Goshen, IN Aunt Hilda walked me around her community – a large but cozy place with ponds, flowers, and gardens. Hilda grows juicy yellow tomatoes, romas, and plants in front of her apartment. She’s in good enough shape to walk half a mile with a little rest. There’s construction at one end – the place…

Mendon, MI to Goshen, IN $15 :: BF, tacos, ice cream 51.87 mi :: 4.55 hr :: 25.0 mph :: 10.5 mph :: 4689 mi On the way to Centerville for breakfast I crossed the longest covered bridge in Michigan, 282 feet I think. A leisurely breakfast ride along county roads. My road ends and…

Middleville, MI to Mendon, MI $210 :: Front tire, shoes, pedals, BF, dinner, ice cream 64.18 mi :: 5.56 hr :: 27.1 mph :: 10/6 mph :: 4637 mi I left Ralph’s house just after the kids took off for school. It was cold. Settled down in Delton for breakfast. A nice long, lazy, breakfast.…

Paris, MI to Middleville, MI $15 :: BF, lunch, ice cream 106.8 mi :: 7.53 hr :: 31.8 mph :: 13.5 mph :: 4572mi I woke up to a clear, chilly morning and a wet sleeping bag. Decided to adventure down the paved bike trail I found last night. A guy working by it said…

Beulah, MI to Paris, MI $13 :: notepad, pizza, ice cream 99.02 mi :: 8.02 hr :: 34.2 mph :: 12.3 mph :: 4466 mi The real struggles are what make this trip interesting. The beginning of the day would bore anyone-I just enjoyed myself. Had a yummy breakfast with Dewey and Sandy. (I almost…

Beulah, MI I fell in love with Dewey’s porch today. I could have easily spent the entire day in it’s cool confines fast off half, reading and thinking while the light spills confines himself down through the Beech wood’s canopy, down to the bridges and finally the dog wood. Of course there is art in…

Rapid City, MI to Beulah, MI $20 :: lunch, coffee, ice cream, book 67.20 mi :: 5.26 hr :: 39.5 mph :: 12.3 mph :: 4367 mi Slept late, feeling secure in my spot on a disused railroad bed by a stream where a bridge once stood. Cooked oatmeal on the remains of the bridge.…

Beaver Island, MI to Rapid City, MI $5 :: coffee, ice cream 38.07 mi :: 2.39 hr :: 26.6 mph :: 14.3 mph :: 4299 mi A stuttering goodbye-at last when I am on the boat and Mom on the dock we both run out of words. We wave and part. I read and wander…

Beaver Island, MI Days of lovliness and comfort and being taken care of by Mom. I still feel active and productive, but the days whiz by. We get mom on-line, I tune the bike, packages are assembled, store customers attended to, e-mail sent, calls and plans made. Lots of home cooked food made and eaten.…

Beaver Island, MI Today I feel a new vitality flowing through me. I think of things to do & act on them all day. My vision feels clear. Perhaps I’ve caught some of Mom’s mental state, & this is how she produces so much beautiful stuff. Everything seems as it should be. Mostly I do…