Pappy Smith's Adventure Continues

Good evening all! I am home for now from my bicycle trip up to Mackinaw then down to Traverse and up to Leland.  Total 650 miles. Pam picked me up in Leland. I had a great time visiting with my nephew Andy and is wife Amy and there beautiful twins Max and Claire plus baby Eleanor.  What a beautiful family! I was able to help them build a deck on the back of there house so they have more room for the children to play and the adults to unwind. Also put steps on the driveway side of there front porch.  It was alot of work but I truly enjoyed being there to help. Amy's parents let me stay in there cottage while I was there. Bob and Arden are some wonderful people! They really help out with the children! They truly are a blessing for Andy and Amy. I also got to visit with Amy's sister Beatty and her husband John and there children Rook and Biggs. I hope I spelled his name correctly.  We truly had some good times together either sitting around talking or over dinner or out drinkin

Good morning all, I arrived in Leland monday afternoon  at Amy and Andy's.  Planned on being here visiting and helping them build a deck off the back of there house. Andy works days and coaches soccer 3 nights a week. So during the week a slow process to get it laid out and dug out. Saturday we got all the framing in and started laying out the deck boards. Doing a picture frame on the outside so a little time consuming to make sure its right. We will start on the deck about 12:30 today and see how much we can get done. Just wanted to let everyone know doing well and still might get in a couple more days of riding before I head home. Beautiful children of Amy and Andy's. Eleanor, Max and Claire. Love my family! Good day God Bless

Today I was up at 6:00 am. Made my coffee and oatmeal.  After breakfast packed up and headed out.28 mile ride to Leland today and 1/2 of it was a bike trail. Meet 2 guys going the other way. I believe Tom and Tim. Father son. The left Suttons Bay and were headed for Charlevoix.  Arrived about 1 pm in Leland.  Stopped in town for lunch and a drink. After lunch rodr my bike to Amy's parents where theh are putting me up to we get Andy's deck built. Max, Claire and Eleanor are getting so big and cute. Not sure how long I be here so I dont know if I will blog every day. Good night God Bless

Got up around 6:30am to start packing up. Got everything but the tent packed was waiting for the sun to dry it a bit so I had my coffee and oatmeal. I was on the road by 8 :10am. What a great morning to ride.  I rode St Rt 31 in to Traverse City.  When I got close to town I had no berm and no sidewalks.  Rode in the rode and a few people were not happy about it. As soon as I got to a sidewalk I got off the main road. A little scary for a bit there. Arrived Traverse City State Park around noonish.  Will be here for the night then up to Leland tomorrow.  Not sure how long I will be staying there yet. My nephew Andy talked about building a deck.  Still might be able to ride south a bit before heading home on the 18th. A good 30 mile ride today and a 28 mile ride tomorrow. Still feeling great!! Sti working on getting in shape. Almost z month of riding and only 1 day with a headache on the trip. Plan on making a couple blogs to post a few pictures.  Good night God Bless

Today started well! Heading out of campground meet up with 2 bicyclists heading to New Orleans. I was only going to ride 26 miles but decided to ride 20 miles further so I could make Traverse City tomorrow. The other couple were from France and only riding 26 miles today. We parted ways and I headed towards Barnes campground. Today turned out to be  warm day. Stopped and had lunch in Charlevoix.  Headed on for about 12-13 miles stopped for about a 1/2 hr to cool off and fill water jugs. Got to Barnes campground and they were full also but let me set up in the over flow section. What I can tell beautiful campground.  Wi explore later after charge phone and other devices. Still dont have wifi or great cell service. Will try and post a couple pictures today. Good night God Bless

Just a quick blog. No power to recharge and very little reception. Just wanted to thank Pam for coming up and bringing Maddee and Heather.  Had a great time in Mackinaw City and on Mackinaw Island. Pam dropped me off and I rode 22 miles to Petoskey State Park.  Will spend the night here then on to Charlevoix for tomorrow night. Sending no pictures till I have a good wifi connection. Doing great slowly getting in shape. Good night God Bless