T1 Day 50 (Liz)

7/26/23


If you lose faith is humanity, I’d recommend biking across the country. Its amazing how kind strangers are when you’re on a two wheeled adventure…


This morning we quickly packed up camp at Sutter’s Recreation Area in North Branch, MI. Great spot but there were so many mosquitoes. And then we took off for Algonac. Last full day in Michigan!


The morning was largely uneventful, except for the 17mph headwind we fought about half of the time. So after about 30 miles we stopped in the town of Yale! All I wanted was an iced coffee and a pastry. Fortunately, there was a cute little bakery that has just that. Unfortunately, we were a day early for Yale’s Bologna Festival, apparently its a big deal. 


As we continued on, the dark, hazy sky grew more and more ominous. The air quality was poor and the clouds ahead looked dark. We stopped for a lunch at a picnic table outside a run down general store. And then, we started to get the weather alerts. Throughout the rest of the day, we got alerts for heat, air quality, thunderstorms, hail, wind warnings, and even marine weather. Not a great sign. 


Eventually, we were biking along the St. Clair River separating Michigan from its neighbor, Ontario. We were heading South directly into the wind and we knew the storm was close. As the clouds started to open up and pour, we jumped off our bikes to put on rain gear. 


Then, the wind came. A gust of wind practically knocked me over. I had to keep a wide stance to stay upright. This storm seemed bad and we needed to get inside so we rushed to the closest building, the St. Clair Golf Club. I don’t know how we got so lucky to end up there. They ushered us and our bikes in, sat us down in the bar, fed us dinner, and offered us showers in the women’s locker room. (They insisted on the showers, we probably didn’t smell great…)


The incredibly kind golf pro even offered to drive us to the state park campground after his meetings. After food and showers, we loaded our bikes into his truck and he drove us the 15 miles to the campground while gushing about his wonderful family. 


Earlier, Keelin had asked called a motel to see if we could stay there tonight. Although we ultimately decided not to, the manager was worried about us and told us we could call if we needed to, her son in law could pick us up in his truck. 


So here we are, finally in our tents in Algonac State Park. There are lots of mosquitoes and it is currently pouring on us. But, I don’t even mind. People have been so kind to us, and it makes even the hardest days so much better. 

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