Day 38 – “…Absolutely no bugs or chew spit…”

July 25, 2018

Day 38 – Mt. Pleasant to Birch Run, MI – 74 miles, 590 feet vertical.  (Think about that:  less than 10 feet of climb per mile.  Translation: flatter than flat.  But we’ve ridden over 2,800 miles total.  Less than 1,000 miles to go.  Holey Moley!!!)

First things first: a big Happy Birthday to my Mom back home in Long Island.  She is 92 years young today – while Dad is 94 and following the journey every day.  They are both Holocaust Survivors and sadly, part of a dwindling cohort of witnesses to the Shoah.  

I mailed a card a few days back, but figured a call was called for too.  She was surprised to hear from me and had, um, … forgotten where I was.  I told her I was calling her from Michigan.  “Michigan?!? What are you doing in Michigan???”  “Mom, remember, I’m riding my bike across the country.”  “You’re doing WHAT??!”  I repeated my status.  She paused and then said, “Oy!!  Why would you do that??” … Yeah, good question.  And then she added, “You’re meshuga!”  So, … I guess she still has it.  

I got a much-needed full night’s sleep last night and felt so much better this morning.  Plus, it was sunny and warm.  Plus it was a short day (74 miles).  Plus, it was flatter than flat (see calculation above).  And mostly – plus, I could breathe.  All in all, a number of success factors for a great day.  

I understand some folks are suffering withdrawal from a lack of photos from yesterday, so I will post a combined set from the best of the best from both days.  If you’re wondering about the provocative title, I will reveal to you that that is from a bonafide actual sign posted yesterday at a general store in Bitely, where we stopped for a cup of coffee.  You can read all of the rules and regulations for returning bottles and cans, but the one that stopped Tom and me in our tracks was … “absolutely no bugs or chew spit”.   I kid you not.  Chew on that for a while!  And note the use of “absolutely”.  Now that’s an Oy!

Please enjoy this double photo day as we continue to trek across Michigan, while (sorry to say) trying to avoid some serious road rage by the locals (not the farmers – they’re great.)  And check out the shrinking red dots at Where’s Jeff at jeffblye.com

The forecast for tomorrow is some serious rain.  Not happy.  Pity party, … waaaah … 

Oh, and a friendly reminder to check out my Wheels of Love page at http://www.wolusa.org/goto/jeffblye   I am deeply grateful for your support.