Lake Charlevoix

Today was a relaxing day.  This morning we rode into a small town called Petoskey to drop Linda off so she could pick up her car.  Then we headed to an auto parts store to purchase a headlight bulb for my bike.  Upon returning back to the Lake House we headed out to Boyne City where Cherif and Linda have their boat at the docks.  What a boat - we certainly don't see any of these boats on the Muskrat Lake!  It has two bedrooms, a kitchen and an upper deck where the skipper navigates the boat.

The wind was a bit on the strong side so we stayed within Lake Charlevoix taking a cruise all along the shore which was very relaxing.  The beautiful homes that are on this Lake are truly amazing.

We went to a quaint little restaurant in Boyne City for a late lunch and then headed back to the Lake House for a very relaxing afternoon.  Take-out pizza was the order for supper and we relaxed and watched the movie "No Country for Old Men" - very interesting and a bit quirky!

Another great adventure with these two great American guys!  I can't believe that we are still riding each summer together - I hope it continues for many years to come as besides my Uncle Ron they are great to ride along with!

All of us said our good-byes tonight as both Miles and I are heading out in the morning as each of us wakes up.  I pretty sure he will be long gone before me!  He is heading back down to Port Huron and crossing at Sarnia and then again at the Falls back into the US and I am crossing up north at Sault Ste. Marie and heading down the dreaded Hwy 17.  I hope to get home tomorrow night to enjoy the rest of my week around home.  It will be approximately 10 to 12 hour bike ride but whose counting!!

Thank you again to my hosts Cherif and Linda for making this Canadian girl feel right at home!  And thanks again to Miles for being the in-house mechanic - you never have to ask if he needs help because it is usually done before you even think about it.  Thanks again guys for another wonderful adventure!

Ludington to Lake Charlevoix

This morning we had kickstands up at 9:00 am.  I seemed to be tired today even though I had a great sleep.  The weather wasn't the greatest - a little cool and rainy at times but we were dressed for it - at least after an hour of shivering we were dressed for it!!

The ride through this part of Michigan is beautiful and the roads were very good compared to the ride from Port Huron to Ludington where they were bumpy and not well maintained.  We arrived in Charlevoix for lunch at a very cute eatery.  As this part of Michigan is famous for its White Fish I decided to have fish and chips.  The fish was very good - light and tasty.  As we were getting on our bikes three or four couples were rounding the corner and were very excited to see our Harley's and wanted to take pictures!  It turns out they are from France.  Very nice people and of course we were more than happy to accommodate them.  I told them I was heading to France next year but was unsure of the exact places that I would be going but that I would be travelling through the mountains.  They indicated that I would absolutely love it.

The view from my window

The ride from Charlevoix around Lake Charlevoix to Horton Bay where Linda and Cherif live was a really nice ride.  There lake house is absolutely beautiful.  I feel like I have arrived in a magazine!  It was a relaxing afternoon watching a ball game as Cherif loves to watch the Detroit Tigers play and is a big fan.  For supper we were treated to steak, baked potatoes, salad, and ice cream with strawberries.  All cooked and done to perfection.

Cherif and Linda's lake house

After supper we watched a very funny movie Burn After Reading written, produced, edited and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.

Tomorrow we are heading out on the boat or yacht - not sure what you would call a 40 foot boat for a  tour to have lunch and back.  I am very much looking forward to it and should be very scenic and the weather should cooperate.

One other small item we need to do is get my headlight fixed on my bike as the bulb blew so thankfully the handyman Miles is up for the task and deserves a big thank you again for helping me out.

Ferry from Milwaukee back to Ludington, Michigan

We came we saw and we are on our way home.  This morning we didn't get going until around 10:00 am as we did not need to catch the ferry until 2:00 pm.  It was relaxing morning then headed out to one last Harley Davidson Dealer on the road and there were some great deals on the 110th Anniversary clothes.

We stopped and had a quick bite to eat at a Hardy's which I had never been to before - great service for a fast food place and good food.  We arrived at the ferry in time to load and get our bikes tied down and ready for sailing.  The ferry ride seemed a little longer this time even though it was just on time.  Perhaps it was because it is nearing the end of the trip rather than the start of the trip.

As we departed the ferry it just started to sprinkle a bit and I was very glad we had booked rooms at the Holiday Inn Express in Ludington again tonight.  Had supper and then I went down to do my laundry as I am running out of clean clothes!  While I was waiting for the dryer to be available I figured the person that had put their blanket, socks and camisole in would be back shortly after it was finished - but of course they didn't - so I went ahead took them out and folded them so I could put mine in.  She was very rude when she finally arrived thinking I had actually taken her stuff out and put mine in on her dime!!  Wow - how long did she think she had the dryer for anyway!

Well up and on the road for 9:00 am and we will be heading up Hwy 31 to Cherif and Linda's cottage.  I am sure it is beautiful.  Then heading home Tuesday - now whether I go home through Canada or the US is still up for debate but I am leaning Canada and then I should be home on Tuesday night - so I can relax the rest of my vacation and perhaps get some things done around the house that I have been wanting to do - or not!!

HD Parade and Kid Rock!!!!!!

This morning Skip stayed back at the hotel to await his wife, Linda arrive as Miles and I headed out to the Harley Davidson Anniversary Parade.  Wow is all I can say - approximatley 6,000 bikes rode through it was truly amazing.

The OPP was here showing off their motorcycle skills and impressed everyone along the route.  A number of other police and their motorcycles were here along with some military veterans who received a huge round of applause from everyone.  There were young and old, women and men riding the Harley Davidson's some decked out while others were classical  and plain.  There were old bikes and brand new 2014 bikes.  Men, women, children and pets were all passengers on some bikes.  There were trikes and bikes with sidecars.

One guy who had his child in the side car and his wife on the back drove with the sidecar tipped up in the air half way down the street - now that takes balance.  People along the street were so excited to see all the bikers and were very appreciative of Harley Davidson riders.

After leaving the parade before it was over Miles and I headed to the House of Harley Davidson Dealers.  It was perfect timing as we were able to get great parking and the crowd wasn't too big and we could actually navigate through the vendors without getting bumped all the time.  We headed back to the hotel to meet up with Skip and Linda and headed out for lunch.  There was discussion about what to do this evening and we talked about going to a movie later.

For me, that didn't happen as I received a text from Robyn Bush who I had met along with her husband on Route 66.  She invited me to go to the Kid Rock concert.  Truly amazing - what a blast - the music was amazing.  Everyone was on their feet the whole concert.    I didn't realize I knew so many songs by Kid Rock - I guess I am a rebel.  LOL  Thanks again Robyn for making the final night at the 110th very memorial.  Oh, and by the way I rode by myself downtown and back without getting lost and I had great parking within twenty feet of the gate!!  $5.00 parking was well worth it tonight!  I am still tickled with myself for doing that all on my own!!!!

On the way into the Summerfest grounds there was an area you could get your picture taken and  you gave the camera to a staff member who took the picture for a tip - so he took mine but he wanted in my picture to so he handed it off to the next person in line!!

What a crazy guy!


Tomorrow we head to the ferry and back to Ludington for the night and then off to Skip and Linda's lake house for a night or two.  Should be fun!!

Harley Davidson Museum

Today we headed out to the Harley Davidson Museum which we had tickets for 9:00 am.  We were certainly glad that we had reserved tickets for the morning because once we got out the place was packed.  The museum was amazing, the history that has been preserved from the beginning of Harley Davidson is spectacular.  Bikes identified by year outlining all the changes each year as they were implemented.  You can see how the different challenges that America was experiencing also formed part of the changes and challenges that occurred for Harley Davidson.

After departing the museum there were several vendors outside that had paintings, museum t-shirts and again the 2014 line up of bikes.  As I was wandering through the vendors I came across Allan Frankhauser who is one of the HOG employees that organized the Route 66 and Rock Rhythm and Blues trip with HOG that I have attended in the past.  Always amazes me that you can be in the middle of thousands of people and you can meet up with people that you know!!  Allan indicated that there were several people from the Route 66 trip there and a few more that were coming in later today for the weekend.  

Bike signed by H-D employes on the 100th Anniversary

After leaving the Museum we headed to one of the dealers which had a number of vendors outside and music playing as well.  It is quite a party that happens here!  Once we had parked our bikes and walked quite a piece to get to the dealer we decided it was too hot and too crowded to actually enjoy anything so we did a quick tour through the vendors and headed back to the bikes.  On the way there was a guy that was driving a side by side that worked there.  I asked if he was going my way and would he mind if I hopped on!!  YES - I am so lucky as I got delivered right to my bike and smiled as we passed the guys walking back to the bikes.  As my dad always says - it never hurts to ask!

The weather was extremely hot today and the news reported that it had gotten as hot as 105 degrees which was truly tasking by mid-afternoon.  We headed back to the hotel where I immediately went to the room and had a shower to cool off and had a nap.  While I was napping a thunderstorm came through and cooled everything down.  

Went for supper at the Cheesecake Factory which thankfully had a skinnylicious menu for under 500 calories.  Unfortunately they did not have the same for the dessert so I did not have dessert even though the cheesecakes looked amazing.  Tonight I took a walk down to the Walgreens around the corner and upon my return ended up speaking with some guys that were outside the hotel.  Very nice guys from Idaho and of course we talked bikes, tours and more bikes!  Always fun comparing stories.    Tomorrow we head to the parade and then to pick up Cherif's wife who will arrive around noon.  Then we will see from there.  

Ferry Ride and day one in Milwaukee (not complete having difficulty will update later)

Bikes still coming on board. 

This morning we were up early to get to the ferry on time and line up with all the other bikers.  I have to say the SS Badger staff are very organized and very professional.  They have security checking for weapons and explosives to ensure a safe passage.  Three check in points before you even get on the ferry.  It wasn't too bad riding the bike onto the ferry and again have to thank Miles for helping me out tying down my bike.

Ferry ride was four hours but very relaxed and I was able to sit back and relax in the sun until it was too hot.  Met lots of bikers including a very nice couple from Germany.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

  

Miles and Cherif relaxing on the ferry.  We all had a great time -catching up with each other over the past year.  It didn't take too long to get off the ferry and start out on the highway and headed to Milwaukee which was about an hour away.  Some of the highway overhead signs even indicated to share the road with the motorcycles as they were experiencing heavy motorcycle traffic!

The Holiday Inn Express here has really gone all out.  They have special motorcycle parking and bike washes.  They even had food set out, water and lemonade.  We all received gift bags upon arriving - very much appreciated.  After checking in and checking my email we headed down to the lake front.

The lake front had all kinds of events.  Music was great we were able to get our HOG pin, take a good looson  poster for the 110th

k at the 2014 Harley's and I made my mark on the Harley website as well as the Harley Davidon

Ludington, Michigan

This morning was a very early jaunt.  Up early and on the road by 6:00 am!  Thanks again Ron and Laura you both were great hosts and it was awesome catching up.

I was going to hit the back roads again but decided just to get going so I headed out on the 401 to London to meet up with Miles.  I arrived at 8:00 am right on time!  It was great to see Miles and get going back on the road to Ludington, Michigan.  It rained a bit on the way but did not dampen our spirits.

I had a good chuckle as we were going over the bridge from Canada to the US in Sarnia as I was remembering that Miles hates bridges.  He was speeding across like there was no tomorrow.  LOL.  I still can't get over the colour of the water it is a bright blue like you would see further south.

The roads were a little rougher than I remember riding through Michigan.  Some of the areas were very run down and abandoned.  The ride itself was uneventful and lots of highway instead of backroads today.  As we were heading on Hwy 10 we noticed a trike at one of the rest stops and sure enough it was Skip!!  I had a big wave and surprised Skip that it just wasn't another biker waving but it was me!  We did a quick turn around so that Skip could join in the ride the rest of the way to Ludington.  You just never know who you might meet on the road.   I had a big smile as it was nice to have the whole gang together for another adventure again and am very thankful these guys let me join them each year.

After arriving at the hotel I did a quick wash of my very dirty bike!!  I was also able to scoot to Staples to purchase an adapter to allow me to transfer my pictures from my camera SD card to my iPad.  Works great!  We headed out for supper down near the wharf and checked out the ferry that was coming in at 7:00 pm.  It was interesting to see all the locals that come out to watch the ferry unload each night.  This will be the biggest ferry that we ride the bikes onto.  Tomorrow morning will come quick again as we are meeting for breakfast at 7 and then heading out to line up for the ferry ride over to Milwaukee.  I can't wait to attend the anniversary celebrations I am sure we are in for lots of entertainment and good times.