Tuesday 8/24 was a "rest day", and recuperation for Larry was important. Inga-Lill handled the nursing "duties", and a sore/stiff neck seemed to be the most troublesome---not surprising after the fall "split" his helmet.

8/25, overcast as they left our home, with some threat of rain. Immediately, Larry had a delay to fix a flat. Proceeding East on US 10 through the Manistee National Forest, they were shielded from the wind, and soon entered Lake County, boasting 153 lakes and 43 trout streams. This is beautiful forested land, 3 miles North of the "famous" Pere Marquette River, a fisherman's paradise. This area of Michigan provided the lumber to rebuild Chicago after Mrs. O'Leary's Cow burned it!

Entering Baldwin(pop. 821) at mid-morning, they stopped at Forbes Market for fresh(bananas for $.15/#) fruit, and met Debria, who in conversation about their trip, revealed that she was in Oakland(where the bikers started) during the "earthquake".

On to Reed City and the mandatory Pizza Hut Buffet, then to Evart(pop. 1744), to the Super 8. Testing the negotiating talent again, the manager succumbed. With discounts for AARP, biking, and I think bandages, the $99 rooms were reduced to $55.

Thursday, 8/26, continuing East on US 10, stopping at Farwell for at the Birchwood Restaurant for toast, oatmeal and fruit. five miles later, at Clare, they pick up a bike path--the Pere Marquette rails to trails---complete with wide path, picnic areas and toilets--running parallel to US 10 for 35 miles to Midland (home of Dow Chemical), and a stop for a "veggie" Subway. After lunch, on to the West side of Saginaw on MI 47. Another 78 miles in the logbook.

Friday, 8/27, and THE WEATHER CHANNEL has been warning of the thunderstorm system moving into the area. Looking out at 7:30 they see a faint light to the East and decide to try it until the rain starts. With a quartering tailwind they cross the Saginaw River on MI 46, and with 30 minutes, they have cleared the "front" and are in bright sunshine. They note that "construction areas" are posted with signage warning Fines of $7500/15 years for injuring highway construction workers--something they had not seen before Michigan.

A warm morning, and Inga-Lill is cruising in her "sports bra" as they arrive at a truck stop in Vassar for breakfast. Leaning the bikes against the wall by the picture windows, they notice the truckers with their noses to the glass taking in the view. Moving to the entrance, she put on her jacket, brushed her hair, and entering announced "here I am, all made up!"

During the stop, Will observes that every morning, Hans is up, in a good mood with a smile on his face---and suggests it may have something to do with the sleeping arrangements. To which Larry responds "I will be seeing Ann in Cambridge in a few days, where she is visiting her Father."

Continuing SE on the county road through Mayville and Silverwood to MI 53, they stop for "Friday Fish Fry", and have baked Walleye. They note that the "Thumb" still has a sugar beet industry, and many sunflower patches, as see the signs to be alert for "Amish Buggies" on the county roads.

During the meal, Inga-Lill recalls that they have seen 4 "classmates"---Garcia, Weaver, Zierdt and Miller---and all performed marvelous feats in the kitchen while preparing breakfast. She is looking into enrolling Hans in Military School---and says there will be some changes made when they return to Sweden!

The evening is spent in Lexington, on the shore of Lake Huron, 22 miles North of Port Huron. In the morning they will cross from the US at Port Huron, into Canada at Sarnia. More than 2700 miles in the book, and 11 days to West Point on Tuesday, 9/7