Welcome to Michigan!...It's all WEST from here!

Greetings from Wyoming, MI!! We're just outside Grand Rapids at my Aunt Jan and Uncle Don's house. Their daughter Heather is here, too. In the next 24 hours my cousin Becka and her husband Jordan, my parents and my brother and his family will all arrive. We are so excited!



Today we just rolled 2800 miles! Wahoo!

After leaving Wausau on Saturday morning, we rode to Apple Creek campground outside of Wrightstown, WI. It was 112 miles. Long day, but lovely weather and not too hilly. We spent the first 50 miles on the MountainBay biking and hiking trail which goes from Rib Mountain near Wausau to Green Bay. It is a packed rock trail, so although it wasn't paved it was a very enjoyable ride. Thanks to the Sanford crew for that recommendation!





After we got off the trail we met a local recumbent cyclist who let Scott give it a try. I don't think he's a convert quite yet... sorry dad ;)











Sunday morning we rode to Manitowoc to catch the S.S. Badger carferry across Lake Michigan. On the way there we had to take a detour because they were doing a little road work...too bad our tandem doesn't come with a flotation device.








We were very excited to go on the ferry. We loaded our bike and enjoyed the 4.5 hour ride across the lake. After arriving in Ludington, MI we got some dinner and then rode to the house of Jerry Svendor who is my (let me see if I can get this right) great-grandmother's sister's grandson, or my second cousin once removed. Jerry gave us a lovely tour of his home and forested property and an unforgettable experience in his hand-built sauna. Thank you Jerry and congratulations on retirement and your cross-country motorcycle adventure!

Yesterday we rode from Ludington to White Cloud where we stayed in their very nice city park. At the cafe where we stopped for lunch we met a family (from Deerfield, IL about 10 minutes from where Scott's dad lives) who was interested in what we are doing and gave a donation to Thirst Relief. We continue to be amazed at the generosity and interest people show to us and the cause. We got lots of rest in White Cloud so we would be ready to spend time partying and reconnecting with family here.

When we were about 10 miles out we stopped for a break and a news car pulled up behind us. Our uncle Don had contacted to local TV stations and a local radio station to publicize our adventure and the cause. They followed us the rest of the way in and got some footage of us riding. Then we spent the early afternoon interviewing. ABC-WZZM 13 TV, WXMI-TV Fox-17, WGVU- NPR. Hopefully we'll have some links up soon. The interviewing is almost as tiring as riding...I hope we represented the cause well and people are inspired to contribute. The news pieces should all be on this evening.


We are very excited to be here and have time to relax and spend with family. We have a break for the next six days to see various family members around Michigan. This break will be very much appreciated, but I expect we will be ready to go after some good rest.