Last Things

Today ended not only our last day in Michigan, but also our last day with our Michigander bike riding buddies Brock and Leola.  We were all busy with preparations to move tomorrow, but took time out to enjoy hotdogs on the grill.  We put all of the food on the table, 

but decided that we'd rather sit in the shade to eat.

Brock really knows how to grill a dog to perfection!

Moving day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Evening Flight

Spyder ran and Eagle flew through the late afternoon light

past tall corn

and blue lakes.

They paused to view Brock and Leola's home they left for life on the road,

and rested in Hastings while Brock and Leola introduced us to the Mexican Connection, 

for tamales, chimechunga, tacos, and a burger for supper.

Spyder led Eagle down different country roads to home.

Other people were flying home too

Packing day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

One Last Time

Our Michigan tour guides, Brock and Leola led us west today by county roads through small towns and villages,

past fields of blueberries

and hay

to their favorite childhood destination--South Haven on Lake Michigan.  We stopped for lunch

and chat 

before heading through the old town tourist section

to our turnaround point at the marina 

and beach.  

Besides downtown shopping, and relaxing on the sand or in the water, people come here to walk the breakwater out to the old lighthouse which once housed only the light and the materials needed to maintain it.  At one time the metal framework supported a wooden walkway the lightkeeper used to walk safely from his house on shore out to the light when the lake waves crashed over the breakwater.

People also come to watch the birds

and enjoy the boats cruising down the Black River to play on Lake Michigan.

On the ride home we went north along the lakeshore to Oval Beach in Saugatuck State Park for one last walk along Lake Michigan.  We discovered that we didn't want to spend $10 for the privilege,

but were allowed to ride around the gate, grab a glance, and ride back out.

In Saugatuck where the Kalamazoo River empties into Lake Michigan we passed another large marina before we left the lakeside for the last time.

We picked up M40 for the rest of the ride home.

Coming up--a busy day.

Louise and Duane

Yes, No, Contrasts

While Brock, Leola, Duane and I were visiting Amish Country in and around Shipshewana, IN yesterday (see Amish Country blog), we saw lots of things that we expected to see:
buggies for sale

bicycles at a school

 cutting hay with a 4 horse team

bicycling adults

stores selling Amish made furniture, food, and decorations.

Some things we did not expect to see included this very new, very modern, very large (women's) restroom

longhorn cattle,

and more than one modern entertainment venue offering shows and tours.

Interesting contrasts we saw:  buggy crossing sign outside modern mall area with the traditional name of Yoder,

buggy driver getting gas

two kinds of buggies parked in a driveway

buggy horses with semi and sign for power equipment

all kinds of vehicles sharing the road.

Tomorrow--Lake Michigan again.

Louise and Duane

Amish Country

As Brock and Leola led us south through the  country around Kalamazoo, MI it started looking more and more like the Ohio countryside where Duane and I grew up--broad fields of corn, soybeans and hay,

shaded country roads,

quiet small villages and towns.

For fun we rode through the 1887 Langley Covered Bridge,

the only one left in the area.

Our ride eventually led us across the Indiana State Line to our turnaround point, Shipshewana, home to many rv manufacturers, rv sales and services.  

This is also Amish country, where the food is plain, plentiful, and very good--a great place for lunch.  

At the Blue Gate we decided not to wait in line for the single meal restaurant.  We opted to stuff face at the buffet.  The buffet table at the far left is one of three: salads, hot dishes, and desserts.

Before we left I browsed the bakery and finally left with some rhubarb/cherry jam and some freshly baked cinnamon bread.

From the restaurant we rode out into the country again, past large, non-electric, very well tended 

multifamily farms for which the Amish are very well-known.

After a few miles we found our goal, Comfort Design Furniture.  In our rv Duane and I have decided to take our our three regular-sized recliners and replace them with one smaller recliner and a table with four chairs.  Since we liked Brock and Leola's recliner, they showed us where they purchased it.

After a few minutes of test sitting, we decided that this place had what best fit our needs, but that it required further discussion.  

Back on the bikes, we saw our blue skies had started to gather dark clouds.  We picked the quickest way home, and managed to arrive before the sprinkles.

In the evening Brock and Leola introduced us to some very good hand-dipped ice cream.  Plainwell is made right here in the back of this building,

and served up fresh and delicious in the front.  We opted to use one of the inside tables.

As we were enjoying our treats, I noticed these paraphrased nursery rhymes.

Tomorrow, we may be rearranging our living room.

Louise and Duane