Michigan continued ...

On the 3rd of September after some well needed rest in Travese City at Jen and Jordan's we got back on the road headed south towards Grand Rapids. We took some lovely winding country roads for 30 odd miles until we got to a town called Cadillac where we hooked up with the White Pine trail, another rails to trails bike path. We followed the trail for another 50 miles or so until we reached Reed City where we met Caitlyn Louchard a fellow cycle tourist who is cycling from California to Maine (check her out at http://caitlynperrylouchard.com/bike-odyssey/ ). We held up with Caitlyn at Saint Paul's Lutheran church in Reed City for the night.

The next Morning we hopped back on the white pine trail for a short while then we jumped onto the old 131 to avoid a 30 mile gravel stretch before getting back on the WPT at Sand Lake to take us into grand rapids.

We stayed in Grand Rapids for a few days with my dear friends Eve and Chris. We enjoyed some good vegan fare at the local restaurants and sampled some locally brewed beers and ciders too. We also got to hang out with  another mate of mine Kate who helped me with another one of my hair experiments :) We were lucky enough to be in town on the weekend of the celebration on the grand getting to enjoy a wonderful fireworks display by the river.

On Sunday the 8th though we hit the road again this time headed east 50 something miles. Taking the beautiful and bike friendly Grand River drive to Sarnac then the David Highway to Westphalia where we spent the night at the Daniel Doroste Memorial park.

Monday we headed for Flint almost 80 miles east of Westphalia. We ran into some rain about 20 miles in which was compounded by the fact that it was only around 15 degrees Celsius. Though in the end Mitts with here thermals and rain jacket and me with my over sized Poncho flapping around we kept on trucking through the rain and cold winds at about 9 miles an hour. Luckily by the time we hit outer Flint the rain had disappeared and the sun came out to greet us :) We road into Flint a bit soggy but so happy to meet our CS host Amy who opened up her loft in down town to us. A dry place of refuge for the night. Thanks again Amy :)
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Tue the 10th of September would be our last day in Michigan and definitely the hottest around 35 degrees Celsius. We road further east headed for the boarder city of Port Huron. On our way we stopped for lunch in Imlay City for the best Pizza of the trip by far at Pizzamachine a locally run joint where they make your pizza and crust fresh to order bloody delicious. When we finally hit Port Huron that stinking hot afternoon we headed straight for our CS hosts joint to shower. Janine and her Husband William we great CS hosts taking us out for tea at a local pub by the water and giving us a tour of the highlights of there beautiful city. The next Day Janine even offered to take us across the bridge to Canada which we gladly accepted as the Blue Water bridge is a no bicycling bridge.