Day 36. Ludington, MI (Ferry Ride). 7 miles. 0 ft climb

AHHHH.....a day on the water.  An actual lazy morning---sleep late, eat late.  Crossing Lake Michigan by ferry awaits.  Boarding time was a little past 12 noon, but first, riders had to pedal 3 miles to the SS Badger---a large,  410-foot ferry built in 1952 to carry railway cars across Lake Michigan.  It’s now been converted for cars, trucks, motorcycles and, of course, bicycles.  It’s a beautiful day for a cruise — glassy smooth water and a cloudless sky.   Once boarded, people headed for deck chairs to soak up the sun, sleep, play cards, watch the seagulls and just look out on the water.

Terry Waits to Board Ferry

Boarding Time

Relaxing Time

Nap Time

The Bikes Are Stowed Below so Jim, the ABB Mechanic, Has Nothing To Do!

Terry Seems To Be The Only One Still In Bike Clothes

Terry always has very special feelings for being on large boat---they remind him of his trans-Atlantic passage on the French vessel, Flandre,  when he emigrated to the States in the 60's.   He boarded a big boat and never lived again in England.  Today's ferry also reminded him of a wonderful, but poignant trip we took to the Canadian Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Gran Manan Island) which overlapped with 9/11/2001.  So, he got teary-eyed for a little while today. 

Lake Michigan is so large, it is really like an inland sea.  

Sailing Away

 When they landed in Ludington, MI, they were now in the Eastern Time Zone.   They're pretty close to finishing this thing!

 Then, it was another 3 or so mile bike ride to their motel, a quick dinner and organization for tomorrow and then to bed.  It's an early start and a long day tomorrow, which is the last century ride of the tour--113 miles to be exact.  They will still have rides in the 90's, but the centuries are over.

Trip Stats To Date:   2,650 miles.   82,290 ft climb.    7 States.......and Rolling..............