Sept 17 Day 5

Sept. 17

Day 5

It is always wonderful to wake up in a hotel room and find it poured rain last night. It means that hanging around the Forest History Site looking at a old museum and thinking about what like would be like making a dollar a day. Then when we reached Grand Rapids it so late we decided to hotel rather than camp. Then the front desk recommended dinner across the street where all you can eat Rib night that came a free beer, let me tell it is the simple things that make life worth living.

We started with low expectations for the day wet and dark overcast sky ment I work a coat. With in 3 miles the sun was shining and the coat was too hot so I took it off and immediately became just uncomfortablely chilled. Dave wore his coat all day the wimp.

The wind shifted last night again just as start to change directions too and guesss what it was head wind again today.

I was really nervous today as today was the day we were to hit the 6.7 miles of gravel. Dave and I talked about this last night and decided that when we saw the road we would decide and decision point there was a sign saying road work ahead. We elected to chance it and worked out great as there fresh pavement just where the gravel was suppose to be. I was quite happy.

Along this 6.7 mile ride on smooth flat pavement we saw in the distance a person on roller blades. Herre in the far north 30 miles from a town a roller blader is zooming along towards us. I expected a young kid turned out to older guy just out enjoying the smooth road and lack of traffic.

Today we saw almost no traffic once away from grand rapids and no trailer were moving along the road but still lots of boats on the side of the roads many for sale. Note how nice the road is and how there is now just a hint of color in the trees. Best of all note no gravel.

The choice was even better as the road ran right beside the river and senery was great. Only one weird thing we saw was a covey of Quail.

Now it is 4:30 Dave and I rode to town to get some fresh meat and onions for dinner. We have finished collecting firewood at the campsite and I am just finishing the blog. This is now the second time I have camped here. Di and I camped here when we paddled down the Mississippi together.

Thankful for Today.

I was happy in the hotel and was pleased to see the wet ground confirming we made a good choice last night. But I think I will be most thankful for the great breakfast of donuts, sausage and gravel and waffles. This might seem a little shallow but I am know finding I am starting to dream and plan the next meal before I finish the one I am on. I also noticed this afternoon my pants falling down while collecting wood so I will be thankful for a full breakfast this morning even though that is simple.