Another day of serious up-and-down riding, this time from from Arcadia to Empire.
The elevation map shown is not drawn to scale. There is a 325′ difference between the lowest point to the highest point of the route, spread over 35 miles. I recall after I reached the point indicated by the red arrow, I literally coasted for a mile.
Below on the left is a view from a roadside scenic overlook. The very blue Lake Michigan fades into more fog this morning. Below on the right is view looking south showing the road I just ascended, as well as the hilly ground beyond.
As I got back onto my bike, the female voice of Google Maps instructed me to make a sharp left to get back onto route 22. While I paused to put on my gloves, the female voice again instructed me to make a sharp left. I impatiently replied “OK, OK I’m coming”, oblivious to the fact that I was arguing with a piece of software.
A few miles ahead, and maybe 20′ off the road, is a sign about the C. S. Mott Preserve in the Acadia Dunes area. Next to the sign is a lone apple tree. There is no orchard, farm, or residence in sight, and given its unkempt appearance, I’m guessing this is a tree that grew from a seed of some random apple that landed there.
Another former dairy farm.
It looks like there are a few beef cows in the pen on the side, and corn field in back.
I assume this is a Christmas tree farm
I passed the Graceland Fruit headquarters / processing plant. According to their website, they have multiple processing plants across the US and Canada that deliver premium flash-frozen, dried fruits. This particular plant processes blueberries and cherries.
I met Randy and Andy from Flint, Michigan. Randy said they been married 50 years, and Andy added she can’t believe they are still married. (I think she was kidding.)
Their son, now a federal judge in Chicago, is also 50. Randy said he is 68. I had already done the math before Randy explained they married at 18.
The last half-mile of Forrester Road is a 240′ drop in elevation, from about 840′ to 600′. The in-person view from the top of the hill is far more impressive than the image indicates.
I stopped at Murry’s Fruit Farm and met Brian, who told me he has a full-time job and a side activity of growing fruit. He’s a Marine veteran, and giving fresh fruit to those who can’t afford it is his way of giving back to the community.
We talked about apple trees. (He might have 200+ in his front yard.) He has some Gala apple trees, and like the one in my front yard, his are grafted onto G.935, a semi-dwarf rootstock which limits tree height to about 15′.
He gave me a bag of apples, but refused any payment. He strikes me as one of the really good people on Earth.
I dropped off my bags at the motel in Empire and headed north to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
Along the way I passed this sign. I’m not interested in fishing, but I like the name of the organization.
About 5 miles into the trail is the Dunes Climb, which is perhaps the main attraction. I understand these dunes are far more than they appear to be at first look.
However, after riding 300+ miles in the seven days, and especially after the hills of the last two days, a long hike did not appeal to me; I came, I saw, I left.
Maybe another time (when I have my car with me.)
Last thought of the day: My son Manny, on an unrelated trip this year, is visiting all the US national parks. Here’s a link to his account of his visit to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore https://www.tiktok.com/@notwaitingtolive/video/7281672807434472747