Riding into the unincorporated town of Clam Lake, WI just before 7pm and after covering 70-80 miles, we were hoping for a grocery store and a water fill-up. The adventure cycling map showed a grocery symbol, but we have come to learn that a "grocery store" in these small towns are often gas stations with basic necessities. Because of this, we have found it challenging to get our vitamins through fresh fruits and vegetables. Hence the previous blog about living off pancakes. There might not be fresh fruits and veggies, but almost every town has a breakfast joint.
Pulling in to the gas station, it was already closed. A quick look around the 4 corner "town" that had maybe 6 shops in total, we jumped across the street to the bar/restaurant. The first words we heard when we opened the door were, "Gas station is closed. Sorry about that. It's our fault because we work there." And there began our next great experience while living on the bikes. Five Clam Lakers in total filled the bar and curiously asked questions about our bikes and travels. They could not have been nicer. All we wanted was some water and here we were talking with the small town folk, swapping stories.
Saying our goodbyes, the same woman who apologized about the gas station being closed, waved us over to their side of the bar and fed us pizza and beer. We agreed to a slice of pizza, but she just kept filling our plates. She and her husband had taken a few trips on bikes, so they understood what it felt like to be a garbage disposal, always on the hunt for food. Before we knew it, it was 8pm and the bar patrons were sharing old stories of dancing on the bars and this and that about the area. We were laughing quite hard but needed to head out and find the campground to set up our tent before it was too dark. What a great night so far.
We rode down the street behind the bar and sure enough there was the couple who shared their pizza. Mind you, we have not even exchanged names at this point, but Colleen approached us and offered their home for a hot shower (we made mention in the bar how we had not had a truly hot shower since the middle of February) and a bed. What luck! We could not have been more thankful. A few turns later and a bit of gravel road, we were at their beautiful log home that sat on 120 acres that they had been working on for ten years. She rushed us down to our own private area and we embraced one of the best showers of our lives. It was absolutely wonderful. The night was spent with Colleen and Jerry, talking about everything from family to jobs to politics. We had a wonderful time and again found friends that we hope to cross paths with in the future. A great addition to our travels in the US. We are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful country, filled with people with such big hearts. I couldn't be happier.
Before I easily drifted off to sleep, I said to Ryan, "This is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in." I am not sure if that is necessarily true, but I slept like a log and could have slept well into the afternoon. We woke bright and early at 7:30am and had a huge breakfast waiting for us. Thank you Colleen! Full bellies and a few more hours of talking, we were back on the bikes and making our way east.
Much of our time in Wisconsin was spent on back roads that offer a bit of a shoulder, allowing us the capability to share the road with cars and logging trucks. The drivers are more often than not nice enough to give plenty of space and sometimes even the occasional wave. The terrain of Wisconsin has been farm lands giving way to lakes and rolling hills covered in evergreens and birch trees. I can only imagine how beautiful this area is come fall, riding through paths of bright yellow birch trees. The farmlands have roaming cattle and often the house and silo sit back from the road, separated by a huge green pasture of dandelions in bloom. Dandelions are mostly known as a weed, but enough of them together make for beautiful scenery.
The further east and north we traveled, the smalled and farther apart the towns became. Rare was the town over 500 people. Most homes seemed to be second homes that surrounded the lakes and sported a "Hall's Retreat" or "Glaucer's Get-a-Way" sign hanging from a post at the end of their driveway. Starting our riding 2+ years ago, we traveled with a small, light-weight pack rod that would have been perfect for this leg of our trip, but we unfortunately left it in San Diego before heading to Central America. Doesn't that always seem to be the way it works? Although we can't fish, we read by the lakes and enjoy the local fried fish in the small cafes. One restaurant even offered a bluegill omelet.
480 miles in 7 days of riding. Not too shabby. We are now currently in eastern Michigan, heading through the Upper Peninsula toward Mackinac Island. Dodging a few thunderstorms along our way, we have hit a warmer patch of weather now that has provided blue skies and winds at our backs or sides. We are loving life and are actually ahead of schedule for once in our lives. Wait, did I just say the word "schedule"? I think we need a vacation.
Pulling in to the gas station, it was already closed. A quick look around the 4 corner "town" that had maybe 6 shops in total, we jumped across the street to the bar/restaurant. The first words we heard when we opened the door were, "Gas station is closed. Sorry about that. It's our fault because we work there." And there began our next great experience while living on the bikes. Five Clam Lakers in total filled the bar and curiously asked questions about our bikes and travels. They could not have been nicer. All we wanted was some water and here we were talking with the small town folk, swapping stories.
Saying our goodbyes, the same woman who apologized about the gas station being closed, waved us over to their side of the bar and fed us pizza and beer. We agreed to a slice of pizza, but she just kept filling our plates. She and her husband had taken a few trips on bikes, so they understood what it felt like to be a garbage disposal, always on the hunt for food. Before we knew it, it was 8pm and the bar patrons were sharing old stories of dancing on the bars and this and that about the area. We were laughing quite hard but needed to head out and find the campground to set up our tent before it was too dark. What a great night so far.
We rode down the street behind the bar and sure enough there was the couple who shared their pizza. Mind you, we have not even exchanged names at this point, but Colleen approached us and offered their home for a hot shower (we made mention in the bar how we had not had a truly hot shower since the middle of February) and a bed. What luck! We could not have been more thankful. A few turns later and a bit of gravel road, we were at their beautiful log home that sat on 120 acres that they had been working on for ten years. She rushed us down to our own private area and we embraced one of the best showers of our lives. It was absolutely wonderful. The night was spent with Colleen and Jerry, talking about everything from family to jobs to politics. We had a wonderful time and again found friends that we hope to cross paths with in the future. A great addition to our travels in the US. We are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful country, filled with people with such big hearts. I couldn't be happier.
Before I easily drifted off to sleep, I said to Ryan, "This is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in." I am not sure if that is necessarily true, but I slept like a log and could have slept well into the afternoon. We woke bright and early at 7:30am and had a huge breakfast waiting for us. Thank you Colleen! Full bellies and a few more hours of talking, we were back on the bikes and making our way east.
Much of our time in Wisconsin was spent on back roads that offer a bit of a shoulder, allowing us the capability to share the road with cars and logging trucks. The drivers are more often than not nice enough to give plenty of space and sometimes even the occasional wave. The terrain of Wisconsin has been farm lands giving way to lakes and rolling hills covered in evergreens and birch trees. I can only imagine how beautiful this area is come fall, riding through paths of bright yellow birch trees. The farmlands have roaming cattle and often the house and silo sit back from the road, separated by a huge green pasture of dandelions in bloom. Dandelions are mostly known as a weed, but enough of them together make for beautiful scenery.
The further east and north we traveled, the smalled and farther apart the towns became. Rare was the town over 500 people. Most homes seemed to be second homes that surrounded the lakes and sported a "Hall's Retreat" or "Glaucer's Get-a-Way" sign hanging from a post at the end of their driveway. Starting our riding 2+ years ago, we traveled with a small, light-weight pack rod that would have been perfect for this leg of our trip, but we unfortunately left it in San Diego before heading to Central America. Doesn't that always seem to be the way it works? Although we can't fish, we read by the lakes and enjoy the local fried fish in the small cafes. One restaurant even offered a bluegill omelet.
480 miles in 7 days of riding. Not too shabby. We are now currently in eastern Michigan, heading through the Upper Peninsula toward Mackinac Island. Dodging a few thunderstorms along our way, we have hit a warmer patch of weather now that has provided blue skies and winds at our backs or sides. We are loving life and are actually ahead of schedule for once in our lives. Wait, did I just say the word "schedule"? I think we need a vacation.
I'm spending a rest day in my hammock in a poshy campground in New Glasgow, PEI reading you blog in reverse order. Loving your writing and stories!
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