Our 90 mile ride into Niagara Falls was the end of our trip. It is so difficult to express the emotions I felt. We asked a tourist to take a photo of Ziva and I at the Falls. Arm in arm, we started to cry and hug each other. We had done it - a dream come true with many obstacles. Ken and Nancy had made this dream a reality.
After dinner, we relaxed with "the gang", remembered special times on our trip, opened the champagne that Jerry had brought and toasted "L'Chaim" To Life.
The last two days we were in campgrounds in Canada. In Port Burwell, the rain held off until midnight. In Peacock Point, weather perfect. Here our campground was on a bluff above Lake Erie. Winds strong but magnificent view.
I finally learned how to set up a tent with the fly for rain protection and to search for the best tent location. However, I couldn't stop the overnight rain and taking down a wet tent is no fun.
Near the town of Dresden, Ontario, the life of Josiah Henson is commemorated. His memoirs are the source for Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. Henson settled in Canada in 1830 and 30,000 blacks were able to use the underground railroad and live free in Canada.
Everyone was excited to start cycling this morning, knowing that we would be entering Canada. We took the ferry across the St. Claire river into Canada. The headwinds were troublesome the last 12 miles but the rest of the 60 miles was "easy sailing." We were surprised to find the sign for Uncle Tom's Cabin and followed the path to explore the site.
This morning we missed an important turn and had to figure out a new route. Additional miles resulted and our 82 mile day ended with a total of 93 miles. Headwinds and traffic made this ride even more difficult!
During our ride in Wisconsin and Michigan, I had seen produce stands based upon the "honesty system" - take what you want and leave the money. People seem to be so trusting in the farm communities we passed through during our travels.
Today's ride was totally flat but the ride seemed longer than 65 miles because we had detours on dirt roads. We were also forced to cycle on gravel roads, which are as dangerous to cyclists as sand on a road. The ride ended in the Bavarian town of Frankenmuth. The town was settled by Germans in 1845.
Blaine, our 20 year old driver, was waiting at our lunch stop and missed his namesake farm.
Today's 75 mile ride was easy. Our stop for lunch at the Amish Farm Country Store was interesting. We respected the Amish farmers and did not photograph them.
Our ride had lots of turns and confusing street directions but we found our way into Alma and to the college. One of our roads just stopped - no pavement, just dirt for over two miles.
The college hosted a catered dinner for us and we met a former, 2008 Bike Across America rider, Jim Convoy. He rode with my friend Mike on the ride and had lots of stories to tell.
Washing by hand and using an outside clothes line for drying is no longer fun. We all got excited seeing all these washing machines for our accumulated wash!
Rested and anxious to cycle today with Ziva, I was told that Michigan was the flatest state that we would cycle through across the country. Today was very humid but the easy terrain made the 65 mile ride easy.
This photo will be one of my favorite bicycle photos of the trip! The mannequin on the bicycle is at the entrance of Madeline's Vegetable Garden near Hesperia.
Ziva is so happy today. A few days ago, she decided to climb on a different tank and unfortunately, 21 stitches later, she had to retire her bike. She pedalled 35 miles today and was excited about being on the bike again.
What an easy day. Cycled 3 miles to the ferry to cross Lake Michigan. The 62 mile crossing was extremely relaxing. We arrived in Michigan to begin our five days of cycling in this new state on our journey. The time zone has changed to eastern standard time and now we feel we're almost home.
You will also notice that Chuck, Ziva and I are wearing our Bicycle Across America shirts. Everyone always comments on the bright colored shirts and then reads the back which lists the dates, cities and states to show where we have been and where we will be going to.
Today's ride was another very special day. I loved the challenge of the rolling terrain as well as the only climb, 18% climb. The group I was riding with voted County Road MM as the best road of the trip. There were no cars for miles and the four of us rode abreast without a care in the world. Tomorrow we will ferry across Lake Michigan and today's first sighting of the lake was spectacular.
Today was a very special day. I looked forward to meeting Cathy and Polly in Fond du lac for weeks. Cathy lives an hour away from here and Polly flew up from Indiana to visit Cathy and be with me today. Both have been following my blog daily and wanted to hear all about my adventures in person. Their friendship is something that I will always cherish.
After cycling 34 miles, we stopped for "lunch". Of course, lunch could have been breakfast at 11 a.m. Yes, this is a fish sandwich not a hamburger. This 1934 tradition should have been a "bike in" not a drive in! What a fun morning.
Today's 90 mile ride didn't seem as long as previous rides in Montana or South Dakota. We followed the Elroy Sparta Trail and the 400 Trail. On the trail, we walked our bikes through three tunnels. The tunnels were originally for trains and were completed in 1873. The tunnels were so dark that we needed flashlights to guide our walk. What an awesome experience and another great day to remember.
Cycled only a few miles to the bridge over the Mississippi River. On the other side, we entered Wisconsin. Most of the day was spent on bike trails. The limestone surface was actually much better than some of the roads we've been on during this trip. With no cars and no barking dogs, while cycling on the trail, we were very relaxed. When we entered our final destination of the day, the town of Sparta, I discovered that this town is "the bicycle capital of the nation." The first rails to trails, 101 miles long, was completed here in 1976.
How about the price? Of course, it is the year 1902. The bicycle actually costs less if ordered without the wheels according to the ad.
Relaxing day. I walked around town and enjoyed viewing all the stained glass in various public buildings. In the afternoon I could not resist taking my bike out alone and circling Lake Winona. The black eyed Susan's and purple cone flowers surround bike path.
The golden era for the town was from 1870-1900. As a result of wheat farming, the lumber industry, and train transportation, the town flourished and grew in the early years.
