Category: Touring

August 24, 2025

Pymatuning Lake, this morning, has captured the sun as I sip coffee. This might be my last look across this lake, it will be for this year. I take it in as I finish my cup and get ready to pack the gear. We will soon be heading to Letchworth State Park.

We have settled into our chairs. All has been set up and it’s time to relax. We are planning the days ahead. There is so much to see. Tomorrow we begin exploring.

August 25, 2026

Rested, fed, and ready to go. The day is cool and gray clouds fill the sky. We drove to the parking lot for the start of Trail One. We begin our hike along the rim of the canyon overlooking the Genesee River.

We stopped at Great Bend Overlook.

A man comes to see the view. We visit and find out that he is staying at the Glen Iris Inn in this Park. John offers to give us a ride back to our car.

We drive to Lower Falls and hike down to the Falls.

We have lunch at the Falls before heading back to our campsite.

August 26, 2025

Today we drive to the parking lot and hike to Middle Falls. I remember Letchworth State Park from my racing days. QuadZilla, a four hundred and fifteen mile race around all the Finger Lakes, looped through this Park. Of the three waterfalls, the Middle Falls was my favorite. There is a rainbow at the bottom of the Falls when the sun shines through the mist.

This trail ends on top of the hill under the train trestle. We climb the steps and begin Trail Two. This hike follows abandoned roads.

We followed a road that brought us under the train track that crosses the Genesee River at the Upper Falls.

The road brings us to the house of Mary Jemison and the monument over her grave.

This is the site of the Iroquois Council.

We get back to the car and have lunch at the food cafe. It’s now time to drive back to the campsite and relax.

August 22, 2025

After a long drive across Ohio we made it to Pymatuning Lake. We are in Ohio at the Pennsylvania border that is the center of this lake.

August 23, 2026

We hike a trail along the lakeshore.

Resting up for tomorrow’s drive.

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.