Day 36, Monday, July 20, 2015, Manitowac, WI to Ludington, MI, Ferry Ride.  I have made it to Michigan!  Though we only rode a few miles to the ferry (the S.S. Badger) and a few more from the ferry to the motel, it has been a long tiring day.  I have been on such a regimented, fast paced schedule for so long that when it gets disrupted it can be trying and tiring.  After a late, leisurely breakfast we loaded our baggage into the trailer at 10:00 a.m. and did not have to report to the ferry until noon.  I rode around town, picked up a Subway sandwich for lunch/dinner and went down and sat at the beach.  I met up with my crew at the ferry and waited to be called to load our bikes.  Loaded the bikes at 12:30 p.m. and then had to exit the ferry and wait on the dock until 1:30 p.m.  At 2:00 p.m. we left the dock and headed across the lake towards Michigan.  The boat is a very old, coal fired steamship.  I am not certain how long it has been in services, but it is OLD.  Apparently it is the only coal fired steam ship in operation in the U.S.  I quickly found a lounge on the bow and settled in for the 4 hour cruise.  It was warm and cloudy which made for good napping!  I ate my sandwich, drank a beer, ate some popcorn and hung out with some of the group.  We were all glad to see Ludington come into sight so that we could get off the dang boat and back on our bikes.  After a long wait, we were able to go down into the hold of the boat to retrieve our bikes and disembark.   We had to stop at the “Welcome to Michigan” sign for the obligatory pictures of entering our 7^th state and then took a short ride to the motel.  Tomorrow we eat breakfast at 5:30 a.m., load our baggage at 6:00 a.m. and head out on the 111 mile ride to Mt. Pleasant.  The weather forecast is for temperatures in the 70’s and a tail wind.  I am looking forward to an uneventful, quick ride and arriving in Mt. Pleasant to see Leisa Rose.  You can bet I will be dreaming happy thoughts tonight.  It has been a wonderful trip but I am ready to go home!!!

 

Loading the baggage into the trailer in the morning.

 

Waiting to board the ferry.

 

Bikes loaded into the hold of the ferry.

 

I feel a nap in my future.

 

Lighthouse at Ludington.

 

Pure Michigan.  Oh is it sweet to be back home.