Crystal Falls, Michigan to Escanaba, Michigan - July 24, 2023

Sign Similarity

Today was a day of embracing the arduous task of cycling. We knew we were up against a hefty stretch of seventy-five miles with minimal services available. In the process, we crossed into the eastern time zone and reached the shore of Lake Michigan, marking the day with the highest mileage in our journey.

We began the day by packing our tents and conversing with the campground host who had stopped by our site for a visit. We also had a brief interaction with a cook who worked at the nearby New Leaf Restaurant and seemed to be a semi-permanent resident of the campground. He sat in his van and rolled cigarettes.

Saying our goodbyes, we headed to the Raven's Nest again for a meal. Despite being somewhat seedy, it was the only place open for breakfast in town. We both ordered the three-egg omelet before hitting the road.

Those Swedes

We biked non-stop for seventy-five miles, pausing briefly at the Viking Trading Post for cold sports drinks and a cookie, and at the closed La Branche Tavern to eat some of the food we had packed.

Lunch Stop

As we were arriving in Escanaba, the sky opened up and drenched us with rain during the last five minutes of our ride. We checked into our pre-booked hotel, the Magnuson Grand Pioneer Inn, and immediately utilized the pool. It was slightly cool but revitalizing.

Exhausted from the ride, we left our bikes at the hotel and took an Uber to Hereford & Hops Steakhouse for dinner. Afterward, we walked to the waterfront for some exploration and then Ubered back to the hotel. In the lobby, I managed to chat with Olin, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, and Beth. 

An odd observation from our journey so far is the unusually high bar tops and tables in Wisconsin and Michigan. I've been contemplating asking for a booster seat.

We cycled seventy-five miles today.