Hank – I took in the sunrise at the lake next to the campground and that’s how I met Steve who was in the same high school graduating class as me. We packed up and headed south where a bridge was closed for resurfacing. The construction guys didn’t bat an eye. They offered to carry our bikes over the regards, wire, and jagged cement and wished us well for the rest of our trip. They saved us about five miles.

We stopped in Charlotte (pronounced shar-LOT) for breakfast. I noticed the old courthouse was a museum so we went there after eating. It was closed but there are private offices inside. Janet Phillips offered up her husband, Bob, to give us a tour of the first floor. Bob showed us a huge array of photos take of locals who went into the service during WWII. There were over 600 of them. Recently they had a ceremony for the remaining veterans, 12 of them, and posted photos of them as well. Studying the pictures I could see faces full of life and hope, a few that looked battle weary, but all showing the youth and vigor that I still feel in mind even though my body has faded.

From Charlotte we cruised on quiet back country roads and then onto a state highway passing through Onondaga and then arriving at Leslie, whose motto is “The place to be.”  It looks like we’re where we’re supposed to be.

We checked with the police and the city office about camping at the city park. Everyone thought that would be okay for the night. Carrie, the woman at the city office, offered to have us tent in her back yard but we opted not to. I kind of wish we hadn’t turned her down because this is all about meeting people.

Kathy – Our 45 mile ride today was quite quaint for most of it. The vast countryside and farmlands filled our day as we travelled up and down the long rolling hills throughout the day. It was comfortable temps most of the day until the last couple hours of riding when it was sunny and in the mid 80’s. Overall it was a good ride today.

We enjoyed some really yummy ice cream in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Upon arrival to town I stopped and ask a man on the sidewalk where is the best place to get ice cream and he sent us to Turtle Tom’s Ice Cream Shop. I met Angel who bought this cute little ice cream place last year. I told her it was fantastic and she needed to raise her prices based on the low cost and large servings. She just laughed at me. This was a nice find and the ice cream hit the spot on the hot afternoon of riding.

It’s been a good day. The temps are cool this evening and not too many bugs out to devour us. We each have 15-20 bites on us from the mosquitos and black flys. I have actually had three black flies bite through my bike gloves. Every time a few bites heal we get more to make up for them. We still haven’t found anything that really keeps the bugs off our sweaty skin. The bugs just love us! Anyway, a good day of riding. Followed by an enjoyable and relaxing (bug free) evening in the park as Hank plays his ukulele.