July 20, 2023

Given the proximity of Wisconsin and Michigan to Alberta – it was not a surprise to encounter some of the wild fire smoke that we have been warned about for several days now. This is a close up of Rob’s view as he approaches Manitowoc on Sunday.

To highlight the positive – Rob has only encountered two really unpleasant bike routes – Rt 93 out of Eureka toward Whitefish in Montana and yesterday along Bicycle Rt 20 on Wheeler Rd in Michigan – Not only was the road undesirable with little to no shoulder to ride on – he got yelled at by a passing car! It’s a state designated bicycle route buddy – geez!

U.S. Bicycle Route 20 is a numbered bicycle route that is planned to run from the Oregon coast to Marine City, Michigan, so approximately 400 miles have been designated as of 2021.

Rob entered Beast Mode yesterday as we had trouble finding a spot for the night due to a Angler Tournament and an Invitational Golf Tournament. He pedaled through Midland and onto Bay City!

A highlight of riding yesterday was being on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail – named after Father Jacques Marquette (1637 – 1675) who was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan’s first European settlement. Later the Pere Marietta Railroad, incorporated in 1899, would also bear his name. Interesting tidbit of history – the railway was used exclusively from 1900 to 1947 with a passenger steam locomotive. Chris Van Allsburg used the Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive as his inspiration for the now classic Polar Express.

Rob will ride today just west of North Branch around the Otter Lake region and we will camp tonight then onto Marine City on Friday to camp along the St Clair River, which serves as a boundary line between the United States and Canada.

Who knows – we may even have time to explore Walpole Island!

Keeping the rubber side down, Julie and Rob