If you ever get the chance to ride Michigan's Upper Peninsula, don't hesitate for a second. My ride across the UP on Tuesday (August 21) and down into the northern part of lower Michigan was pretty awesome. One of my goals on this ride is to see all five great lakes and I was able to actually able to take a pebble from the shores of three of the great lakes, Michigan, Superior and Huron on Tuesday. I know, I know... Superior is on the northern side of the UP. I couldn't resist. I rode the lower part of the UP for half the way and then wandered north to ride the second half. What can I say? I wanted to know what that part looked like too. Besides, I wanted to see the Soo locks that go between Superior and the North Channel. It was a bonus that a ship was passing through when I got there. Pretty cool stuff.

It is also pretty cool to be able to say that I have now been across the Mackinac bridge connecting the UP and lower Michigan. Pretty amazing... check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackinac_Bridge. I did strap the helmet cam on for the ride across. When I get a better connection, I will upload it so you can take the ride across with me. It was pretty windy and, when I switched lanes to pass the truck in front of me, it felt a little bizarre riding on the metal grate part on a motorcycle. There was a freighter passing under just as I was starting to cross.

Dick and Patty Ranney (long time activist for OHV in Michigan) offered a bed and shower for me so my destination for the night was their house for Tuesday and Wednesday night. It was late when I arrived (Sorry Dick and Patty) because I had dawdled so long up north. Nonetheless, I have long wanted to meet and have a chat with Dick face to face and it was a joy to finally meet them. More on that later.