Friday, July 15, 2016

82: Life is just a bowl of cherries

We were not far into Michigan before we saw the first soybean fields. So there you go - Michigan is also in the soybean business! And we've seen wheat, and some corn. But at least this corn looks to me like it might be sweet corn. At least, it is growing in smaller patches, and it's not so closely planted. I am hopeful that we will be able to eat some before our trip is over. Perhaps we will land in New York when the corn is in season!
Fabulous fresh cherries!

Cherry orchards

We quickly left those crops behind and entered the land of cherry and apple orchards.  Oh, my! Are the cherries good! We got some from a farm stand and ate them during the day like sport gels. I am sure they helped us get through the day.

Scott with one of his latest builds
One very special stop was at the factory of Scott Quiring, who manufactures bikes. He and Christina are avid bikers themselves, and were gracious enough to give us a tour of the facility. I suspect that Roger will be thinking of those fat tires when we return home and starting to dream of designing another tandem for us!

Roger in the workshop

Christina handles ordering, specs, and billing
Having crossed into the eastern time zone, it finally feels like we are really far from home. People we meet here are saying, "Wow! That's a long way!" We had some of that before, but it seems that crossing into EDT has really ramped it up. Ron was one such fellow, who came outside to take a look at the bike. He "rides his age" each year on his birthday, and is up to 80 miles.  Keep pedaling, Ron!
Ron is fit at 80
Z, her son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Ed at the bar




We stayed in a great little inn in Beulah on Crystal Lake, the Cold Creek Inn. It's got everything you need - a bar, restaurant, and High Def TV with the Tour de France channel! We sat at the bar and had a great dinner: whitefish, quinoa, and vegetables! Yes, vegetables! Finally! And Ed "bought" us a drink - our first time for that - as we chatted with the family and watched the finish of the Tour.  What a great day!

The day's report: Ludington to Beulah, 70.7 miles/4078 to date

4 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have found your traveling rythem. Could this turn into around the world on a tandem? Really enjoy your carefree lifestyle. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, my goodness, NO! Once we make the turn, I believe we are headed for home, and will not overshoot it!

      Delete
    2. Oh, my goodness, NO! Once we make the turn, I believe we are headed for home, and will not overshoot it!

      Delete
  2. Sounds like you have found your traveling rythem. Could this turn into around the world on a tandem? Really enjoy your carefree lifestyle. Cheers

    ReplyDelete

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