Well, it was still raining in the
morning. Worst yet, it rained for three more days. Each day was worse than the preceding
day, as the "miserability index" climbed to 123, then 134, then 146. I wimped
out and stayed in motels in Battle Creek and Grand Rapids on May 22 and 23. On Monday the
24th, I changed plans (regarding heading west to Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lake Shore) and decided to go straight north to Traverse City. I spent the night in
Baldwin, Michigan and could see a definite change in life style from yesterday’s
Grand Rapids. Somewhere around Newaygo, the pace of life slowed, the care for an
individual (a stranger in their midst) showed, the population decreased dramatically and
the scenery, even through the raindrops, was much nicer. On my way into town, I passed a
Shell Station/Convenience Store that had "Welcome Biker" on its sign. Now I know
there is some kind of statewide bike rally upcoming, but it was written in the singular,
so I felt special. I stopped at Alexander’s Restaurant for lunch. "Just Good
Home Cooking", the sign said. I had chicken and dumplings – really hit the spot.
The sign across the street said 43 degrees at 12:45pm, and the wind was blowing about 20
mph.
In Baldwin, I
stopped at a Ivan’s Cabins and Campground thinking I would push on further, but
knowing that I might not want to after dinner, to inquire on the availability and cost of
a site. The owner said $8, but if I decided to come back, just put $5 through the slot in
the door. Also, I could set up my tent under their pavilion if I wanted to. After a good
spaghetti dinner at the Main Stream Café, I came back to Ivan’s for the night. which
is very nice except for the hills getting back to the campground). That night I listened
to rain on the tent top (actually the rain fly), which is a very pleasant sound - unless
you think about breaking camp and riding in the morning.
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
