Tunnel of Trees

Tunnel of Trees was one of the top 10 motorcycle rides by the Discovery Channel. It did not disappoint!  The views on this narrow, twisty road along the shore of Lake Michigan were phenomenal.  There was very little traffic. Between the water views, old and new houses, and trees, we thoroughly enjoyed the 20 miles.  (We have now done 4 of the 10 rides.) 

As we were headed to the Tunnel of Trees, a guy pulled up next to me at a light and said there are two places you need to go and told me both things we were headed to do:  The ride and lunch.  We knew were on the right path.  It's so cool how people will talk to you when you are in a motorcycle.  We love it.

At the end of the route was a fantastic restaurant called Legs Inn at Cross Village.  It serves polish food in a great setting.  We had a combo lunch of periogies, a galumkie, Hunters stew with home made rye bread and potatoe pancakes.  For dessert, we split a crumb cake with fruit, topped with ice cream.  It was wonderful.  After lunch we went out on the back lawn and took pictures of the views and beautiful gardens. 

From there we headed to St. Ignace over the Mackinaw Bridge.  I'm glad I don't have to go over that again!  It is a very long suspension bridge.  The 5th longest in the world.  All I know is that the wind was so strong that we were getting blown sideways and the lovely metal grates that are part of the bridge weren't fun.

We found a little motel on the water in St. Ignace for the next couple of nights.  We unloaded the bikes and went for a long walk (much needed after our big lunch).  The wind is incredible here and of course COLD!  :-)  I'm glad we brought hat and gloves.  We found our first Michigan geocache on our walk.  Rich's favorite - pine tree caches. 

Short ride today: 149 miles.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

This morning was bright sunshine and warmer temperatures!  But after looking at the forecast, we found ourselves at Gander Mountain buying me Under Armour! 

Next on the agenda was a stop at the largest pie pan (17 feet and in 1985 won the Guinness World record for the largest pie).   "Somebody" was very disappointed that a piece of pie was not part of the visit. It's on the side of the road in a field! 

On a park ranger's recommendation, we stopped at a great little place for lunch called Horizons and Sunsets.  We sat outside and chatted with people while we ate.

We rode through some very pretty roads to get to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.  We took the Pierce Scenic Drive.  It has several overlooks you can park and hike or just take in the views. It was absolutely stunning.  The pictures don't do it justice. 

Tomorrow we are headed out and up to the UP.  It will be sad to leave the cabin!

Mileage:  102

Traverse City KOA

We left Dearborn around 9:30 this morning and headed to Pinconning.  We went to the Wilson Cheese Shop there.  We sampled some cheese and bought some for our dinner. They had a cute and quirky sign that made it easy to find the place.

We had a nice (but chilly ride) across to Traverse City.  The roads were great and beautiful scenery after all the highways.  We were actually headed to a motorcycle only campground but the thought of a tent in these temperatures quickly stopped that plan. 

We found this cabin with our own bathroom AND best of all HEAT!! :-)   It actually has a gas grill and a porch rocking seat. It is so cute!  We are here for two nights so we are happy.

Tomorrow we are headed to the Sleeping Bears Dunes and whatever else we find along the way.  We're also going to find some under armour to keep warm.

Mileage:  260

The Henry Ford Museum

This was a fantastic place!  We opened and closed the place. We arrived at 9:30 and left at 5:00.  We went to the Greenfield Village first which was like stepping back in time. 

Rich was thrilled with the trains and we rode a couple of times around the park on it.  There were so many things to see-old equipment and craftspeople and houses with everything the way it was in the early 1600, 1700, and 1800s. 

We had a fantastic lunch at the Eagle Tavern which used to be a stop for people traveling by horse and carriage.  The tables were very tiny and the waiters in period dress. Rich had a sasparilla soda with a straw that was uncooked pasta.

We spent the afternoon in the museum which was just as interesting.  We saw the car that Kennedy was shot in and the chair that Lincoln was shot in.  There were airplanes and dining cars and old campers that were fun to look at.

We laughed at how many items were from New England.  There was a house from Andover CT and a post office from Phoenixville, CT. 

If you ever get the chance to visit, don't pass it up. 

Tomorrow we're heading towards Traverse City.  

Stay tuned...

Dearborn MI

A much better day to ride today!   The weather was cool but dry and partly sunny. 

We have been a great source of entertainment for people watching us load and unload our gear on the motorcycles.  People can't believe we get it all to fit.  

We had a nice walk to dinner.  We ate at the BD Mongolian Grill.  What an event that was.   You pick out what you want and then take it to this round grill where they are cooking 10 other dinners at the same time-lots of fun.

We are going to the Henry Ford Museum tomorrow and we haven't decided where to tomorrow night.   It will depend on when we are done at the museum and what the weather is.

Mileage:  360

Day 1 UP Trip

The day started off hopeful-no rain.  But that was short lived.   We hit rain in NY so we sat in McDonald's waiting for it to pass.  We did end up in it-lots of it.  We stopped in PA for gas and to warm up.   We dripped water everywhere!  It was cold and we were frozen and wet so the executive decision was made-Holiday Inn tonight!

The rest of the week's weather is looking promising so we hope today we paid our dues.

Tomorrow we are headed to Dearborn and will visit the Henry Ford museum on Monday. 

Here are some pictures that Gail and Joe took of us getting ready to leave.  Even Nox came over to day good bye.

Mileage today:  375

Snow Farm Weekend

We spent the weekend in Williamsburg, MA at Snow Village at a BMW Rally with dad and Gina. 

We had hot and humid weather Friday and Saturday but Sunday was perfect temperatures and no humidity. 

We rode to the Peace Pagoda, the Bridge of Flowers, and the glacier potholes on Saturday.  On Sunday, we stopped at Chesterfield Gorge and rode the Skyline Trail.  The Skyline was a great ride, one to do again.

We met so many nice people over the weekend.  There were around 22 people from all over.  We met Tamela Rich and Jill, who were traveling up to Acadia.  There was also a couple from Canada that offered us dinner and to stay with them when we get to Niagara Falls.

All and all a great weekend.  Now we'll spend this week getting ready for our Michigan trip which we are looking forward to.