click here for more photos
Jo: Beautiful sunrise at the Loon Lagoon in Mercer, WI. After the guy's
morning chores (Alan took out the trash and Kevin washed the coffee pot)
they took off for Conover, WI. Then Janut made sure the rack was
secure, secured the electrical cord, filled the water bottles, and
walked the Bob dog. I swept the floors, beat the rugs, dusted, bushed
some of the dog hair off the seats, and cleaned Bob's water dish. It
was a short ride day, so Janut, Bob and I didn't have much
time to sightsee. We saw a 16 foot loon (Mercer, WI, is the loon
capital - the red eyes are for seeing under water, and they can fly up
to 80 mph), bought more ice, ate PBJ sandwiches on soft fresh Italian
white bread (mmm, fresh soft bread...funny how the small things in life
can make you so happy), and stopped at the forest service office to see
the first smokey the bear head. We were bummed because the office is
closed on Mondays...but as we walked away a forest service guy came out
and asked Janut if we needed any help..."uh, we just wanted to see the
first smokey the bear head" ... he smiled and invited us in! I had no
idea it was made from a real bear head! It was kind of creepy looking.
Not much else to see as we drove along the country roads...we did see a
giant dart, a lady get her mail, and a bug on the side window hanging
on for dear life for about 2 minutes. We detoured thru the Star Lake
campgrounds and really liked the lake side camp sites in the west
campgrounds...we really liked one site (see picture), but we had to move
on to a campground with showers for the sweaty bikers! We saw Kevin
and Alan coming out of the Burnt Bridge Tavern, and drove beside them to
our destination for the evening, the Buckatabon Lodge and Lighthouse
Inn in Conover, WI...looks like an old holiday/vacation trailer
park...but they have showers! For dinner, chef Kevin made Knorr pasta
in Alfredo sauce, grill master Alan grilled juicy pork chops, and I
pushed some microwave buttons to heat up chopped broccoli. I did my
daily shoulder exercises outside. Another day's gone.
Day 43 - Mercer to Conover
Explorer Link: http://cyclemeter.com/a0571f7a21831ccb/Cycle-20160912-0823
Ride Time: 3:39:15
Stopped Time: 2:57:14
Distance: 52.96 miles
Average: 14.49 mph
Fastest Speed: 27.70 mph
Ascent: 393
Descent: 257
Calories: 3207
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Ride Time: 3:39:15
Stopped Time: 2:57:14
Distance: 52.96 miles
Average: 14.49 mph
Fastest Speed: 27.70 mph
Ascent: 393
Descent: 257
Calories: 3207
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Day 42 Glidden, WI-Mercer, WI
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Day 42 (9-11-2016 morning and afternoon): In Glidden, WI, we had the entire Marion Park campground to ourselves ... so nice. The six sided Marion Pavilion was constructed in 1938, and is quite impressive. Alan dressed nice and warm for the chilly morning. After Kevin and Alan rode off for Mercer, WI, Janut, Bob and I walked around the town of Glidden. We saw the Great Walls of Glidden, three wall murals dedicated to the men and women from Glidden who served our country during war and peace. Behind a glass display was a 7 foot 10 inch 665 lb dressed world record black bear, which took 7 men to pull it out of the woods in 1963. Along the highway was a fire engine with a 9-11 memorial. We drove to Park Falls, WI (a paper mill town) and had lunch at The Pal Cafe, where I found a hair in my grilled cheese sandwich, yuk! We walked the streets of old downtown Park Falls where there were murals of townsfolk from the past and current. There's a statue of an eagle honoring "Old Abe", an eagle that became the mascot for Company C of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry in 1861 (Civil War). Old Abe was carried on a special standard to the left of the colors and is credited with 22 battles and 30 skirmishes. We saw another 9-11 memorial. Along the highway we came across a funky corrugated metal man brandishing a rifle. We also saw a cut out of a guy on a bicycle. Then we took a detour to Manitowish Waters, WI to see the "Little Bohemia" restaurant where an epic 1934 shootout took place with John Dillinger and the FBI (Dillinger got away), you can still see the original bullet holes in the back windows and wood paneling. It was also the location for some scenes in the film Public Enemies with Johnny Depp, the second floor's bullet ridden rooms and a bath room were used in the film and are behind glass and can be viewed for a small fee (like a Hollywood movie museum). Janut just walked upstairs like she owned it and then texted me to come up, so I did! We viewed the second floor for free! I walked by the bar and went into the back room and took pictures of the original bullet holes in the Windows and wood paneling. When I came out of the back room some old guy at the bar asked me if I wanted a job to work there. In the parking lot we prepared lasagna in the slow cooker, pushed the button for 3 hours, and drove off to meet Kevin and Alan at the Loon Lagoon Campground and RV Park in Mercer, WI. By Jo takeyama
Day 42 (9-11-2016 morning and afternoon): In Glidden, WI, we had the entire Marion Park campground to ourselves ... so nice. The six sided Marion Pavilion was constructed in 1938, and is quite impressive. Alan dressed nice and warm for the chilly morning. After Kevin and Alan rode off for Mercer, WI, Janut, Bob and I walked around the town of Glidden. We saw the Great Walls of Glidden, three wall murals dedicated to the men and women from Glidden who served our country during war and peace. Behind a glass display was a 7 foot 10 inch 665 lb dressed world record black bear, which took 7 men to pull it out of the woods in 1963. Along the highway was a fire engine with a 9-11 memorial. We drove to Park Falls, WI (a paper mill town) and had lunch at The Pal Cafe, where I found a hair in my grilled cheese sandwich, yuk! We walked the streets of old downtown Park Falls where there were murals of townsfolk from the past and current. There's a statue of an eagle honoring "Old Abe", an eagle that became the mascot for Company C of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry in 1861 (Civil War). Old Abe was carried on a special standard to the left of the colors and is credited with 22 battles and 30 skirmishes. We saw another 9-11 memorial. Along the highway we came across a funky corrugated metal man brandishing a rifle. We also saw a cut out of a guy on a bicycle. Then we took a detour to Manitowish Waters, WI to see the "Little Bohemia" restaurant where an epic 1934 shootout took place with John Dillinger and the FBI (Dillinger got away), you can still see the original bullet holes in the back windows and wood paneling. It was also the location for some scenes in the film Public Enemies with Johnny Depp, the second floor's bullet ridden rooms and a bath room were used in the film and are behind glass and can be viewed for a small fee (like a Hollywood movie museum). Janut just walked upstairs like she owned it and then texted me to come up, so I did! We viewed the second floor for free! I walked by the bar and went into the back room and took pictures of the original bullet holes in the Windows and wood paneling. When I came out of the back room some old guy at the bar asked me if I wanted a job to work there. In the parking lot we prepared lasagna in the slow cooker, pushed the button for 3 hours, and drove off to meet Kevin and Alan at the Loon Lagoon Campground and RV Park in Mercer, WI. By Jo takeyama
Day 42 - Glidden to Mercer
Explorer Link: http://cyclemeter.com/a0571f7a21831ccb/Cycle-20160911-0902
Ride Time: 2:50:28
Stopped Time: 1:22:59
Distance: 41.44 miles
Average: 14.59 mph
Fastest Speed: 32.64 mph
Ascent: 439
Descent: 406
Calories: 2473
http://www.cyclemeter.com
Ride Time: 2:50:28
Stopped Time: 1:22:59
Distance: 41.44 miles
Average: 14.59 mph
Fastest Speed: 32.64 mph
Ascent: 439
Descent: 406
Calories: 2473
http://www.cyclemeter.com
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