Free Soil, Michigan to New Era, Michigan - August 2, 2023

Closing in on New Era

Today was a bit of a struggle for me. We were both noticeably tired, but we pressed on.

Cafe Mural Outside Brenda’s

We packed up and cycled around ten miles to Ludington, where we stopped at Brenda’s Harbor Cafe. We both ordered large breakfasts and the Swedish burrito as a side dish. Donald, being Norwegian, thoroughly enjoyed his meal, although he was somewhat disappointed that it was a Swedish specialty.

Our next stop was in Pentwater at Cenzo’s, a grocery store primarily selling a wide variety of drinks. We took a break at an indoor table, indulging in some cold electrolyte drinks in the refreshing air-conditioned space. It's always a relief to find shelter indoors when on bike tours - living outdoors really does toughen you up.

Crusin’ Along Waterways

Generating Power

Warlord

We then followed a bike trail to New Era. Along the way, I finally caught a second wind. Our luck held as we discovered The Artisan Cafe. Here, we watched music video after music video while devouring nachos and large burritos. Donald added several “pork chops” to his order. The waiter was astonished by the quantity of food we could consume. I suspect my stomach has expanded on this trip - I'm looking forward to returning to my usual diet of salads with a bit of protein on top.

After filling our bellies to the brim, we pedaled about 4.5 miles to the Holiday Camping Resort outside New Era. The camping fee was a little on the steep side, but the bathroom and shower facilities were clean. A campsite manager on a golf cart, cigarette tucked behind his ear, approached us because we had mistakenly chosen the wrong tent site, as a Subaru was parked in our assigned spot. We quickly resolved the mix-up.

After setting up our tents, Donald spoke with a curious couple about our trip. They confirmed that there was a bike trail we could take to Grand Rapids out of Muskegon. After a while, Donald subtly hinted it was time for them to leave by starting to inflate his sleeping pad. There are moments when one simply needs some quiet.

A shower felt fantastic after the long day.

We cycled 53 miles today.