Leland, Michigan to Elberta, Michigan - July 31, 2023

Bright Light

Today we got off to an earlier start, packing up and departing from Adele and Page's place after expressing our gratitude for their hospitality. 

We pedaled to Tricia’s Dishes in Leland for breakfast and coffee. I spent some time updating the blog while savoring a Western omelette and a bowl of oatmeal. Donald opted for a breakfast burrito. We cleared our own dishes before leaving.

Gravel Pathway

The cycling today was, yet again, spectacular. We traversed along quiet roads and bike trails for nearly the entire route.

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Dune Walkers

Our noteworthy stop today was at Sleeping Bear Dunes. This proved to be a unique and memorable experience. Upon arrival, we secured our bikes and embarked on our climb. For about 45 minutes, we hiked, marveling at the picturesque vistas and observing other climbers as they ascended. Many were lounging on the sand, enjoying the view. I’m glad we brought along water and our cameras. Afterwards, we purchased sports drinks from a vending machine and ate some of our own food. I also took the chance to stow my tent, which had been drying on my bike during our excursion on the dunes.

Knowing we had approximately 40 miles of cycling ahead to reach our campsite, we set off, planning to tackle the distance a bit at a time. I believe both Donald and I prefer to break down the journey into smaller chunks. Viewing the day's ride in 5 to 10-mile sections makes it easier to cover the 50 to 60 miles we aim to do each day. Embracing small goals is a way of life.

Before reaching our campsite, we stopped in Frankfort for groceries, stocking up on dinner and breakfast items.

Setup

At the campsite, we had our dinner, pitched our tents, and used the shower facilities. A man from Cleveland stopped by for a chat before we retired to our tents for the night. He had a custom dog carrier attached just behind his bicycle handlebar. He asked about our journey and shared stories about other bicycle tourists he had encountered. When questioned about his home in Cleveland, he enthusiastically declared his love for it.

We covered 56 miles today.