Day 11 - Big Flags and the Upper Peninsula

Hanging out with family on this trip has been super fun. One of the things that Mike wanted to show me while I was in town was this HUGE flag they have at the Acuity Insruance company headquarters. Touted as the largest (or tallest? I can't remember) symbol of freedom in the world, this thing is just below the limit the Federal Aviation Administration put on structures in the Sheboygan area.

Mike borrowed a friends 2007 Electra Glide Ultra (looks like a Street Glide). Despite having a much smaller motor than my bike, the 96 still kicks it. Mike would twist the throttle and take off and I had to get on it to keep up. This is the same bike Ronnie drove - the guy I met going from Denver to Des Moines. I don't remember my 103 being like that.

But, as all good things must come to an end, it is time to get down the road to Michigan. I will see Ben and Diana Hodder. They live in De Tour Village - which I didn't even know existed. It's on the Eastern most end of the Upper Peninsula.

I take Highway 41 north, then to the 35 along the lake. I took a lot of videos with my new camera. But my favorite photo comes at Martinique, where the day is perfect, the lake is calm. They even have fountains of fresh spring water at the roadside park.

This park is a welcome reprieve. There's a fatigue that can set in when riding that I don't get when driving a car. And my experience has taught me when you start to feel sluggish, get off the bike.

The roadside park has picnic tables and I'm able to do some writing, reading, and enjoying the beautiful day. On days like this I can see why people like to live up here. But I also lived in Michigan long enough to know days like this are special. You do get them, but not as often as you might like or hope, and definitely not year round.