Mt. Pleasant is an appropriate name for the t0wn we left to travel to Birch Run. The day indeed was a pleasant one. It featured the lowest amount of climbing of any day so far in our 50 day escapade. The winds were frequently behind us and the temperatures were in the upper 70s F. The conditions bordered on unrealistic they were so ideal; how many places can you ride where there are no hills and the wind is almost always at your back??! We have been blessed with good weather. About half the distance we saw healthy corn and beans and for the second half we saw significant forest again.Having arrived at Birch Run at noon, I decided to travel another 8 miles to the town of Frankenmuth. Bette and two of our kids, at a too young to remember age, had visited this unique place after a visit to relatives in Flint, MI. I wanted to see what changes had taken place.
The downtown area still features Bavarian style buildings and is very attractive. It was very busy with tourists. The upper picture is of an inn and the second is of the visitor center.
However, the quaint store featuring Christmas decorations and such had mushroomed to a small shopping center on the outskirts of town. This image looks north toward the somewhat grotesquely over-commercialized Christmas shopping theme. Christmas music permeates the air and it does not focus on the birth of Christ.
Looking south from the same point is what seems to be an attempt to offset the over-commercialization with some presentations of the true meaning of Christmas. The chapel is a replica of one in Austria that honors Christ's birth; it is very nice. Christmas music permeates the air here also, but the theme is clearly Christ centered.
Ken's two
cents worth: From my point of view this was the most pleasant riding day so far. Flat with an occasional tail wind, but more a slight head wind. as you can see from the sky in Tom's pictures this was one beautiful day weatherise. the scenery was pleasant but not spectacular, or anything out of the ordinary. I did startle one buck deer and it was fun to watch him bound through the corn field after running across the road in front of me. It is hard to believe this is day 38. Only twelve more days to go, and Friday we will cross into Canada. Michigan has the worst roads according to our ride leader and today we had definite proof of that. For awhile I thought we had mistakenly rode onto the GM or Ford suspension test track. But we survived. This trip has certainly honed our skills as cyclists. I now routinely put my bike in places I would not I would not even have attempted or considered riding six weeks ago. Good night! It is time to rest up for our 87 mile ride to Port Huron, MI(one of the oldest settlements in Michigan).
cents worth: From my point of view this was the most pleasant riding day so far. Flat with an occasional tail wind, but more a slight head wind. as you can see from the sky in Tom's pictures this was one beautiful day weatherise. the scenery was pleasant but not spectacular, or anything out of the ordinary. I did startle one buck deer and it was fun to watch him bound through the corn field after running across the road in front of me. It is hard to believe this is day 38. Only twelve more days to go, and Friday we will cross into Canada. Michigan has the worst roads according to our ride leader and today we had definite proof of that. For awhile I thought we had mistakenly rode onto the GM or Ford suspension test track. But we survived. This trip has certainly honed our skills as cyclists. I now routinely put my bike in places I would not I would not even have attempted or considered riding six weeks ago. Good night! It is time to rest up for our 87 mile ride to Port Huron, MI(one of the oldest settlements in Michigan).
I've been to Frankenmuth? Who knew? Who the heck lived in Flint? How wonderful, to have such a perfect day for riding, seems you have been truly blessed on this trip, over and over again!!! Stay safe, we are almost down to single digits in our countdown to your homecoming!!! Love you.
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