I’m going to start by saying I’m enjoying my Comfy Camper service, but we need to do something about the air temperature inside the tents at night.

Last night was in the low 50’s, which doesn’t sound too bad until you’ve been lying motionless in a tent in a field on an air mattress for a while. I had three layers on, plus two pair socks, wrapped as I could get, and I was still unpleasantly cold, mentally inventorying all the warm blankets I have at home which are not currently here with me.

I finally fell asleep after midnight after struggling with sleeplessness and restless legs. Not an ideal night, but as part of my rider’s pledge I vowed not to whine.

We had breakfast in the fairgrounds building, which featured dedicated folding chairs and a nice photo wall dating way back.

After breakfast, I rolled out a few minutes after 8:00, using my rain jacket as a windbreaker, because cold.

The ride was nice, not that nice, then nice again. The not nice part was the section where we had to ride on US 2, which is busy with cars, pickups, log trucks, semis, and many adventure seekers towing campers. The shoulder was wide, and there were no problems, but the sound of a log truck approaching from behind will never be a good sound.

The landscape up here reminds me of Colorado, minus the mountains of course. White pine, trembling aspens, rocky soil. They do have some very aggressive bugs up here too. Not to mention this sketchy-sounding business:

I enjoyed a lunch of sandwich and some AWESOME sweet potato waffle fries at a place called Jack’s in Rapid River. They were once again overrun by MUPsters, but they were handling it well. I shared a table with another rider who retired from GM after doing IT for them for 30-plus years. We enjoyed some good conversation.

The business next to Jack’s was a metal working gallery. It was closed, but there are some incredible creations in there.

Part of this afternoon’s trip was on back roads through farmland, even featuring knee-high corn, cows, and red barns. Also a short stretch of curved road with an 8% grade, per my Garmin. I’m pleased to report that I grinded up it successfully, without even much wheezing.

The last SAG stop of the day was at a park on the shore of Lake Michigan, whose water I did not test. It reminded me of the gulf because of the waves, but it was far less friendly-looking.

I saw this privately funded public artwork on the last leg of the route, which appeared to be the base of a dead tree mounted on a pipe:

After 64 miles, today ended at the high school here in Escanaba. Dinner was catered in and very good. The veg option was a zucchini noodle dish with vegetables, salad, garlic bread, plus some great brownies and cookies.

One unfortunate thing, I’m having a lot of pain in my left hip, and am afraid of what I’m going to wake up to. I’ve already had a nice dose of Aleve and will do some stretching tonight and in the morning.

Tomorrow will feature almost no resources (but with three SAG stops), is 74 miles, and is a gradual uphill all the way. Tomorrow’s destination, Crystal Falls, is the highest point on the UP. I’m not going to bother worrying about it, I’ll just keep pedaling, make it up that long hill, and try to enjoy the ride! That’s why I’m here. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Shoutout to my mom Terry, dad Ron, and sweet aunt Wendy following along at home. Don’t worry… I’m having fun!