We Came, We Enjoyed, We Conquered!

Day four is now just a memory. But, a heck of a great one! We started in Frankfort, MI this morning. Chilly, (had to put the leather jacket on) and sunny. Started off with a great breakfast. There was a "priceless" moment at breakfast when I ask if they had grits. The young waitress's eyes got as big as could be and said..."I don't think so but I can ask." Then turned beet red. It was a Kodak moment.

Got under way around 930 PM. Finally some great roads. Left out on Hwy 22 North. Great little road and curvy. There is a country song called Moments.

We were riding along on Hwy 22. The road has a lot of over hang trees and the sun was not coming through. It was chilly and you could smell camp fires from the night before or being re-kindled for breakfast. As anyone knows who rides a motorcycle...the simple smell of a fire on a crisp morning or fall afternoon has a warming effect on your soul. This morning was no different. Riding along side of Lake MI the water was as clear as bath water. A very aqua blue in our particular area. As we tooled along under the cover of huge trees I was listening to the song Moments. One particular line is in the chorus is:

"I've had my moments, days in the sun"

Just about that time the sun popped out and felt so good. I guess it was a personal moment as they say. It worked for me!



We rode north on Hwy 22 until we reached Sleeping Bear National Dunes Lakeshore Park. Phenomenal area!





I made a phone call to my friend Steve, an attorney who works up in Northern Michigan during the summer to see if he could meet us for drinks on the way by. He suggested a great little town, Charlevoix. Had some oysters, shrimp and a beer. Great visit. Everyone enjoyed the meeting.

LOL, I walked outside and go figure....I got a frigging parking ticket. Four motorcycles in one space...and I am the only one who gets a frigging ticket! Hell, Steve had the gay pride sticker...he should have gotten it! For what it was worth Steve (attorney guy) got one too. (Thanks Steve/MI for taking care of that for me!)

While in the Air Force I was lucky enough to land an airplane at both the North and South Pole. So, when when I passed this sign....I had to laugh!





While passing through Charlevoix we did get to see the "largest cherry pie." What was so funny as we were riding along we passed a bakery. They had a sign for fresh cherry pies. You could smell them baking!





Dan's bike had a small problem today. There was a wreck and we were waiting in traffic for about 30 minutes or so. His bike just lost total electrical power. I called my resident/on call expert. (my brother Randy) Dan has the same bike as my brother and me. They did a recall on the main CB and replaced it. The problem is the bike would just inadvertently shut down. Just like what happened today. It eventually resets itself.

This was the point where we jumped on Hwy 119 in MI. It was like our own personal scenic byway. Small road, rolling, sweepers, a few sharp turns, million dollar views (and houses). We rode for almost 25 miles on this road and had it completely to ourselves. There was a point on the road where the trees were so thick...it was like darkness. The only light getting through was like a full moon night and the rays of the bright moon occasionally break though...in this case it was the sun's rays that would break through on occasion. It was a road very much like in Germany's Black Forest...very dense, dark, yet tranquil as you could ever imagine.

We all agreed it was the end to a perfect day. It was an excellent way to decompress right before we called it a night.

We had our sights set on a recommendation from MI/Steve for dinner but, could not find local lodging. So, we rode on to Mackinaw City. We were only about two miles from calling it a night and the rain started toward us. Just like yesterday, you could smell it coming. We pulled over and suited up to continue. Only had to ride a couple of miles but, just enough to get the bikes nice and dirty. That is how the day ended.

Steve/NC is having some shifter problems so our day will start in the HD shop here in Mackinaw first thing. We all know it would not be a HD trip without a stop at the HD service department!

All in all...another day in paradise as they say. I can still smell the camp fires, feel the sun on my face, wind in my hair, the smell of fresh cherry pies baking and the coming of rain.

To my friend Iceman in Iraq who is following us along on our journey and more important.....It is Marines like him who give us the Freedom to enjoy such a great country .....Brother...you were there all day...every time I looked in the mirror!

Until tomorrow...

Rick (MDD...Happy Trails Again!)