Author: russloomis

August 18, 2025

After settling in we walk to the beach.

August 19, 2025

This is our last day in Holland, Michigan. We have so much that we would like to do and places to hike. There is a trail from the Park that loops up Mount Pisgah, chuckle, a two hundred foot hump of sand. The stairway to the top does not allow dogs and Moe hikes with us. The trail twists and turns crossing a few roads as we gain elevation. We see deer and plenty of fungi.

Reaching the top of the trail we discover that the path to the summit is closed to prevent erosion. We have come too close to not see the view. We carry Moe on the boardwalk and up the final steeps to the lookout.

Last night Corey sent a text letting me know that the local bike shop,Velo City, in Holland has a group ride tonight at 6:30. I toy with this thinking it would be fun but by the time we got back from the hike it’s an hour before the ride. We were hungry and dinner at Big Lake Brewery seemed a better option.

After a great meal and sampling beer we go back to the campsite with a mixed four pack.

Our camp neighbors, Ron and Shelley, were building a fire and invited us to join them.

August 20, 2025

Corey recommended a great place for breakfast a few miles away. This morning we headed there for breakfast. De’ Boers is a Dutch restaurant and bakery with outside seating. I ordered the New Amsterdam omelette that is stuffed with bacon, avocado, cherry tomato, and cheddar. The orange juice was hand squeezed, the bread was baked in their ovens. This was the best omelette that I have ever eaten. And, Moe was offered a bite of bacon from a woman seated next to us.

Back at the campsite we hitch to the camper. We say goodbye to Ron and Shelley.

We are off on a four hour journey to our next campground on Lake Erie, East Harbor State Park in Port Clinton, Ohio.

August 21, 2025

With cool gray skies on Lake Erie this morning we began hiking along the channel to Lake Erie.

August 15, 2025

We walk to the Channel to watch a ship enter Lake Michigan.

Today we have a ninety minute drive to Hudsonville, Michigan. It is an exciting day. On my 2022 tour I rode to the Spoken’n Hostel in Mitchell, Oregon. I was greeted by three cyclists that were also staying the night. Corey, Mark, and John were also finishing up the TransAm. Later we walked into town for dinner at a brewery, and we became friends.

The next morning they set out ahead of me. Days later I began my climb over McKenzie Pass, my last climb over the Cascades. I was on my way to McKenzie Bridge to Nancy’s campground. I saw Corey walking to a store next to the campground. They were staying in the same campground.

Today, three years later, I will get to see Corey again. Corey and his wife Lynn have invited us to come stay with them.

The next day we hiked one of their favorite trails along the Grand River.

August 17, 2025

Corey offered to ride with me to Holland State Park where we are camping. We will explore the area for four days before we head east.

August 10, 2025

A short drive to Muskegon with a stop in Whitehall for lunch at Pekadill’s. This sandwich cafe has a nice yard for eating where Moe could join us. We both ordered BLT sandwiches and I had a strawberry milkshake. Moe enjoyed bacon handed under the table. With less than ten miles to Muskegon Channel State Park we arrived late afternoon in the heat of the day. Our site is open without shade. We are basically on a sand dune so it’s hot and very desert-like. We setup the camper and then the screen tent, hoping for a bit of shade. The sun is setting so it’s low and shining into the tent. I hung a tarp on the west side and this, at least for the moment, blocks the sun. We hid in its shadow.

In the morning we go outside and discuss breakfast options while rehanging the tarp on the east side. We decided to go to Muskegon for brunch.

It is a bit cooler than yesterday. We walked the trail along the Channel.

Back at camp we settle in as the sun hides behind the treeline.

August 11, 2025

It is my son, Garrett’s, birthday. I wish him a very happy day. Thirty-six years have slipped by, time to remember those years.

It’s hot, we feel lazy. We walked around the park and visited some people along the way. We drove into Muskegon to Norm’s Ice Cream.

August 12, 2025

It rained last night. This morning it is raining with thunder and lightning. We wait out the storm under the screen tent while having breakfast.

The sun takes over, the rain stops. We have a two hour window before the next storm. We head out to hike some trails.

The sand dunes.

In the woods.

Along the shore of Muskegon Lake.

The rain is back! And, we are back at camp.

August 9, 2025

Breakfast today, bacon and eggs, with Elbow Room coffee. Relaxing in our chairs and getting up to move them continually into the moving  bits of shade we decided to get into the car and drive to Linington State Park. We then walked the trail to the lighthouse. The trail was in spots packed and easy walking. A few sections were soft fine beach sand. This was a hot walk through the dunes. The walk in campsites are nestled into the pine forest.

We saw a large deer eating grass not far off the trail. Moe was hot and tired so I carried him until we found shade to rest under. The short break and cups of water brought back enough energy to finish the hike.

Reese’s Peanut Butter cups with cold drinks at the lighthouse were consumed in the shade. Moe gladly licked the peanut butter off our fingers.

We stopped for ice cream on the way back to camp.

August 6, 2025

Last night was cool with a dry breeze. I slept well and woke refreshed from the long climbs getting here.  This morning the breeze was strong and cool so the tent was dry. This made it easy packing everything into the panniers. I also didn’t feel rushed so the morning coffee was enjoyed while sitting in my chair.

Leaving was also relaxed, no ticking clock rushing me out onto the road. I stopped to visit people I passed, one is a Warmshowers Host in Ludington.

The roads on this day were very ordinary. Scenery like I’m so used to seeing.

Until, I pass a small farm stand selling fresh cut flowers with a man working in a garden. This made me commit to buying some Gladiolas. I turned around and rode into the driveway. I bought three stems and then mounted them onto my panniers for the fifteen mile ride to Cartier City Campground.

Nancy was surprised by the gift of flowers. I was surprised that they made the trip with only one lost petal.

Cartier City Campground, the camping Suburbia.

I will stay here a few days hiking the trails and seeing the sites in Ludington. Nancy is feeling much better, some pain while moving.  She is eager to walk the trails. Moe is always ready for new sniffs.

August 5, 2025

I found out last night that Nancy has been in a lot of pain and breathing was painful. She decided to go to Urgent Care in Ludington. She is staying at the campground there. Turns out that she broke two ribs when she fell while packing up as we were leaving Brevoort Lake.

This morning I thought that I would attempt riding the two day distance today. This would be close to eighty miles. I also kept the thought of seeing how I felt when I got to Orchard Beach. After Orchard Beach there are no options for camping until Ludington.

Once on the road I felt good about riding the full distance to Nancy’s campsite. I rode into Frankfort with a good pace and easy effort. I stopped at an A&W for a breakfast sandwich and strawberry milkshake.

I began riding fueled and confident of riding into Ludington before 8:00 PM. Within less than two miles I began to question this hopeful feat. I was climbing a steep hill that crested one mile later. Damn where did this come from? Then another followed by six more. Eight long hard climbs in the hot sun and I am only half way to Ludington.

When I got to Orchard Beach I rode into the campground and registered for a site. I called Nancy to tell her that I would not be there tonight.

There is a cool breeze with the sounds of waves. I hope to sleep well tonight.

Sunset over Lake Michigan.

I planned to leave around 9:00 this morning. I had booked one of the two last sites at Platte River National Park. It is waiting for me forty six miles away.

To my surprise today’s breakfast is buckwheat waffles, fruits and berries, sausage and whipped cream. And of course coffee and juice

Now I’m all packed up and ready to roll on down the road.

I rode by the last two houses on this street, I’m now back on my route heading south.

Shortly I entered Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Here the dunes are two hundred feet high and block Lake Michigan from view.

Most of my ride is through farmland and forest.

I get to the park and register. I have a walk-in site about three hundred feet from the parking spaces and the bathroom/showers. With camp set up. I ride back to the road and picked up dinner at a near by store.

The end of the day.

August 3, 2025

I rode out of town on busy Route 31(US Bike RT 35). The shoulder is wide and the traffic is busy for a Sunday morning. A few miles up the road I turn left to stay on US Bike Route 35. If you travel on a bicycle you know that there is a network of bicycle friendly roads across the country. These roads are strung together and given a US Bike Route number. Most intersections have this signage posted making it easier to travel on bike friendly roads. If you follow a US Bike Route you may be on a State Highway with a wide shoulder, a small country road, or a bike path.

I am now off the busy road and riding through farmlands and forest. I’m rolling up and down hills without the sound of steady traffic.

This back road ends onto another busy State Road. This time I crossed it after a long wait for the traffic to break. I speed across in the opened window to the opposite shoulder to a Trailhead of the T.A.R.P Trail. I will follow this trail all the way to Suttons Bay thirty miles away.

An ice cream shop is open, I stop for a milkshake. From here I cruise into Traverse City along the City Beach.

Once more I am back in the country.

I stop at an intersection to photograph a carved statue.

Dan coasts over and stops to talk. He is interested in touring and feels like he need a push to begin. We talk awhile and I share my experiences and stories with him. He is out for a ride, he lives near by and knows the area so he offered to ride with me and guide me to my Warmshowers house.

After I arrive we talk a bit more, he is anxious to get home and follow our tours.

I try a local beer offered by Pete I head to the shower while he begins preparing our dinner, pasta with fresh vegetables, sauce and local sausage.

While setting up the poles for the tent a section broke. So I had to take the pole apart to put the repart piece in place.

This morning my day began with brewing coffee, Elbow Room, from beans I carry with me while on tour. After a nice breakfast of hard boiled eggs and oatmeal I begin breaking camp and packing panniers. Last night I was unable to find a place to camp in a fifty mile range. So I opted to head to a State Park twenty-five miles from here.

After all was set to go I took a walk to the beach.

Ten miles from the chosen State Park I got an email from a Warmshowers Host accepting my request.

This just added another forty-five miles to my day.

I arrived about 6:30 PM, dinner was about to be served. After we ate I showered and settled in. Tonight is Harbor Days, fireworks will start at ten.

The show.

July 30, 2025

An option to get to Mackinaw City by bike was to ferry to Mackinac Island and then ferry over to the city. Or, Nancy could bring me over the bridge so I could get back on route. The island looked like an interesting place to visit so I suggested that we both ferry to the island and then return to our campsite and tomorrow ride with Nancy over the bridge.

We booked a ferry to check out Mackinac Island. This thirty minute ride gave us a voyage across the water. Moe was a bit unsure at first, this was only his second ferry ride. His first was in 2022 in the State of Washington.

Touring the island by foot is the only way to get around except by bicycle or horse. Cars are not allowed on this island. It was a wonderful feeling to walk the streets and get the sense of life pre-automobile.

Arched Rock

Back at the campground and ready for bed, tomorrow we pack up and continue our tour down the east shore of Lake Michigan.

July 31, 2025

We leave at noon for St. Ignace and the bridge that will take us to Mackinaw City. I have a campsite reserved at Wilderness State Park, six miles out of the city.

I unload and settle into my site, Nancy drove off to her Campground on Otsego Lake.

Early evening Troy, a bike tourist, rides up to my site. He is also camping here a few sites away. Later I walk to his site and we visit until sunset. He has ridden this area a few times and suggested places to camp and interesting places to visit.

The sunset.

The moon.

August 1, 2025

This morning I was not in a hurry. Good thing.  As I was breaking camp and packing up people stopped by to ask about my tour. One at a time I talked extensively about how I started touring, my history cycling, and describing many benefits of seeing the country on back roads at ten miles per hour. I did finally click in to kick off for another day on the road.

I rode by a section of sand dunes that are high enough to block the lake. Back in camp a Park Ranger stopped to see if I was riding through the “sand dunes” and the “tunnel of trees”.

The Sand Dunes

The Tunnel of Trees

Riding through nice small towns.

I rode into Petoskey State Park around 5:00PM. Michigan is one of the States that will guarantee any cyclist riding through a site to camp the night when there is no vacancy. The State saves a sites only for this purpose.

I am now showered, fed, and resting.