Day 15

Thunderstorms in the night. I saw many flashes, but slept through the rain. In the morning I packed up as usual, and my neighbor in the campground watched as I turned an elaborate set-up into a compact rig on a bike. He came over and aptly said "You've got it down to a science." I said yes proudly, "It's a very efficient system." His name was Stick, at least that's what they called him. Him and his wife were in Bay City for the annual Carp-off, a fishing competition on the island in the Saginaw River, which they come for every year. Some years ago after it had just begun, his wife was crowned "Queen of the Carp" two years in a row for catching the biggest Carp of the day. One year, it was a 46-pounder, a record. So in one sentance, the Queen of the Carp caught the biggest Carp ever caught in a Carp-off (now that's a tongue-twister...)

The park ranger tried to convince me to stay longer in Michigan. I don't blame her, it's a beautiful state, and there's still more I want to see, but I've got to get home eventually.

I took it slow out of the city and into Midland, where I got a bagel and used some wifi to take care of some business-y stuff. Suddenly it was 1pm and I'd only gone 15 miles. Time to hit the road.

From Midland to Clare I rode the Pere Marquette Trail, some 35 miles of well-paved bike path. A true joy.

As I rode, another cyclist came up beside and we chatted for a while as we zipped down the track. His name was Mike.  He'd lived in Midland more than 30 years. Nice guy.

After North Bradley the path emptied. In Coleman I stopped to put somethong in the mail and eat some hummus and carrots in a pea patch.

In Clare, I realized I'd moves into Irish-Michigan. They were flaunting thier decendence with pride with a big green clover on the water tower.

I splurged on a donought at the Cop Shop, a fine bakery with lots of law enforcement memorabilia. Met a couple nice folks in the shop there and on the street outside, all willing to talk and curious about my ride so far.

Finally rode up and out of the plains and back into the hills up towards lake George. A nice change.

Day's end found me at the Lake George Campground where I met Roxanne, a kind lady who had just bought the campground this February. She had a bavy girk in March and was checking up on things with baby in stroller when I rolled in. She found me a nice shady spot and even cooked me up and burger and brought it to me with a soda pop and bag of chips. Needless to say it was tremendous. Ate it up so fast didn't get a chance take a photo. A warm shower put me to bed real fast.