Bay City, MI to North Branch, MI 62 Miles, July 8

We began riding under the threat of rain and warnings of a severe storm heading our way. Severe means lightning. Pam sped ahead as Carol and I decided to keep a steady pace and take frequent but short breaks. We had a couple of towns to stop in along our route today and enjoyed a delicious breakfast 21 miles down the road.

We have passed many farms in Michigan which have a plaque out front designating them "Michigan Centennial Farms". These farms have been worked and owned by the same family for 100 years. Today I stopped to photograph one which dates from 1856, over 150 years old. A man, who was looking out the window began questioning me about the load I was carrying. When he heard what I was doing, he was glad to allow me to take photos. He explained that his wife had inherited the farm from her grandparents and I was invited in to view photos. Because the skies were so black, I was sorry to decline his offer and got back on the road.

We did arrive in North Branch by 1:00 and the sun came out shortly after our arrival. Imagine, the weather prediction was wrong. We had a nice visit with Pastor Michael McCoy of the United Methodist Church. He then invited us to have a shower at his home and we are scheduled to go out to dinner tonight with Pastor McCoy and Lorraine Suva.

Lorraine has undertaken a project of her own. She makes special small quilts of different textures which she distributes to people in Alzheimer's facilities. She also teaches other people how to make these "blankies". She gets the materials and sewing machines donated and she has people from as far away as California asking for as many articles as she and her group can make. Lorraine saw a need and is working to fill it. Her idea seems small, but it is making a world of difference to people who have troubled minds and a need for something calming to do with their hands.

I continually remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to undertake this bicycle journey.