Departure - 1: Pre-Travel Preparation

This will be my first solo vacation since 1971. The plan is to set out tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM and circumnavigate the lower peninsula of Michigan counter clockwise. I intend to document the journey with photographs and comments. A few months back I made a day trip part way up the east coast of Michigan's thumb. I got the notion to take pictures of my bike, a 1981 Honda CB750F, in front of some of the many Great Lakes' lighthouses. I spent today changing oil, lubricating, cleaning, checking, packing, and rechecking. All that is needed now is a good night's sleep. The weather is threatening rain in the morning but I should be out of that by noon. My wife, Cynthia, will be leaving later this evening to spend a few peaceful days alone in Hart on Michigan's west coast. The plan will be to join up with her on Friday evening and spend Saturday together before her return for home and my continuation down the west coast to visit my brother in St. Joseph.

Departure Wed 7/29/09

You will have to understand that this commentary is being written after the fact. This journey is now complete and being documented in retrospect. I awoke as intended at 5:30 AM, about an hour before the sun was to rise. I could hear the steady drizzle of rain on my window. I didn't need the sun to tell me that this mornings ride would require some extra care. At 6:30 suited up in rain jacket, slipped the rain covers on my luggage, kissed Cynthia goodbye and started on my first adventure. It wasn't long before unplanned event # 1 showed up. I got about 10 miles down the road and the bike started running rough. This wasn't planned but since I was so close to home I decided to baby it back home and look into the problem. When I arrived home I gave it the windex test. I grabbed a spray bottle of windex and hit each header pipe with a short blast. Sure enough, she was only running on three cylinders. My first thought was to check the plug wires but they were seated well. Next would be plugs but I had no spare plugs. So now all I could do was wait for the bike shop to open, pick up some new plugs and see if that solved the problem. By the time I got the plugs and tried a replacement it was 11:00 AM. But the plug was the issue so I packed the other 3 in my tail bag along with a plug socket, said my goodbyes again, and headed off once more amidst the raindrops. This time I had much more company on the road so it took a bit longer than expected to reach my first lighthouse. This is a photo of the Harbor Beach lighthouse on Lake Huron. Yes, I know, you need a magnifying glass to see it but they won't all be that way and there was no way I was riding out on that pier to get closer:)

Wednesday

As you can see the clouds soon departed and I was able to get a pretty decent picture of the Pt Aux Barques lighthouse at the tip of Michigan's thumb.

Thursday Morning

When I awoke Thursday I decided that it might be best to change out the other plugs and try to make a cam chain adjustment. The plugs were no problem but I quickly discovered that I had not brought a small 10mm box wrench needed to make the adjustment. I decided to keep heading north and stop at a couple of bike shops I found in the phone book until I found one that was willing to make the needed adjustment while I waited. Well, no one wanted to tough a 28 year old bike. I finally located a mechanic in Oscoda who was willing to lend me some tools to make the adjustment myself. I was able to finally loosen the the necessary nut and allow the chain to self adjust. After donating some beer money and chatting with the shop owner a bit I was finally off for another fun filled day.

Thursday Morning later

About 50 miles put me into Alpena. There I located a KMart and picked up a few tools I would need to make the cam chain adjustment again if needed. I could have done a better job of packing on this trip.

Here is a shot of a Paul Bunyan statue made from old Kaiser auto parts salvaged from Detroit junkyards. Paul is located at the Alpena Community College.





The next stop was Presque Isle. There are two lighthouses here, the new (left) and old. Clouds were starting to creep back in and I was sure there would be some rain arriving in the next hour or so.

Thursday forenoon

On to Cheboygan and it's two lighthouses. I was able to get a bit closer to the crib light (left). The range light still had to sit off in the distance a bit.

Thursday noon

I made it to Mackinaw shortly after noon. It was raining again so I decided not to take the ride over the bridge. Next year when I circle the UP I will tackle the bridge. Traffic was heavy and I couldn't get a good shot of the bridge and bike together but I did manage the lighthouse.

Thursday afternoon

My next stop was to be a restaurant named Legs Inn located in Cross Village. Cross Village is a very small village located at the west end of county road 66 north of Harbor Springs. The rain was still falling and the sky was a bit ominous. I pretty much made my mind up to pass on the Legs Inn and move on down to Harbor Springs when as I approached the C66 turn off for Cross Village my turn signal developed mind of its own and indicated a right turn. So, of course not to confuse the driver behind me, I had no choice but to make the turn and ride off west across some pretty nasty county roads toward Cross Village.

As I arrived in the 3 building village I pulled into a Mobil station and topped off. I asked where to locate Legs Inn and was told to look behind the station about 200 yards and I would see it.
Here is a picture of the restaurant.

There were quite a few bikes and I couldn't figure out why so many bikers wanted to ride the last 15 miles or so of lousy road just to eat here. I chatted a bit with a couple on a ride out of Petoskey and they declared the food to be fantastic. Some day I will go back and try it but at the time I was not hungry. I told them I was headed for Harbor Springs and then hoped to make Petoskey before night fall. They said I would have no problem and to just take M119 south out of Cross Village and it would take me directly to Harbor Springs. I thanked them and set off along 119. Not 100 yards down the road I came across a sign that read Tunnel of Trees. Slow curves next 22 miles!!! I have lived in Michigan for 55 years and had never heard of this road. I don't have pictures to do it justice. I could not stop to take them but do a google on Tunnel of Trees and you will find plenty far more beautiful than what I can contribute. Suffice it to say this 22 mile stretch of curves and dips is Michigan's own version of the Tail of the Dragon.

Thursday evening

As I pulled into Harbor Springs after that wonderfully thrilling ride through the Tunnel of Trees I took this shot over the harbor. It was now rush hour and navigating through Harbor Springs and Petoskey would be somewhat challenging. I couldn't find any mom and pop motels so I decided to push on to Charlevoix and see what I could find there. That way I woud have more time on Friday to make it through Traverse City, Old Mission Point and Northport. I located a small place just outside of Charlevoix where I called it a night.

Friday AM

This would be a busy day. The weather was supposed to be clear all the way down to Hart. I would have good weather in TC and enough time to make some side trips along the way.
I started out with the lighthouse located in Charlevoix.



I promised my best friend, Eli, I would stop at Torch Lake and skip a stone for him. I made the stop but skipping the stone turned out to be a failure. I have been recovering from tendinitis in my right shoulder and the flip of the arm was pretty painful and skipless...just one loud kerplunk.





The water was so crystal clear you could see the bottom. I was nearly tempted to refill my water bottle from it but not quite.

Friday AM later

Time for a side trip. I had read that there was a giant trout fountain in Kalkaska so I decided to head over for a photo op.

The fountain was located right next door to the Chamber of Commerce in Kalkaska so I walked over to see what other interesting photos might be waiting. I chatted a while with the two young ladies on duty. I explained what I was doing and immediately one wanted to see my bike. As we stepped out side for a look she explained how she was a new rider trying to learn. Her dad gave her a 1986 Honda 750 Magna and she was having trouble getting use to the throttle. She has been riding her friends Kaw 454 instead. We talked about the merits of older bikes. I had mentioned that I was trying to locate a house that was reportedly made from 60,000 pop bottles. They looked it up on the internet, wrote down the address for me, and I was off looking for a new unusual picture.

Friday Noon

My next stop would be the Traverse City lighthouses. The pop bottle house was further south so I could make that later in the day. After dodging the tourists through downtown TC, I headed out M37 to Old Mission Point.







The picture through the trees didn't do it justice but it does prove my presence. Here is another of the house itself.











The water level is low in Lake Michigan.

Friday Early Afternoon

Grand Traverse Lighthouse is at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. It's a long, windy ride out but well worth it.






I couldn't get the bike close enough to get a picture with the lighthouse so I got one with the outhouse...









This is the Northport Airport near the tip of the peninsula...

Friday Mid Afternoon

No trip to Michigan's west coast is complete without a picture of Sleeping Bear Dunes.






This is a picture of the Point Betsie Light in Frankfort...









And this is the Manistee North Pier Light...

Friday Late Afternoon

These are the last few pictures before meeting up with Cynthia in Hart of Friday night. The first is a yellow dinosaur that I remember seeing as a kid when vacationing in northern Michigan. It stands in front of a campground. That was probably 50 years ago or a bit more.



And this is the House of Bottles in Kaleva.

Sunday

Cynthia and I spent Saturday together enjoying the scenery and visiting Pentwater and Frankfort. Sunday I captured a few more pictures on the way to visit with my brother. Would you believe, I can't figure out which light this is?






Muskegon South Pier Light - this was a challenge. The roads leading to the lighthouse were covered with sand and the winds were strong as I drove along the beach. I thought I nearly lost it about 3 or 4 times.





You can barely see the St Joseph Light in this picture but its probably the best picture of my bike so far. Liz (my brother's wife) took this one. I believe she is a much better photographer than I.






Last but by all means not least, brother Terry (right) and I. It was good to visit with Terry and Liz. They have been in their home for 20 years and this is the first I have seen it.







One added photo...Liz sent me a close up of the St Joseph Light. Thanks, Liz.

Afterward

I learned a lot on this trip. It was my first of what I hope to be many trips. The tool list has already been revised and spark plugs added to the list. I won't put myself on such a tight schedule next time. I will spend more time and cover fewer miles. This trip was all about making the circle in the time allotted. Total miles were 1,291.
For a while I kept track of mileage and got a pretty consistent 48 - 50 mpg. Although I know I can get a good 200 miles before hitting reserve I had a tendency to start looking for stations somewhere around 140 - 150 miles out.
I have to make some improvement to the seat. It's good for about 150 - 200 miles or 4 hours; whichever comes first. As a test, I picked up a piece of 3" high density foam from Joanne Fabrics today. I will fix that to the seat with bungie cords and try it out. If it's comfy enough I will make a cover for it and try it on a longer ride so see how it helps. This winter I will probably replace the seat with a Corbin gunfighter.
I had to play with the blog post times in order to get this to post in chronological order.
I apologize for the poor picture quality and the lack of proficient writing. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Chris