The first few miles were a fast downhill off the bluff and a spectacular run along the shore, pushed by a strong tailwind from the southeast. We stopped at a rest stop at the northernmost point of Lake Michigan, which marked the start of our descent around the lake toward Wisconsin.

At Naubinway, we found a grocery store, then headed straight west, away from the lake shore, which was curving noticeably to the southwest. The road ramped up gradually, gaining altitude back to what we had started at in the morning. The service stops marked on our map were largely either defunct or decrepit, but there were also some new ones.

We had made reservations at the Blaney Lodge, in Blaney Park, just north of US 2 on Michigan 77. The owner told us to stop for dinner at the “Log Cabin Restaurant” about 10 miles out. We checked at a gas station were we resupplied water and electrolyte drink, and found the exact location. We found the “Farmhouse Restaurant,” which was, of course, a log cabin, by which name the locals called it.

Another stop at a maple syrup and candy factory near our turnoff, and we headed north over a rise and up a steeper hill to the unincorporated village of Blaney Part, which consisted solely of business converted to antique shops, plus the gem of the trip, the Blaney Lodge, a bed and breakfast in a restored historic hotel, run by Herman and Lorene and their assistant, Marvin. Herman and Lorene, in their 80s, have run the B&B for 22 years and were delightful hosts, as we were the only guests on a quiet Sunday night. Although they have 15 rooms, they limit the reservations these days to what they can handle, as there only employee was about our age, as well. The previous night, there had been a number of guests. We were introduced to neighbor Bill and his wife, who came over to chat and look over our bike.

The next morning, we were treated to Herman’s special oatmeal recipe and loaded up with the leftovers for our trip west. Lorene took our picture for their wall of guest photos and we headed out into a gloomy and damp morning.