Over To Michigan...The Great Lakes State!

Jesus answered and said onto her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life".
                                                                    John 4:13,14

Michigan borders on four of the five Great Lakes and boasts of 3,100+ miles of freshwater shoreline. The only other place on earth that has a larger concentration of freshwater is a remote area in Siberia. If freshwater is essential to supporting life on earth, Michigan's got it!

I boarded the S.S. Badger in Manitowoc after a very welcome visit with my brothers Chris and Tom Jr., Sue and niece Christina. They made the effort to meet me at the SS Badger ferry terminal on their way to Door County (which is at the tip of Wisconsin's northeastern peninsula). The boat carries a variety of cargo (besides people) including cars and trucks between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI. This is a popular route because is significantly shortens the distance between these geographic areas. A drive would take at least twice the time as the 3 hour ferryboat ride. The impressive vessel had live entertainment, a theater, food courts, sleeping quarters as well as spacious decks to enjoy the Lake. That was the best $80 I spent in a long time!

Upon departing the historical ship, I attained a free Michigan map at the Visitor's Center and reanalyzed my itinerary. My first night in Michigan was spent at a local Ludington campground. There, I shared space and stories with cyclists I met on the boat as well as a group of teenage girls I met at camp. 

O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord, who gives you your fill of finest wheat.
                                                                        Psalm 147:12,14

Michigan State Flag

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats of this will live forever.
                                                                                   John 6:51

Sacred Fire from a Point Beach fire pit campground

Family Mug Shot...

The bread that I will give, says the Lord, is my flesh for the life of the world.
                                                                             John 6:51

 Matroness of Lake Michigan...niece Christina

Sunny Daytime Deck of the cruising SS Badger

Leaving Manitowoc Harbor for a 3 hour trip across the Lake

Enjoying the Open Waters of Lake Michigan

Cutting a wake Starboard side

Working a way into Ludington Harbor via SS Badger

Beautiful Ludington, MI beach on a hot summer day

The next day, I was the last one to leave camp but enjoyed the opportunity to meet some new neighbors who treated me to a homemade breakfast! What a life I'm living...great weather, great food, great friends...GREAT TIMES! After enjoying some beautiful Lake Michigan east coastline, I worked my way onto HWY 10 but was discouraged at the volume of traffic. Safety should be the #1 priority for cyclists and I must admit that it was a bit scarey getting on the roads again after such a leisurely stint on Wisconsin's cycling trails

Big Pappy

Big Pappy tending to his Brookfield garden

A river crossing of the Interurban Bike Trail in Cedarbug

A beautiful quite Wisconsin wooded area

Old Glory with the United States Marine flag in tow...Semper Fi...OO RAH!

Country Barn with some Patriotic Spirit...Go for the Olympic GOLD in the Summer Games. Go For It  U.S.A.!

Beautiful Lake Michigan Coastline

Swimmer enjoying the exceptionally warm water with lots of sand

Anglers sporting their catch in Port Washington

                                            
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
                                                                                     John 4:23-24
   

Wisconsin is home to many family members of mine including my Dad. He is a irreplaceable part of my life and words can't express what he is to me . He's my Alpha, Mr. Milwaukee, Mr. Wisconsin, Mr. America, Mr. World, Solar System and Galaxy; Mr. Universe, My Big Dog, The Big Kahuna, Super Nova and Big Bang. I view my life to be a manifestation and continuation of his. He's a ex-marine, "Once A Marine, Always A Marine". Every time I'm in the Milwaukee area I like to make it a point to spend some time with him. On this stay I enjoyed the opportunity to help him with some yard work at his Brookfield home.

In my Father's house are many dwelling places.
                                            John 14:2

After my visits in suburban Milwaukee, I moved northeast toward the Big Shigueme (Lake Michigan) and started working my way up it's coastline. More water has been leaving the Great lakes than being replaced in recent history. I attribute one of those reasons to the opening of the Chicago River. This river flows into the Illinois river that flows into the Mississippi and then, into the Gulf of Mexico. This new project doesn't only increase the rate of water loss in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, but I view it like Chicago's toilet. The fresh Lake water replaces the stagnant polluted waters of Chicagoland.  Because of the lower water levels in the Great Lakes, more coastline is exposed. In Lake Michigan's case, I think this is positive because there is more exposed sand and beach to enjoy.

The Interurban Trail parallels Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin; this trail is linked with a variety of other state trails but, I didn't explore those. The weather has been so hot that it motivated me to find refuge near the Big Lake as quickly as possible. Irregardless; I took advantage of and enjoyed the opportunity to visit some quaint and picturesque Wisconsin coastline. Cedarburg, Port Washington and Manitowoc were some of my favorite stops. I also enjoyed Two Rivers and the Point Beach State Park north of there.

The Marina in Port Washington is home to a fleet of sport fishing vessels that run charter trips. For $600 you can rent a boat with a captain and deckhand and go out until you catch your limit or 6 hours goes by. The folks I met caught their limit and were back in Port about 1 hour early. Oh, the crew cleans your catch too. Lake Michigan is significantly warmer this year compared with it's past averages (probably because there isn't as much water). Therefore; swimming is something that you can do for extended periods...very nice.

Father, I thank you for hearing me; you always hear me.
                                                          John 11:41

A tribute and monument to those who've served as a United States Marine

                                                                         

Into Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Flag

Cousin Patricia and her boy Joey

Lake Michigan's hot sandy shoreline in Kenosha

My cousin 'SPIKE'

 Lee...this guy has done some tours and Barbara Schaefer

Getting ready to roll again at Brookfield's TREK store on Capital Drive...excellent service

Lake Michigan's shorebirds staying cool on a hot summer day
  

But I do as the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
                                                                                             John 14:31

This summer of 2012 has been exceptionally warm according to my standards and I value the opportunity to travel north and stay close to large bodies of water (like Lake Michigan).

One thing I noticed while traveling on the Green Bay bike trail north is that it turned from crushed limestone in Illinois to a paved trail when I crossed into Wisconsin. I've come to understand that Wisconsin taxpayers give a higher percentage of their income to the State compared with most other states. In turn, I hypothesize that the paved bike trails are one of the results of that sacrifice. Thank you Wisconsinites for making your State a higher caliber place to ride for the touring cyclist.

After learning about the death of my mother's brother, I made it a priority to get to the Milwaukee area for the funeral. Although I was sad to lose my uncle Bill, his funeral provided a excellent opportunity to reconnect with cousins and family. 

The folks at thebikeshop 2926 75th St. Kenosha fixed me up with some new cleats for my new biking shoes, so I want to give those guys a plug...good selection and service.

I also want to officially thank the hosts on this leg. Patricia Quesnell and her boy Joey, aunt Joan & uncle Joe Schaefer, Carolyn & Chod Kiker and uncle Lee and Barbara Schaefer. You embellished my Wisconsin experience with quality.

CHICAGO-The Windy City

"The Journey is the reward"
                                Chinese Proverb

Although my time in the Chicago area was not adversely affected by bad weather, I must say that the summer season is in full swing. I'm glad I decided to move north when I did on this tour...no shortage of 80+ degree days in this northern part of America.

I did take advantage of the opportunity to take the train downtown where I spent the day walking around and sightseeing. Millennium Park was the highlight of that day. There is a large curvy sculpture there called "The Cloud", or "The Bean". It was designed by an English artist and is approximately 130' X 60' X 20' high.

Millennium Park Cloud

Fascinating Shape, Size & Perspective

Beautiful day in downtown Chicago

Jeweler's Row inside Chicago's Loop

Afternoon symphony rehearsal in the Park

A fisherman working the Fox River

Dave the Dwagman working his Carpentersville, IL business

The surface is glassy smooth and ultra reflective. You can see distorted images of the downtown skyline, people and the near surroundings from infinite perspectives. What an incredible display of innovation, foresight and concern for the public. I also had the opportunity to experience some free symphony music at the pavilion area. There are permanent seats as well as a overhead awning for sun protection. A very reviving and memorable place to spend some time.

CHICAGO...crossroads of America

Excellent bike trail on Chicago's west side

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.
                                                                                                       Ursula K Le Guin

Chicago, is a city I wanted to spend some time in on this tour and Mrs. DeCola is a women I wanted to interact with. I knew it would be time well spent if I could get to see her.  Mrs DeCola is the mother of a childhood friend of mine named Nick. We were neighbors and graduated from Brookfield Central High School class of 79, we remain friends today. Some things have changed in the 42 years I've known Mrs DeCola, she's moved to IL and I moved to CA. Somethings however; haven't changed, she's still a great cook as well as a very kind woman. I sure enjoyed the great food, hospitality and stories she shared. To me Mrs DeCola is "The Mother of Chicago".

The greatest treasure I found in my attempts to get around this city was the network of off road trails designed for non motorized vehicles. If it wasn't for these trails, my northeastern IL experience wouldn't have been nearly as pleasant. I consider these trails "The Hidden Jewell's Of Chicago". I especially enjoyed the paved Fox River Trail, this urban pedestrian and bike friendly route hugs many miles of the Fox River as it flows on Chicago's west side.

Mrs Toni DeCola, "The Mother of Chicago" and yours truly at her Saint Charles home.

Windmill on the Fox River Trail in Geneva, IL

Crossing the Illinois River into the Chicago area

War Memorial- Warrenville, IL

Traffic flow signs on some Chicagoland trails

Soooo nice to get off the roads and onto these surfaces

Besides having some good biking experiences in Chicago, I enjoyed some gaming at local casinos in Joliet and Elgin, on my northerly trek.

Additionally; I met some very dear new friends and trustworthy folks in this massive urban area. Aspiring author James More was the first of them. He's written 6 books but has had issues marketing them. You can visit his website: www.jamesmorebooks.com to learn more about his life, writings and struggles. By purchasing any of his books, you can show your support for this Southwestern Chicago area native. I also enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of librarian Susan Parsons and avid cyclist Ron Gunner...thanks for extending yourselves to me.