Day 1: Sunrises, Swans, Sunsets

Day 1: July 26th, 2016

Milwaukee Wi to Pentwater Mi, 58.5 mi (plus an 83.3 mi ferry-ride)

By Victoria Curran. 

This morning began with the alarm rattling us awake at 4:45am (that's 2:45am for us California folk).  "Seriously?" you're probably thinking, "why do you let Judd talk you into these things?"  And that's a very good question, one I've pondered many times.  Let's explore this a bit, shall we?  After drowsily arising, Judd and I quickly gathered our panniers and the various treats we'd bought for breakfast the night before at a local co-op, loaded up the bikes and pedaled our way to the Lake Express high speed ferry. Thanks to the proximity of our Airbnb residence, this was just a quick 5 minute ride and we caught the 6am ferry from Milwaukee to Muskeegon.  As the ferry shoved off, we were treated to a gorgeous sunrise over Lake Michigan.  Things are starting to look up!

The 2 hour ferry ride was, happily, very smooth and we arrived in Muskeegon a few minutes early.  

Immediately we were routed to a dedicated bike path that took us along a glorious route in full view of Lake Michigan.  What a tremendous way to start the morning!

Along our way, we came up closer than either of us have ever been to a smoke stack of a coal fired power plant, 

stopped at a blueberry farm for fresh blueberries (YUM!)

and saw all kinds of cool sculptures. 

This first one is a butterfly.

If you look closely at this second one, you'll see it not only has fish carved into the sides of the figures, but the two figures are supporting a bike rack between them!  It turns out Michigan is just full of wonderful surprises.  Like this sign

An official US bike route!  Part of US bike route network, it also has picnic tables and benches all along the way. Talk about putting people first!

And is Michigan ever beautiful!  Check out this verdant corridor of green

Okay, cool, Victoria, but where's the food?  Judd always talks about food!  Hey, I gotcha covered.  We stopped at an ice cream shop (sorry, no pics) and both got milkshakes.  While we were relaxing and enjoying these delicious shakes of which you'll never see pictures, we met a guy who had just arrived from New York a couple days ago.  Upon learning we hadn't yet eaten lunch, he told us about the Country Dairy.  Not ones to miss out on anything dairy, we stopped by and we were not disappointed.  Bottomless glasses of the best chocolate milk you have ever tasted?  Yes, please!

After this, we were rejuvenated but ready to set up camp.  Along the way, we ran across a family of swans.

Did you know that swans hiss?   Well, I for one, did not.  Let me tell you, it was impressive. Not wanting to find out what else defensive swans can do, we pedaled on to our destination, Pentwater, Michigan, where we stayed in Mears State Park.

Home sweet home.

We got in about 45 minutes before sunset so we ran down to the lake for a swim.  

Whoa!  Looking pretty rough there!

Ahhhh...now that's better!

To top it all off, we saw the sun set on Lake Michigan.

So now you have a better understanding why I let him talk me into these things.