Monday July 23 "rest day" Manitowoc to Ludington

and Tues July 24, Ludington to Mount Pleasant 113 mi

Monday July 23 was supposed to be a rest day, short ride to the SS Badger car ferry, leisurely ride across Lake Michigan quick dinner and early to bed.  We left the hotel at 10:00 AM and arrived at the hotel at 9:00 PM. 

Manitowoc Crane Co.

Arrival in MI.  Note the long shadows as sun sets

Happy Endings Ice Cream

 

The ride to the car ferry dock started very nice.  Warm sunny day, rode past Manitowoc Crane, downtown Manitowoc and all was good.  Loading onto the carferry is when it went down hill.  They loaded 2 flatbed trucks with the columns for a windmill base onto the ferry.  Delayed the start of the trip 1 hr.  Unloading delayed everyone another half hour.  We lost an hour to time zone change.  So instead of getting to the hotel at 7:30 with bed by 9:00 we got to the hotel at 9:00 with bed at 10:30. 
Up at 5:00 for a 113 mi ride.  lots of groaning as alarms went off.  2 miles into the ride all was forgotten as we rode down some really nice rural Midwestern roads.  Green pine trees, well kept farms, plenty of sunshine and rolling hills all brought smiles.

It was a very uneventful day = GREAT.  We rode past small lakes just like in northern Wisconsin.  Lunch was at Subway in the town of Big Rapids MI.  Last stop during the ride was at "Happy Endings Ice Cream"  They opened up 45 minutes early just for us.  1 scoop Mint chip and 1 scoop Cherry Chocolate.
Downtown Mount Pleasant really is a pleasant place to visit, not at the end of 113 mi., but, another time.  NO MORE days over 100 miles.  Longest day left is 94 mi and it is the only remaining day over 90 miles.

I now have tan lines in a whole list of places I never did before, Ankle tan lines from socks, thigh tan lines from shorts, wrist tan lines from gloves, tan line from watch, tan lines on my thumbs and index fingers, tan lines on my neck and forehead.  FORTUNATELY no red sunburn thanks to Evonne Winston's and  Mary's constant preaching for a month before I left.  At least 3 layers of sunscreen every day and sleeves have worked very good.
Tomorrow, Wed is a short day only 74 miles

Drive safe and watch for riders on the road.
Sam